Star Trek is one of the longest-running and most popular franchises in entertainment. Created by Gene Roddenberry, it imagined a hopeful future where humanity had overcome economic hardship and joined together in a peaceful Federation of Planets. Starships like the Enterprise explored the galaxy, venturing into the unknown. However, even in this seemingly perfect world, challenges and dangers still existed.
The Star Trek series has taken us on adventures to both Earth’s ancient history and the far reaches of the future, introducing us to diverse alien civilizations and hidden human schemes. Watching Star Trek in chronological order means experiencing a detailed and interconnected timeline where events have lasting consequences, technology evolves, and even the Federation faces challenges and rebuilds. This complete timeline is for anyone who wants to embark on that journey.
2151-2161 – Star Trek: Enterprise
The first Star Trek series chronologically is Enterprise. It originally aired from 2001 to 2005 and aimed to be the definitive prequel, detailing the origins of the United Federation of Planets and the very first starship Enterprise. However, viewers quickly discovered Enterprise was much more than just a backstory; it introduced a ‘Temporal Cold War’ storyline that spanned the galaxy’s past, present, and future, and opened the door for many guest appearances by familiar characters.
2256-2259 – Star Trek: Discovery seasons 1-2
The first two seasons of Star Trek: Discovery, which originally aired from 2017 to 2018, are set between 2256 and 2259. The show centers on the USS Discovery, a cutting-edge spaceship that can instantly travel vast distances thanks to its special spore drive. However, the crew quickly becomes involved in a war between the Federation and the Klingons. The second season introduces time travel, sending the ship far into the future.
2259 – Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Following the events of Discovery Season 2, Strange New Worlds tells the story of Captain Christopher Pike and the crew of the USS Enterprise as they explore new worlds. The show premiered in 2022 and is currently running, with Season 4 anticipated in 2026 and a fifth, shorter season also being made.
2265-2269 – Star Trek: The Original Series
I still remember when I first saw Star Trek: The Original Series – it was amazing! It follows the crew of the USS Enterprise, led by Captain Kirk and his first officer, Spock, as they explore the galaxy. It really kicked off the whole Star Trek phenomenon, and even though some of the episodes might seem a little old-fashioned now, it’s a classic that I’ll always love. It truly left a lasting impression!
2269-2270 – Star Trek: The Animated Series
Although Star Trek: The Original Series ended in 1969, it became popular when shown in reruns. Creator Gene Roddenberry decided to bring the show back as a cartoon, and most of the original actors returned to provide the voices. The animated series lasted for two seasons, concluding in 1974.
The First Star Trek Movies
Following the success of films like Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Trek made its big-screen debut in 1979 with Star Trek: The Motion Picture. This launched a long-running series of hugely popular movies, which unfolded in the following order:
- 2273 – Star Trek: The Motion Picture, in which the USS Enterprise confronts a mysterious ship headed towards Earth.
- 2285 – Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, two movies that sit back-to-back, involving the death and resurrection of Spock.
- 2286 – Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, in which the USS Enterprise conducts a time travel mission to save the Earth.
- 2287 – Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, featuring a renegade Vulcan named Sybok who is Spock’s half-brother.
- 2293 – Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, in which a Klingon-Federation peace treaty is disrupted by conspirators intend on causing war.
2324 – Section 31
Okay, let’s talk about Philippa Georgiou, a character who’s really bending the rules of time travel in the Star Trek universe. Originally a refugee from an alternate, darker reality – we first met her in Discovery – she ended up flung way into the future with the USS Discovery. Then, things got really complicated. She was sent back in time, but not to where she started. Instead, she popped up much earlier in the 24th century. The new film, Star Trek: Section 31, finally gives us a look at one of the missions she undertook during that strange period.
2364 – 2378 – Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek returned to television with a series of successful shows that often took place at the same time. The Next Generation featured Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard, commanding a new starship Enterprise. Deep Space Nine followed events happening at the same time, focusing on a growing conflict near the Bajoran wormhole. And the USS Voyager embarked on a journey to the far-off Delta Quadrant.
It’s tough to put these shows in perfect order, and many people have tried. The easiest way to watch them is simply from the beginning – the order they were originally released.
- Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
- Star Trek: Voyager
2371 – Star Trek: Generations
The actors from The Next Generation television series reprised their roles in several movies that continued the story of Star Trek. Here’s how those films fit into the overall timeline:
- 2371 – Star Trek: Generations, a “passing of the torch” featuring William Shatner’s Captain Kirk and Patrick Stewart’s Jean-Luc Picard.
- 2373 – Star Trek: First Contract, featuring the anticipated Borg invasion and another time travel plot.
- 2375 – Star Trek: Insurrection tells the story of an undercover mission that goes spectacularly wrong.
- 2379 – Star Trek: Nemesis sees a rogue Romulan warlord target the Federation.
2380-2381 – Star Trek: Lower Decks
It’s always been a bit unclear where Star Trek: Lower Decks fits into the Star Trek universe, and that’s understandable. It’s a unique show – an animated comedy geared towards adults. Instead of following the ship’s officers, the series focuses on the everyday lives of the support crew – the often overlooked ‘redshirts’ – aboard the USS Cerritos.
2383 – Star Trek: Prodigy
Star Trek: Prodigy is a fresh take on the Star Trek universe. The show begins when a group of young aliens stumble upon a forgotten Federation ship called the Protostar. Both seasons are currently available to stream on Netflix.
2399-2401 – Star Trek: Picard
Star Trek: Picard continues the story of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his friends from The Next Generation, taking place towards the end of the 24th century. The series is set in a galaxy fundamentally altered by the destruction of the Romulan star, and follows Picard’s struggle to make a difference, even though his efforts often fall short.
3188-3191 – Star Trek: Discovery seasons 3-5
The second season of Star Trek: Discovery concluded with the USS Discovery traveling far into the future. The following three seasons (3-5) take place in this future, where the crew discovers the Federation has been devastated by a major catastrophe. The series then focuses on their efforts to restore the Federation to its former strength.
The Kelvin Timeline
In 2009, J.J. Abrams reimagined the Star Trek universe by essentially starting the timeline over with a clever use of time travel. A Romulan supernova caused a Romulan commander named Nero to travel back in time, seeking revenge on the Federation for the destruction of his home planet. This event, centered around the USS Kelvin, created a new alternate timeline, often called the “Kelvin Timeline.” The following three films explore this new reality:
- 2258 – Star Trek, with a prologue set in 2233 that creates the timeline.
- 2259 – Star Trek: Into Darkness, featuring an alternate version of Khan.
- 2263 – Star Trek Beyond, with Kirk taking on the villainous Krall.
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2026-01-04 01:12