GameTimeline

Watch order

Star Trek watch order

Paramount's Star Trek from The Original Series (1966) through Strange New Worlds and Starfleet Academy (2026). Release lists each series as one row plus every feature film (including Kelvin and Section 31). Story reorders into Prime chronology—Enterprise first, Discovery split across eras, Kelvin films tagged optional at the end. Short Treks stay FAQ-only. Sci-fi neighbors: Star Wars movies, Dune.

Updated August 2026

Pick your path:

Classic TOS films TNG films Kelvin trilogy Modern streaming Full release list

Where to start

Pick Classic films for six TOS movies, TNG films for four Next Gen theatricals, Kelvin trilogy for the reboot movies, or Modern streaming for Discovery through Starfleet Academy series rows.

  • First series binge → start TOS on Release, or Enterprise on Story
  • Film runtimes power marathon totals—series have no minute totals here
  • Kelvin is optional alternate—not required for Picard

Release order

When each series and film premiered in the US—from TOS (1966) through Starfleet Academy (2026). One row per series (not per episode); films listed individually.

  • Newcomers → Release order from TOS (classic path) or Discovery→SNW (modern path)
  • Film marathon → TOS six then TNG four; Kelvin optional
  • Skip Animated / Lower Decks / Prodigy on first pass if desired
  • Short Treks → FAQ only
Story order tips

Prime chronology: Enterprise → early Discovery → Strange New Worlds → TOS → films → TNG era → Picard → far-future Discovery → Starfleet Academy. Kelvin trilogy is optional parallel at the end.

  • Earliest → Enterprise (22nd century)
  • Pike era → Discovery S1–2 then Strange New Worlds then TOS
  • 24th century → TNG → DS9/VOY overlaps → Picard
  • Far future → Discovery S3–5 → Starfleet Academy

Timeline

0/26 watched

When each season premiered in the US. Expand a row for dates and where it fits in your watch order.

About ~26h 50m for 14 titled entries with runtime data

Release order

  1. Star Trek: The Original Series

    Star Trek: The Original Series

    TVStreamingSeriesTOS era

    The Original Series (1966–1969) launches Kirk, Spock, and McCoy—three seasons that invent the franchise's optimism, transporter beeps, and prime-time moral allegories.

    Overview
    Network SF serialized as planet-of-the-week morality plays. Still the cultural root every later captain answers.
    Related games
    One row for the whole series—not episode lists. Films TMP–VI continue this cast.
    Where it fits
    Release-order start for newcomers. Then Animated Series or jump to the six TOS films.
    Premiere dates
    US NBC premiere September 8, 1966; three seasons. Streaming on Paramount+.
  2. Star Trek: The Animated Series
    Optional

    Star Trek: The Animated Series

    TVStreamingSeriesOptionalTOS era

    The Animated Series (1973–1974) continues the Enterprise crew in Saturday-morning form—often treated as soft-canon adventures between TOS and the movies.

    Overview
    Filmation animation with original voice cast. Short episodes fill character gaps cheaply.
    Related games
    Optional Release row. Story tab places it after TOS, before The Motion Picture.
    Where it fits
    Optional—skip on a first watch; include for completionists after TOS.
    Premiere dates
    US NBC September 8, 1973; two seasons.
  3. Star Trek: The Motion Picture

    Star Trek: The Motion Picture

    TheatricalStreamingFilmTOS era

    The Motion Picture (1979) returns Kirk's crew to the big screen against V'Ger—slow, spectacular, and the bridge into six theatrical TOS films.

    Overview
    2001-inspired visual tone and a mystery-ship plot that feels closer to hard SF than later action entries.
    Related games
    TOS film #1. Runtime ~132 min theatrical.
    Where it fits
    First theatrical film—watch after TOS (and optional TAS). Leads into Wrath of Khan.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical December 7, 1979.
  4. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

    Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

    TheatricalStreamingFilmTOS era

    The Wrath of Khan (1982) is the franchise's most-cited film—Khan Noonien Singh, Genesis, and Spock's sacrifice redefine Trek as character drama.

    Overview
    Naval duel structure and Ricardo Montalbán's Khan set the template for later movie stakes.
    Related games
    TOS film #2. Runtime ~113 min.
    Where it fits
    Essential TOS film. Watch after The Motion Picture; never skip before III–IV.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical June 4, 1982.
  5. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

    Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

    TheatricalStreamingFilmTOS era

    The Search for Spock (1984) continues Genesis fallout—Kirk steals the Enterprise to recover Spock's katra on Vulcan.

    Overview
    Direct sequel energy; Genesis planet and Klingon antagonist Kruge bridge II to IV.
    Related games
    TOS film #3. Runtime ~105 min.
    Where it fits
    Required after II; pairs as a two-film arc with Voyage Home.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical June 1, 1984.
  6. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

    Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

    TheatricalStreamingFilmTOS era

    The Voyage Home (1986) sends the crew to 1980s San Francisco for humpback whales—the warmest, funniest classic film.

    Overview
    Time-travel fish-out-of-water comedy without abandoning Trek ethics.
    Related games
    TOS film #4. Runtime ~119 min.
    Where it fits
    Capstone of the II–IV trilogy. Watch after III.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical November 26, 1986.
  7. Star Trek: The Next Generation

    Star Trek: The Next Generation

    TVStreamingSeriesTNG era

    The Next Generation (1987–1994) reboots the franchise with Picard, Data, and the Enterprise-D—seven seasons that define 24th-century Trek.

    Overview
    Ensemble bridge drama, Holodeck stories, and Borg/Q mythology that later shows still mine.
    Related games
    One row for all seasons. Overlaps DS9/Voyager—watch series in Release order for first pass.
    Where it fits
    Start the 24th-century block here on Release. Films Generations–Nemesis follow the cast.
    Premiere dates
    US syndication premiere September 28, 1987; seven seasons.
  8. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
    Optional

    Star Trek V: The Final Frontier

    TheatricalStreamingFilmTOS eraOptional

    The Final Frontier (1989) sends Sybok toward Sha Ka Ree—widely seen as the weakest TOS film but still part of the theatrical six.

    Overview
    Campy God-quest tone; optional for quality-first binges.
    Related games
    TOS film #5. Runtime ~107 min.
    Where it fits
    Optional on Essentials classic path—include for completionists between IV and VI.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical June 9, 1989.
  9. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

    Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

    TheatricalStreamingFilmTOS era

    The Undiscovered Country (1991) closes Kirk's crew with Klingon peace talks and a conspiracy thriller—strong farewell before TNG films take over.

    Overview
    Cold War allegory and courtroom beats that fans rank near Wrath of Khan.
    Related games
    TOS film #6. Runtime ~110 min.
    Where it fits
    Final TOS theatrical film. Watch after V (or skip V and go IV→VI).
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical December 6, 1991.
  10. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

    Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

    TVStreamingSeriesTNG era

    Deep Space Nine (1993–1999) parks the franchise on a frontier station—serialized Dominion War storytelling that still feels modern.

    Overview
    Long-form arcs, Bajoran politics, and darker moral questions than planet-of-the-week TNG.
    Related games
    One row for the series. Overlaps TNG S6–7 and Voyager.
    Where it fits
    Begins during late TNG. First-timers: finish early TNG, then start DS9 alongside later TNG seasons—or watch TNG→DS9→Voyager straight.
    Premiere dates
    US premiere January 3, 1993; seven seasons.
  11. Star Trek Generations

    Star Trek Generations

    TheatricalStreamingFilmTNG era

    Generations (1994) hands the torch from Kirk to Picard via the Nexus—first TNG theatrical film.

    Overview
    Passing-of-the-torch structure bridging TOS and TNG casts.
    Related games
    TNG film #1. Runtime ~118 min.
    Where it fits
    Watch after TNG series (or after TNG S7). Then First Contact.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical November 18, 1994.
  12. Star Trek: Voyager

    Star Trek: Voyager

    TVStreamingSeriesTNG era

    Voyager (1995–2001) strands Janeway's crew in the Delta Quadrant—seven seasons of get-home plotting and Seven of Nine-era reinvention.

    Overview
    Isolated-ship format with Kazon/Borg/Species 8472 threats; later seasons tighten serialization.
    Related games
    One row for the series. Ends before Nemesis.
    Where it fits
    Premiere overlaps DS9. First path: after TNG, parallel or after early DS9—Release order still works.
    Premiere dates
    US premiere January 16, 1995; seven seasons.
  13. Star Trek: First Contact

    Star Trek: First Contact

    TheatricalStreamingFilmTNG era

    First Contact (1996) is the Borg invasion movie—time travel to Cochrane's warp flight and Picard's darkest revenge beat.

    Overview
    Action-horror Trek peak for the TNG cast; often ranked the best TNG film.
    Related games
    TNG film #2. Runtime ~111 min.
    Where it fits
    Essential after Generations. Watch before Insurrection.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical November 22, 1996.
  14. Star Trek: Insurrection
    Optional

    Star Trek: Insurrection

    TheatricalStreamingFilmTNG eraOptional

    Insurrection (1998) sends the Enterprise to a Ba'ku youth planet—lighter TNG film many treat as optional.

    Overview
    Ethical dilemma plot with resort-planet vibes between First Contact and Nemesis.
    Related games
    TNG film #3. Runtime ~103 min.
    Where it fits
    Optional quality-wise; include for full TNG theatrical set.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical December 11, 1998.
  15. Star Trek: Enterprise

    Star Trek: Enterprise

    TVStreamingSeriesPrequel

    Enterprise (2001–2005) jumps to the 22nd century—Archer's NX-01 before the Federation, Temporal Cold War, and Xindi arc.

    Overview
    Prequel ship show that ends with Federation founding. Later seasons improve after a rocky start.
    Related games
    One row for the series. Story-tab opener for chronology binge.
    Where it fits
    On Release: after Voyager era. On Story: earliest main timeline series—watch first on chronology path.
    Premiere dates
    US premiere September 26, 2001; four seasons.
  16. Star Trek Nemesis

    Star Trek Nemesis

    TheatricalStreamingFilmTNG era

    Nemesis (2002) closes the TNG film era with Shinzon and a Romulan clone war—soft endpoint before Kelvin reboot films.

    Overview
    Darker tone and Data-focused stakes; mixed reviews but required for theatrical completion.
    Related games
    TNG film #4. Runtime ~116 min.
    Where it fits
    Last TNG film on Release. Story places it after late 24th-century series.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical December 13, 2002.
  17. Star Trek (2009)
    Optional

    Star Trek (2009)

    TheatricalStreamingFilmKelvin timelineOptional

    Star Trek (2009) reboots Kirk and Spock in the Kelvin timeline—JJ Abrams lens flares and a parallel continuity from Nero's arrival.

    Overview
    Origin-story energy for a new cast; alternate timeline flagged on both tabs.
    Related games
    Kelvin film #1. Runtime ~127 min.
    Where it fits
    Optional alternate—not required for Prime timeline. Watch as a trilogy with Into Darkness and Beyond.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical May 8, 2009.
  18. Star Trek Into Darkness
    Optional

    Star Trek Into Darkness

    TheatricalStreamingFilmKelvin timelineOptional

    Into Darkness (2013) continues the Kelvin crew against a Khan reimagining—divisive sequel in the Abrams trilogy.

    Overview
    Blockbuster action remix of classic Khan beats in alternate continuity.
    Related games
    Kelvin film #2. Runtime ~132 min.
    Where it fits
    Optional after 2009 reboot. Skip if Prime-only.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical May 16, 2013.
  19. Star Trek Beyond
    Optional

    Star Trek Beyond

    TheatricalStreamingFilmKelvin timelineOptional

    Beyond (2016) strands the Kelvin Enterprise on an alien world—Justin Lin directs the trilogy's most adventure-forward entry.

    Overview
    Ensemble rescue plot with Krall; soft endpoint for Kelvin theatricals as of 2026.
    Related games
    Kelvin film #3. Runtime ~122 min.
    Where it fits
    Optional Kelvin finale. No required Prime connection.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical July 22, 2016.
  20. Star Trek: Discovery

    Star Trek: Discovery

    StreamingSeriesModern

    Discovery (2017–2024) relaunches streaming Trek—Burnham, the spore drive, and a jump from the 2250s into the 32nd century across five seasons.

    Overview
    Serialized prestige tone; seasons 1–2 sit near TOS era, seasons 3–5 far future (see Story split).
    Related games
    One Release row; Story uses two lanes for era jump.
    Where it fits
    Release opener for modern Trek. Story tab splits early vs far-future seasons.
    Premiere dates
    US CBS All Access / Paramount+ premiere September 24, 2017; five seasons.
  21. Star Trek: Picard

    Star Trek: Picard

    StreamingSeriesModernTNG era

    Picard (2020–2023) returns Jean-Luc decades after Nemesis—three seasons culminating in a TNG reunion finale.

    Overview
    Legacy-cast nostalgia with modern serialization; S3 is widely recommended even if S1–2 mixed.
    Related games
    One row for all seasons. Story places after late 24th century.
    Where it fits
    Watch after TNG films (and preferably after DS9/VOY familiarity). Modern essentials include it.
    Premiere dates
    US premiere January 23, 2020; three seasons.
  22. Star Trek: Lower Decks
    Optional

    Star Trek: Lower Decks

    StreamingSeriesAnimatedOptional

    Lower Decks (2020–2024) is adult animated comedy about California-class underdogs—five seasons of Trek deep cuts and workplace jokes.

    Overview
    Sitcom pacing with surprising continuity gifts for lifelong fans.
    Related games
    Animated—one row. Skip on serious-first paths.
    Where it fits
    Optional tone break after Picard era events. Chronology: early 2380s after Nemesis.
    Premiere dates
    US premiere August 6, 2020; five seasons (ended 2024).
  23. Star Trek: Prodigy
    Optional

    Star Trek: Prodigy

    StreamingSeriesAnimatedOptional

    Prodigy (2021–2024) is kid-friendly CGI Trek with Dal's young crew and a Janeway hologram—two seasons bridging Discovery-era accessibility.

    Overview
    All-ages entry that still respects Voyager lore.
    Related games
    Animated—one row. FAQ for streaming homes.
    Where it fits
    Optional—great for families. Chronology mid-2380s-ish after Lower Decks start.
    Premiere dates
    US premiere October 28, 2021 (Paramount+/Netflix windows vary); two seasons.
  24. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

    Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

    StreamingSeriesModernTOS era

    Strange New Worlds (2022–) follows Pike's Enterprise before Kirk—episodic optimism that many call the best modern Trek tone.

    Overview
    Case-of-the-week revival with musical/episode experiments; ongoing as of 2026.
    Related games
    One row for the series to date—not per-season spam.
    Where it fits
    Watch after Discovery S2 setup or on chronology after early Discovery. Ongoing—check Paramount+ for new seasons.
    Premiere dates
    US premiere May 5, 2022; ongoing (S4 expected 2026).
  25. Star Trek: Section 31
    Optional

    Star Trek: Section 31

    StreamingFilmModernOptional

    Section 31 (2025) is a Paramount+ film with Michelle Yeoh's Georgiou—spy-thriller tone in the Lost Era gap between TOS films and TNG.

    Overview
    Standalone streaming movie; reception mixed—optional for completionists.
    Related games
    Streaming film—not theatrical. Runtime ~95 min.
    Where it fits
    Optional. Story places ~2330s before TNG. Skip on first Prime binge if desired.
    Premiere dates
    US Paramount+ January 24, 2025.
  26. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

    Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

    StreamingSeriesModern

    Starfleet Academy (2026–) continues 32nd-century Trek after late Discovery—cadets in the far future on Paramount+.

    Overview
    Young-cast academy format tied to Discovery's future setting.
    Related games
    One row for the series launch. Neighbor sci-fi shelves: /dune, /star-wars-movies.
    Where it fits
    Newest series as of 2026—watch after Discovery far-future seasons on Story path.
    Premiere dates
    US premiere January 15, 2026; ongoing.

FAQ

Release vs chronology, Kelvin timeline, TNG/DS9/VOY overlap, Discovery time jump, and what we exclude.

Watch order

Release order matches how audiences met each captain—best for first watches. Chronological (Story) starts with Enterprise and can spoil later reveals (especially Discovery's future jump). Use Story for rewatches.

Timelines & eras

They are an alternate timeline created in the 2009 film. On Release they sit between Nemesis and Discovery. On Story they are tagged optional at the end—watch as a separate trilogy anytime; they are not required before Picard or Strange New Worlds.

Seasons 1–2 are set in the 2250s; from Season 3 onward the crew lives in the 32nd century. Release lists one row for the whole show. Story splits early vs far-future so chronology stays honest—finish S1–2 before Strange New Worlds, save S3–5 until after Picard.

They air and occur in overlapping years. Simple path: watch each series in premiere order (TNG → DS9 → Voyager) and slot TNG films after TNG (or after Voyager). Hardcore fans use episode-level guides—we keep one row per series so this page stays usable.

What’s included

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.