Star Trek turns 60 this year, and if you want to celebrate by going boldly, and streaming from the franchise’s origins to its latest shows in what Spock might describe as logical order, we’re here to help you complete your mission.
Read on for our guide on how to watch the Star Trek shows on Paramount+ in chronological order. We’ll cover the two main ways to watch: the timeline order based on when events happen in the story; and the release order, which follows how audiences first experienced each series. Keep your phasers set on stun: There are light spoilers tied to timeline placement.
Option 1: Chronological viewing order
This list features 11 Star Trek shows you can stream on Paramount+. It places each show based on when it takes place in the Star Trek universe. It does not reflect release dates. If you’re wondering, we consulted an expert source on this: the Star Trek Collection on Paramount+.
Star Trek: Enterprise
Timeline: 2150s
What it’s about: A prequel to the franchise, Enterprise follows Capt. Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) and the crew of the first warp five starship as humanity begins exploring deep space and forming alliances that lead to the Federation.
WATCH NOW: Star Trek: Enterprise
Star Trek: Discovery
Timeline: Begins in the 2250s, and, in an effort to defeat a rogue AI that threatens all life in the galaxy, the U.S.S. Discovery and its crew travel in time to the 32nd century in Season 3.
What it’s about: Set about a decade before the original Star Trek series, Discovery follows Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and her U.S.S. Discovery crewmates as they face conflict and scientific mysteries.
WATCH NOW: Star Trek: Discovery
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Timeline: Late 2250s
What it’s about: This show follows Capt. Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and the U.S.S. Enterprise during early missions, exploring new worlds and civilizations.
FYI: The Paramount+ original series launched its third season last year; it’s been renewed for Seasons 4 and 5.
WATCH NOW: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Star Trek (The Original Series)
Timeline: 2260s
What it’s about: The series that started it all. Capt. James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-C explore space and encounter alien civilizations.
WATCH NOW: Star Trek
Star Trek: The Animated Series
Timeline: Late 2260s/early 2270s
What it’s about: This is an animated continuation of Star Trek (1966), and features many of the same characters and voices. Listen for franchise greats William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, George Takei, and Nichelle Nichols.
WATCH NOW: Star Trek: The Animated Series
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Timeline: 2360s–2370s
What it’s about: Set nearly a century after the events of Star Trek (1966), this series follows Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D as they explore the galaxy.
WATCH NOW: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Timeline: 2369–2375
What it’s about: Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) oversees a space station near a strategic wormhole while dealing with politics and conflict.
WATCH NOW: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Voyager
Timeline: 2370s
What it’s about: Capt. Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) leads the U.S.S. Voyager crew on a long journey home after being stranded far from Earth.
WATCH NOW: Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Lower Decks
Timeline: 2380s
What it’s about: This Paramount+ original is animated comedy following support crew members aboard a Starfleet vessel.
WATCH NOW: Star Trek: Lower Decks
Star Trek: Picard
What it’s about: Late 2390s
What it’s about: The story of retired Admiral Jean-Luc Picard returning to space years after his time on the Enterprise. Patrick Stewart reprises his iconic role, and Season 3 of this Paramount+ original series is a full on Next Generation reunion, with LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Jeri Ryan starring alongside their former captain.
WATCH NOW: Star Trek: Picard
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Timeline: 32nd century
What it’s about: In this Paramount+ original series, set in the far future, over 120 years after The Burn, Starfleet Academy cadets train to become the Federation’s next generation of leaders. Fan-favorite characters from across the Star Trek universe, including Tig Notaro’s Jett Reno (Star Trek: Discovery) and Robert Picardo’s The Doctor (Star Trek: Voyager) appear alongside new faces.
FYI: Get our guide to Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 1 for a look at the cast list, and more info.
WATCH NOW: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Option 2: Release order
Here’s how to watch Star Trek shows on Paramount+ in release order.
- Star Trek (The Original Series) (1966)
- Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973)
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
- Star Trek: Voyager (1995)
- Star Trek: Enterprise (2001)
- Star Trek: Discovery (2017)
- Star Trek: Picard (2020)
- Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020)
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022)
- Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (2026)
Where to watch Star Trek shows
Paramount+ is the home to Star Trek. You can watch more than 10 shows here, from Star Trek, the first Star Trek show, to Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, the most recent Star Trek show. The service’s vast library of Star Trek series (and movies!) can be found on the Star Trek Collection. Want to binge-watch a classic Star Trek show? Change your mind and have decided instead to watch the more modern series Strange New Worlds? No matter what you choose to stream in the Collection, you can watch using any Paramount+ subscription plan.
About the Star Trek universe
Star Trek was created by Gene Roddenberry. Roddenberry pitched the show as a “Wagon Train to the Stars,” a sci-fi riff on Wagon Train, a popular TV Western of the 1950s and 1960s that chronicled the adventures of the members of a California-bound wagon train – an exploration crew, if you will.
As things began to take shape, the franchise focused on following the efforts of Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets.
Different series take place across the original Star Trek timeline, from early missions in the time before the Federation to stories set in the farthest reaches of the future. The classic era centers on Kirk, Spock, and Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley), while later series explore new crews and challenges. Modern shows on Paramount+ continue to expand the universe with new characters and settings.
Star Trek Collection
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