Over the past 24 years, the Star Trek universe has produced approximately six follow-up series and films, divided across two distinct timelines. The initial exploration of this timeline began with Star Trek: The Original Series, which debuted in 1966, taking place in the 23rd century. After the show was canceled after its third season, it found new life in syndication and, with the rise of Star Wars as a cinematic phenomenon, Paramount decided to reboot Star Trek, transforming the voyages of the USS Enterprise into a series of films.
In the 1980s and 90s, the television series “Star Trek: The Next Generation” set the stage for the 24th century within the “Star Trek” universe. This was followed by “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “Star Trek: Voyager,” which continued from where “Star Trek: The Next Generation” left off, as it transitioned to feature films. Collectively, these three “Star Trek” series advanced the 24th century timeline by fifteen years, spanning from the initial airing of “TNG” in 2364 to the finale of “Star Trek: Nemesis” in 2379.
In contrast, Star Trek delved into its past in 2001 with the debut of Star Trek: Enterprise, which served as the franchise’s first prequel. This series rewrote Star Trek history by introducing Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula), whose NX-01 Enterprise came before Captain James T. Kirk’s (William Shatner) USS Enterprise by a century. Since then, Star Trek has blended prequels in movies and shows with new series on Paramount+ that advance the timeline further. Here are the 6 Star Trek prequels ranked from least favorite to most preferred.
6. Star Trek Into Darkness
Set In 2259 In The Kelvin Timeline
In the realm of the Kelvin Timeline, a year has passed since the extraordinary events depicted in Star Trek (2009). As Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), I find myself aboard the USS Enterprise, grappling with an ominous reality orchestrated by a rejuvenated Admiral Alexander Marcus (Peter Weller). This cunning Starfleet commander has resurrected a 20th-century powerhouse, Khan Noonien Singh (Benedict Cumberbatch), a genetically enhanced villain from yesteryears. Marcus’ sinister scheme to utilize Khan for militarizing Starfleet and instigating a war with the Klingons spirals out of control when the vengeful Khan escapes his confines, seeking retribution against those who awakened him from his slumber.
Star Trek Into Darkness was criticized by fans for being a flashy yet shallow retelling of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, as it seemed more focused on non-stop action than on the complex moral dilemmas that are integral to the Star Trek universe. Some found it hard to swallow scenes like Spock engaging in hand-to-hand combat with Khan while Captain Kirk perishes and miraculously returns, all within the same storyline. This film appeared to prioritize eye-catching spectacle over the deep explorations of morality and ethics that are hallmarks of the series.
5. Star Trek: Discovery Seasons 1 & 2
Set In 2256-2258 In The Prime Timeline
In the debut of Star Trek: Discovery season 1, it was unveiled as a prequel, set a decade prior to Star Trek: The Original Series. This revelation sparked issues that some passionate Star Trek fans have yet to overcome. The visual aesthetic and advanced technology in Discovery, such as holograms, were far ahead of what was depicted in The Original Series, which is meant to be its future. Additionally, the revamped Klingons in Discovery stirred up controversy, and so did the show’s dark tone amidst the aftermath of the brutal Klingon War, contrasting with the usual optimism that characterizes Star Trek.
Season 2 of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ saw significant enhancement, featuring the return of Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), Lieutenant Spock (Ethan Peck), and the USS Enterprise. However, the Red Angel storyline in this season was a grim affair, involving an AI-triggered cosmic catastrophe, darker than even the Klingon War. The final twist in ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ was to transport the series into the 32nd century, effectively resolving its challenges as a prequel to the original ‘Star Trek’ series.
4. Star Trek Beyond
Set In 2263 In The Kelvin Timeline
In Star Trek Beyond, Captain James T. Kirk is in the midst of his five-year space expedition with the Starship Enterprise when they encounter an attack by Krall (Idris Elba), who devastates the ship and leaves Kirk and the crew stranded on the planet Altamid. With a fresh companion, Jayla (Sofia Boutella), Kirk manages to escape Altamid, uncovers Krall’s hidden agenda, and thwarts the menace before he can destroy Starbase Yorktown.
Among J.J. Abrams-produced Star Trek films, Star Trek Beyond comes the closest to embodying the essence of Star Trek: The Original Series. This exhilarating journey solidifies Captain Kirk’s loyalty and that of his USS Enterprise team. Just like the other Star Trek reboot films, Star Trek Beyond is visually captivating and offers an action-packed experience. However, what truly sets it apart is its reflection of the optimism inherent in Star Trek, succinctly described by Spock: “We find hope in the impossible.
3. Star Trek 2009
Set In 2258 In The Kelvin Timeline
Star Trek (2009) introduces Captain James T. Kirk and his Starship Enterprise team in an alternate timeline known as the Kelvin Timeline. This 2009 film marks a fresh start for the Star Trek movie series, with director J.J. Abrams modernizing the franchise’s aesthetic to create a visually stunning blockbuster (even featuring some notable lens flares). The story primarily unfolds in the year 2258, as Kirk commands a new crew aboard the Enterprise on their inaugural mission to protect Earth from the menacing Romulan time traveler, Nero, played by Eric Bana.
2009’s “Star Trek” offers an ideal starting point for newcomers, presenting an engaging and exhilarating space odyssey with an outstanding ensemble cast. J.J. Abrams’ reboot effectively demonstrated that the original series characters could be convincingly recast, with Chris Pine and his co-stars embodying the spirit of Star Trek’s legendary space explorers. The film’s alternate universe premise, where the Kelvin Timeline is technologically advanced compared to the Prime Timeline, seamlessly blends with its role as a heart-pounding summer blockbuster.
2. Star Trek: Enterprise
Set From 2251-2255 In The Prime Timeline
The first prequel of Star Trek, titled initially as Enterprise, premiered on United Paramount Network (UPN) in 2001. Created by executive producers Rick Berman and Brannon Braga, the series aimed to provide a fresh take on the intricate and self-referential Star Trek: The Next Generation era. To make Captain Jonathan Archer and his NX-01 Enterprise crew feel more contemporary, Scott Bakula led the prequel. This band of astronauts were depicted as ordinary individuals struggling in a galaxy that was not always friendly towards humanity, reflecting their imperfections and their challenges in adapting to this new environment.
The journey to recognition for “Star Trek: Enterprise” has been a lengthy one. Initially, it failed to win over die-hard “Star Trek” enthusiasts and was terminated after only four seasons. However, with the advent of streaming platforms, “Enterprise” received a second chance and its characters like Captain Archer, T’Pol (played by Jolene Blalock), and the crew of NX-01 are now recognized as pivotal figures in “Star Trek”, shaping the future of Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets. Nowadays, it’s almost inconceivable to imagine “Star Trek” without “Enterprise”.
1. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Set From 2259 Onward In The Prime Timeline
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds began to great acclaim, being the first Star Trek series on Paramount+ that viewers eagerly anticipated following their fascination with Anson Mount’s Captain Pike, Ethan Peck’s Lt. Spock, and Rebecca Romijn’s Number One in Star Trek: Discovery‘s second season. Notably, Strange New Worlds holds the record for the longest pilot-to-series order in television history, as it is based on “The Cage,” the original 1965 Star Trek pilot episode that was initially turned down by NBC and later reworked into Star Trek: The Original Series.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds embodies the vibrant nostalgia of Star Trek while modernizing its episodic storytelling with engaging character development and a daring approach to genre exploration. Essentially, it’s as if The Original Series were remade for today, blending respect for the past, enjoyment of the present, and anticipation for what lies ahead in the Star Trek universe.
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2025-04-24 21:41