Whether you’re new to Star Trek or you’re thinking about revisiting the iconic sci-fi universe, you might be wondering where to start—and more importantly, in what order to watch the many TV shows. With over five decades of storytelling, spanning multiple series, timelines, and spin-offs, it can feel a bit overwhelming to jump in. Should you watch the shows in the order they aired, or follow the story chronologically within the Star Trek universe?
Fortunately for you, some have gone boldly where no one has gone before (previously), laying down the path, so you don’t have to figure out how to watch Star Trek in order on your own.
This “TV guide” will help you navigate the vast Star Trek galaxy, offering clear viewing orders so you can enjoy the adventures of the Federation and beyond without getting lost in space.
“Normal television limits what you can do. With science fiction, you can exercise your imagination more.”
gene roddenberry
Understanding Star Trek’s Timeline and Viewing Orders
There are two main ways to approach the series: release order and chronological order. Each offers a distinct viewing experience, and choosing the right one depends on what you want to get out of your Star Trek journey.
Release order means watching the shows in the sequence they originally aired on television. This approach allows you to experience the franchise as audiences have over the years, witnessing how the storytelling, characters, and special effects have evolved. (And, boy, have they evolved!)
Watching in release order preserves the surprises, references, and character developments as they were originally intended by creator Gene Roddenberry, maintaining the natural progression of the franchise’s growth.
On the other hand, chronological order follows the timeline within the Star Trek universe itself, starting with the earliest events in its history and moving forward through time. This method offers a more linear narrative experience, making it easier to follow the overarching storylines and character arcs across different series. However—and it’s a huge however—watching chronologically may also bring up spoilers or references before their original reveal, potentially lessening some of the impact and context that comes from the release order.
How to Watch Star Trek in Order
Let’s get right to it: here’s how to watch the Star Trek shows.
In Order of Release / Release Date
1. Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)
The original Star Trek series, affectionately known as TOS among Trekkies, follows Captain James T. Kirk, Spock, and the crew of the USS Enterprise as they explore strange new worlds and seek out new life and civilizations. The first Star Trek series laid the foundation for the entire Star Trek franchise and remains a must-watch for any Trek fan. Thanks to TOS, Leonard Nimoy as Spock graced our lives. There are three seasons of Star Trek: TOS.
Watch on: Paramount Plus, Prime Video, DVD/Blu-ray
2. Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1974)
Continuing the adventures of the original crew, the Animated Series (TAS) was also created by Gene Roddenberry and expands the Star Trek universe with new stories and alien encounters, preserving the spirit of the original series in a unique format. There are two seasons of Star Trek: TAS.
Watch on: Paramount Plus, Prime Video
3. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
Set about a century after the original series, TNG, as this series is also called, features Captain Jean-Luc Picard (played by the amazing Sir Patrick Stewart) and a new Enterprise crew as they uphold Starfleet’s mission in a richly developed universe. This series introduced iconic characters and storylines that deeply influenced future Star Trek movies and series.
Watch on: Paramount Plus, Prime Video, Blu-ray
4. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)
Also known as DS9, this series centers on a space station near a strategic wormhole, offering a darker, serialized take on Star Trek stories. It explores complex political and religious themes within the United Federation of Planets and beyond.
Watch on: Paramount Plus, Prime Video, DVD
5. Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)
Voyager follows Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and her crew stranded far from home in the Delta Quadrant. Their long journey back to the Alpha Quadrant is filled with new alien species, challenges, and alliances, blending Starfleet ideals with survival.
Watch on: Paramount Plus, Prime Video, DVD
6. Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005)
A prequel series set before TOS, Enterprise chronicles the early days of Starfleet and humanity’s first deep-space exploration aboard the Enterprise NX-01, highlighting the events that shaped the future Star Trek universe.
Watch on: Paramount Plus, Prime Video, DVD/Blu-ray
7. Star Trek: Discovery (2017-2024)
Discovery introduces new characters (Sonequa Martin-Green as Michael Burnham, hey!) and story arcs (watch out for Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou and Section 31) while connecting to established Star Trek lore. It explores the Federation’s challenges in both the 23rd and 32nd centuries, featuring diverse crews, undiscovered country, and groundbreaking storytelling.
Watch on: Paramount Plus, Prime Video, DVD/Blu-ray
**Star Trek: Short Treks (2018-2019)**
Star Trek: Short Treks is a collection of standalone mini-episodes designed to expand the Star Trek content across various series, especially complementing Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Picard. These shorts offer intimate stories that explore key characters and events of Starfleet and the broader Star Trek universe, enriching the viewing experience for fans who prefer to watch Star Trek chronologically.
Released between 2018 and 2020 on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and CBS All Access (now Paramount Plus), Short Treks bridges gaps in the chronological timeline and provides background on important figures such as Spock, Captain Pike, and Michael Burnham. The series also touches on iconic moments and themes familiar to Trekkies, including nods to classic Star Trek feature films like Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.
Watch on: Paramount Plus, Prime Video, DVD/Blu-ray
8. Star Trek: Picard (2020-2023)
Focusing on Jean-Luc Picard years after TNG, this series delves into his personal journey and the evolving Star Trek universe, blending nostalgia with new adventures and characters.
Watch on: Paramount Plus, Prime Video, DVD/Blu-ray
9. Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-present)
An animated series set in the late 24th century, Lower Decks focuses on the “lower deckers”—the support crew of the USS Cerritos. Unlike previous series centered on starship captains, it highlights the humorous and heartfelt missions of low-ranking Starfleet officers navigating life in the Federation.
Watch on: Paramount Plus, Prime Video, Blu-ray
10. Star Trek: Prodigy (2021-2023)
Prodigy is an animated series aimed at younger audiences, following a group of young aliens who discover a derelict Starfleet ship and embark on adventures across the galaxy. It introduces new fans to Star Trek’s core values and stories within the broader franchise.
Watch on: Netflix, DVD/Blu-ray
11. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022-present)
Another prequel to the original series, Strange New Worlds follows Captain Pike, Spock, and Number One aboard the USS Enterprise, exploring classic Star Trek themes with fresh stories and modern production. New episodes coming soon (as of this writing)!
Watch on: Paramount Plus, Prime Video, DVD/Blu-ray
“The prejudices people feel about each other disappear when they get to know each other.”
captain kirk
In Chronological Order
Alternatively, you can watch Star Trek chronologically. This list follows the in-universe timeline of events rather than the release date of each series. Starting from the earliest days of deep space exploration and moving through the decades, this viewing order lets you experience the unfolding events of Star Trek as they happen within the fictional universe envisioned by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry.
Watching Star Trek chronologically offers a unique perspective on the evolution of Starfleet, the United Federation of Planets, and key moments such as the rise of Khan Noonien Singh and the iconic events referenced in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, and Star Trek Generations. This approach also highlights how the franchise’s stories connect across various series and feature films, including classic episodes like The City on the Edge of Forever and the TV movies that bridge gaps between series.
While some viewers prefer to watch Star Trek in release order to preserve the original storytelling experience, following the chronological timeline can deepen your understanding of the Star Trek universe’s complex history, including the alternate timeline introduced by the new Star Trek films.
1. Star Trek: Enterprise (2151-2161)
2. Star Trek: Discovery Seasons 1-2 (2256-2258)
3. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2259)
4. Star Trek: The Original Series (2265-2269)
5. Star Trek: The Animated Series (2269-2270)
6. Star Trek: The Next Generation (2364-2370)
7. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (2369-2375)
8. Star Trek: Voyager (2371-2378)
9. Star Trek: Lower Decks (2380)
10. Star Trek: Prodigy (2383)
11. Star Trek: Picard (2399-2402)
12. Star Trek: Discovery Seasons 3-4 (32nd Century)
Which is Better: Release Order or Chronological Order?
Choosing between release order and chronological order depends on your viewing goals. Watching Star Trek in release order preserves the original experience, letting you appreciate how the franchise evolved over time.
On the other hand, the chronological order follows the in-universe timeline, offering a seamless narrative of Starfleet’s history and events of Star Trek. However, it may reveal spoilers or lessen the surprise of certain storylines. Ultimately, the decision lies in what experience you would like to have.
Star Trek Series and Movies
Star Trek movies generally follow their respective TV series and are best watched after completing the related shows. Films tied to The Original Series and The Next Generation expand those eras’ stories. The Kelvin Timeline movies exist in a separate alternate reality, offering a fresh take on classic characters.
See How to Watch Star Trek Movies in Order
Tips for Watching Star Trek
Before we go, here are some last-minute tidbits to keep in mind:
- Consider starting with The Original Series or The Next Generation, depending on your preference (for the record, we’re TOS all the way)
- Follow the release order if you want to experience the franchise as it evolved
- Follow the chronological order for a linear story experience
- Explore spin-offs and anthology episodes (Short Treks) for additional context and character development
Most importantly: Be patient with older series; they set the foundation for later shows
“It isn’t all over; everything has not been invented; the human adventure is just beginning.”
gene roddenberry