Guide: Explore the Star Trek Universe Chronologically

Embark on a Timeless Trek: A Comprehensive Guide to the Star Trek Universe

Since its 1966 debut, Star Trek has captivated audiences worldwide, expanding into a vast multimedia franchise. Navigating this expansive universe can be challenging, so this guide offers two viewing paths: chronological and release order. Paramount+ provides convenient access to most Star Trek content.

This guide presents a mostly spoiler-free chronological timeline, allowing you to enjoy the unfolding narrative without major plot reveals. A release-order list is also provided.

Chronological Viewing Order:

1. Star Trek: Enterprise (2151-2155): Witness humanity's early steps into interstellar exploration with Captain Jonathan Archer and the NX-01. This prequel series showcases a less technologically advanced era, focusing on first contact with various alien species.

   Star Trek: Enterprise UPN September 26, 2001

2. Star Trek: Discovery: Seasons 1 & 2 (2256-2258): Set a decade before The Original Series, follow Commander Michael Burnham's journey amidst a Klingon war. Note: Seasons 3-5 jump significantly forward in time.

   Star Trek: Discovery Paramount+ January 7, 2018

3. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2259-TBD): A prequel to The Original Series, featuring Captain Christopher Pike and the Enterprise NCC-1701. Explores the stories of familiar faces and introduces new characters.

   Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Paramount+ May 5, 2022

4. Star Trek: The Original Series (2265-2269): The iconic series that started it all, featuring Captain Kirk, Spock, and the crew of the Enterprise on their five-year mission.

   Star Trek: The Original Series NBC September 8, 1966

5. Star Trek Animated Series (2269-2270): Continues the adventures of the original Enterprise crew in animated form.

   Star Trek: The Animated Series NBC September 8, 1973

6. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (2270s): The first Star Trek film, bringing back the original crew to face a mysterious alien entity.

   Star Trek: The Motion Picture Paramount Pictures December 7, 1979

7. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (2285): A critically acclaimed sequel pitting Kirk and the Enterprise against the genetically engineered Khan.

   Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Paramount Pictures June 4, 1982

8. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (2285): The crew embarks on a mission to recover Spock's katra.

   Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Paramount Pictures June 1, 1984

9. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (2286 & 1986): Time travel takes center stage as the Enterprise crew journeys to 1986 San Francisco.

   Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Paramount Pictures November 26, 1986

10. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (2287): The Enterprise crew confronts Sybok's quest for God.

    Star Trek V: The Final Frontier Paramount Pictures June 9, 1989

11. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (2293): The final film featuring the original cast, focusing on Klingon-Federation relations.

    Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Paramount Pictures December 6, 1991

12. Star Trek: Section 31 (2326): (Consider skipping this one based on critical reception).

    Star Trek: Section 31 Paramount+ January 24, 2025

13. Star Trek: The Next Generation (2364-2370): Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D explore the galaxy.

    Star Trek: The Next Generation September 28, 1987

14. Star Trek: Generations (2293 & 2371): A crossover featuring both Kirk and Picard.

    Star Trek: Generations Paramount Pictures November 18, 1994

15. Star Trek: First Contact (2373): The Enterprise-D confronts the Borg.

    Star Trek: First Contact Paramount Pictures November 22, 1996

16. Star Trek: Insurrection (2375): Picard and his crew defend a peaceful alien civilization.

    Star Trek: Insurrection Paramount Pictures December 11, 1998

17. Star Trek: Nemesis (2379): The final TNG film, featuring a Picard clone.

    Star Trek: Nemesis Paramount Pictures December 13, 2002

18. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (2369-2375): Set on a space station near a wormhole, this series explores Bajoran-Cardassian relations and the Dominion War.

    Star Trek: Deep Space Nine January 3, 1993

19. Star Trek: Voyager (2371-2378): Captain Janeway and her crew are stranded in the Delta Quadrant.

    Star Trek: Voyager UPN January 16, 1995

20. Star Trek: Lower Decks (2380-2382): An animated comedy focusing on the lower-deck crew.

    Star Trek: Lower Decks Paramount+ August 6, 2020

21. Star Trek: Prodigy (2383-2385): A 3D animated series following a group of young aliens.

    Star Trek: Prodigy Netflix October 28, 2021

22. Star Trek: Picard (2399-2402): A sequel series featuring Picard and many returning TNG characters.

    Star Trek: Picard Paramount+ January 23, 2020

23. Star Trek: Discovery: Seasons 3, 4, & 5 (3188-3191): The final seasons of Discovery jump far into the future.

    Star Trek: Discovery Paramount+ January 7, 2018

Release Order Viewing: (List omitted for brevity, but follows the order presented in the original text).

Upcoming Star Trek Projects: Several new projects are in development.

Remember to check streaming services for availability. Enjoy your journey through the Star Trek universe!