The best way to watch Star Trek movies and series in order depends on what you’re seeking: narrative consistency or production order. This guide offers both, presenting a chronological timeline within the universe to appreciate the unfolding story, while acknowledging the impact and context of production and release dates.
Understanding the Trek Timeline: The Keys to the Galaxy
Embarking on a Star Trek journey can feel like navigating a vast, uncharted nebula. Spanning centuries of in-universe time and decades of real-world production, the franchise offers a rich tapestry of stories, characters, and philosophical explorations. To truly appreciate the scope of Star Trek, understanding the timeline is crucial. This isn’t just about dates; it’s about the interplay of events, the development of characters, and the evolution of the Trek universe itself. We’ll primarily focus on the in-universe chronological order, allowing you to experience the story as it unfolded for its inhabitants. However, we’ll also provide context for production dates to understand the show’s evolution.
The Foundation: Enterprise (ENT)
Our journey begins in the 22nd century with Star Trek: Enterprise. This series chronicles the early days of Starfleet and humanity’s first forays into deep space. Starting with Enterprise provides valuable context for the formation of the Federation and the origins of many familiar technologies and concepts.
- Why start here? Enterprise serves as a prequel, laying the groundwork for all subsequent series and movies. It answers questions about the Romulan War, the formation of the United Federation of Planets, and the early encounters with species that become staples of the Star Trek universe.
The Original Series Era: Discovery (DIS – Seasons 1 & 2) and The Original Series (TOS)
Next comes a slight deviation. Star Trek: Discovery (Seasons 1 & 2) are technically prequels to Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS). While Discovery aired much later, its first two seasons are set approximately a decade before Kirk takes command of the Enterprise. However, Discovery has elements that might spoil aspects of TOS if watched before. Therefore, for the purest experience, watch Discovery after watching the original series. After finishing TOS, consider watching Star Trek: The Animated Series (TAS) for further adventures in the classic era, though this is considered non-canon by some.
- The Kirk Era: Following Discovery and The Original Series, the first six Star Trek movies pick up the story with Captain Kirk and his crew: Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. These films represent a definitive chapter in Star Trek history.
Transitioning to the 24th Century: The Next Generation (TNG), Deep Space Nine (DS9), and Voyager (VOY)
The 24th century represents a significant leap forward in technology and social development. This era is primarily defined by Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9), and Star Trek: Voyager (VOY). These three series often overlap in their timeline, creating a rich and interconnected narrative.
- The Picard Era: Start with TNG to get to know Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D. Then, introduce DS9 around Season 6 of TNG, as the timelines begin to intertwine. Voyager begins after DS9 Season 3, and it continues concurrently with the later seasons of both TNG and DS9. The movies Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek: Nemesis continue Picard’s journey.
The Kelvin Timeline: Alternate Reality Films
The J.J. Abrams-directed films, often referred to as the Kelvin Timeline, exist in an alternate reality created by a Romulan incursion from the future. These films – Star Trek (2009), Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond – offer a fresh take on classic characters and events. While not part of the prime timeline, they provide an engaging alternate interpretation of the original series.
- A Divergence: The Kelvin Timeline diverges from the prime timeline at a specific point, allowing for significant changes in characters and events.
The Modern Era: Picard (PIC), Lower Decks (LD), Prodigy (PRO), and Strange New Worlds (SNW)
The modern era of Star Trek continues to expand the universe, revisiting familiar characters and introducing new ones. Star Trek: Picard (PIC) follows Jean-Luc Picard in his later years, dealing with the consequences of past events. Star Trek: Lower Decks (LD) offers a comedic perspective on life in Starfleet, while Star Trek: Prodigy (PRO) targets a younger audience with an engaging storyline. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (SNW) is a prequel to The Original Series, following Captain Pike’s adventures aboard the Enterprise.
- Expanding the Universe: These newer series continue to push the boundaries of Star Trek, exploring new themes and perspectives while honoring the legacy of the franchise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the optimal viewing order and enhance your Star Trek experience:
1. Should I watch in production order or chronological order?
Production order offers a glimpse into how the franchise evolved, revealing changes in special effects, storytelling styles, and character development over time. Chronological order immerses you in the unfolding narrative of the Star Trek universe. The best approach depends on your preference. For a first-time viewer, chronological order often enhances the overall story.
2. Where does “Short Treks” fit into the timeline?
Star Trek: Short Treks are short, self-contained episodes that often bridge gaps between seasons of other series. Their placement within the overall timeline varies depending on the episode. Refer to specific guides online to determine the optimal placement for each Short Treks episode.
3. Is “Star Trek: The Animated Series” considered canon?
The canonicity of Star Trek: The Animated Series is debated. While some elements have been referenced in later series, it’s generally considered to be of a lower canon status than the live-action series and movies. Enjoy it as an extension of the TOS era, but don’t rely on it for definitive continuity.
4. Do I need to watch all the episodes of a series to understand the overall story?
While some episodes are standalone, many Star Trek series, especially DS9, VOY, DIS, and PIC, feature overarching storylines that develop over multiple seasons. Watching all episodes provides a richer understanding of the characters and the events that shape the universe. However, skip filler episodes if you’re short on time.
5. Is there a single definitive timeline that everyone agrees on?
Due to the complexities of time travel and alternate realities within the Star Trek universe, there is no single, universally agreed-upon timeline. However, the chronological order presented in this guide represents a widely accepted and logical approach.
6. Should I watch the movies in release order or within the chronological context of their respective series?
The movies are best watched within the chronological context of their respective series. For example, the TOS movies should be watched after The Original Series and before the TNG movies. This helps maintain the narrative flow and character arcs.
7. How does the Romulan supernova event impact the various series?
The Romulan supernova, mentioned prominently in Star Trek (2009) and a central plot point in Star Trek: Picard, is a significant event that ripples through the timeline. It impacts the political landscape of the Alpha Quadrant and directly affects the characters and events in both series.
8. What is the best way to stream Star Trek series and movies?
Paramount+ is the primary streaming service for most Star Trek series and movies. However, availability may vary depending on your region. Other services like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ may also offer certain Star Trek content.
9. Are there any resources for tracking my progress through the Star Trek franchise?
Several websites and apps are available for tracking your progress through the Star Trek franchise. These resources allow you to mark off episodes and movies as you watch them, providing a visual representation of your journey.
10. Is “Star Trek: Discovery” worth watching?
Despite some initial controversy regarding its tone and deviations from established canon, Star Trek: Discovery is generally considered a worthwhile addition to the franchise. It offers a fresh perspective on the Star Trek universe and introduces compelling new characters.
11. What is the difference between the “Prime Timeline” and the “Kelvin Timeline?”
The Prime Timeline refers to the original continuity of the Star Trek universe, encompassing Enterprise, The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Picard, Lower Decks, Prodigy, and Strange New Worlds, along with their respective movies. The Kelvin Timeline is an alternate reality created by Nero’s actions in Star Trek (2009), resulting in a divergent timeline with its own version of events.
12. Which Star Trek series should I start with if I’m completely new to the franchise?
If you’re completely new to Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation is an excellent starting point. It’s widely considered a classic and offers a good balance of science fiction, philosophical themes, and character-driven stories without requiring extensive knowledge of previous events. Starting with this series provides a solid foundation for exploring the rest of the Star Trek universe.
By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on an unforgettable journey through the vast and captivating universe of Star Trek. Engage your warp drive and boldly go where no one has gone before!