The Chronological Order for Watching Star Trek: A Guide for Dedicated Fans

Star Trek, a beloved space opera franchise, offers a vast array of series and movies across different timelines. If you're a dedicated fan eager to explore the vast universe created by Starfleet, it's essential to understand the proper viewing order. This guide will help you navigate through the chronology of Star Trek, ensuring that you experience the iconic series and movies in their intended sequence for the best storytelling experience.

Series and Films in Chronological Order

Title Years Star Trek: Enterprise 2001-2005 Star Trek: Discovery 2017-present Star Trek: The Original Series 1966-1969 Star Trek: The Animated Series 1973-1974 Star Trek: The Motion Picture 1979 Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan 1982 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock 1984 Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home 1986 Star Trek V: The Final Frontier 1989 Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country 1991 Star Trek: The Next Generation 1987-1994 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 1993-1999 Star Trek: Voyager 1995-2001 Star Trek: Nemesis 2002 Star Trek 2009: The New Timeline 2009 Star Trek Into Darkness 2013 Star Trek Beyond 2016 Star Trek: Picard 2020-2023 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 2022-present

Additional Recommendations

Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-present): An animated series set in the TNG era for fun viewing alongside other series. Protagonist: Star Trek Starfleet Academy (2021): A young adult series set in the same universe as Deep Space Nine.

Viewing Tips

While you can enjoy Star Trek in the order of their release, sticking to the chronological order for films and series, especially those that connect with each other, is recommended for a cohesive narrative experience. Here are a few tips to help you on your journey:

Start with Star Trek: The Original Series, followed by The Animated Series for a smoother transition into the episodic format. Continue with the films in release order: from The Motion Picture to Picard. After The Next Generation, watch Deep Space Nine followed by Voyager. If you want to experience a fresh, rebooted timeline, start with Star Trek 2009. For a deep dive into an earlier time in Star Trek's history, Enterprise and eventually Discovery are excellent choices.

Enjoy your exploration of the Star Trek universe, and remember to take breaks to appreciate each series in its unique context. The journey through the final frontier is a voyage of a lifetime, with each episode and movie adding its own intriguing layer to the fabric of the Starfleet mythos.