Watch Star Trek movies in order using this guide. If you’re a fan of thrilling space adventures, you’re in for a treat. Star Trek is a famous and long-lasting series that has become a streaming sensation. Whether you enjoy classic episodes or the latest series like Discovery, Picard, and Strange New Worlds, Paramount+ has it all. While most Star Trek content is on Paramount+, some films like The Wrath of Khan and First Contact are on Max. Below is the right Star Trek release, and Chronological order.
Note: Before starting streaming movies ensure that your network is protected with a VPN. A VPN is essential for highest online privacy against ISP throttling, and other cyber threats.
How to Watch Star Trek Movies in Chronological Order
To watch Star Trek in chronological order, follow this timeline:
- Star Trek: Enterprise (2151-2161)
- Short Trek: The Girl Who Made the Stars (2230s)
- Short Trek: The Brightest Star (2239)
- Star Trek: The Cage – The Original Series one-off pilot episode (2254)
- Short Trek: The Escape Artist (2250s)
- Short Trek: Q&A (2253)
- Star Trek: Discovery season 1 (2256)
- Short Trek: Runaway (2257)
- Star Trek: Discovery season 2 (2258)
- Short Trek: The Trouble with Edward (2250s)
- Short Trek: Ask Not (2250s)
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2259)
- Star Trek: The Original Series (2265-2269)
- Short Trek: Ephraim and Dot (2267-2285)
- Star Trek: The Animated Series (2269-2270)
- The first six Star Trek films (2273-2293)
- Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Star Trek films 7-10: Generations
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (2369-2375)
- Star Trek: Voyager (2371-2378)
- Star Trek: Lower Decks (2380)
- Star Trek: Prodigy (2383)
- Short Trek: Children of Mars (2385)
- Star Trek: Picard seasons 1-3 (2399-2402)
- Star Trek: Discovery seasons 3-4 (32nd Century)
- Short Trek: Calypso (far future, year unknown)
Note: Star Trek movies directed by JJ Abrams and Justin Lin (Star Trek, Into Darkness, Beyond) exist in an alternate universe and can be watched independently due to their standalone nature. They reference The Original Series but are not part of the chronological series order. Moreover, you can also check out the right order of the Rambo movies in our guide.
Star Trek “Original Series” Movies in Order
- 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)
Watch Star Trek In Release Order
To watch Star Trek in its original release order, consider the following sequence:
- 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
- Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
- Star Trek: Generations
- Star Trek: First Contact
- Star Trek: Insurrection
- Star Trek: Nemesis
- Star Trek
- Star Trek Into Darkness
- Star Trek Beyond
Details of The Star Trek Movies in Release Order
1. Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Released on December 8, 1979, featuring a cast including William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley, this film marked the transition of the U.S.S. Enterprise’s adventures to the cinematic realm. As an energy cloud threatens Earth, Captain Kirk and his crew intervene, uncovering an ancient NASA probe, now known as V’ger, at the cloud’s core. V’ger, having encountered a planet of sentient machines, seeks answers upon its return to Earth, only to find none. Despite its leisurely pace and unmistakably ’70s attire, this film encapsulates the essence of classic Star Trek.
2. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Released on June 4, 1982, starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and Ricardo Montalban, this film is often hailed as the pinnacle of Star Trek cinematic excellence. Serving as a sequel to “Space Seed,” an episode from The Original Series, the story of Khan mirrors the classic tale of Moby Dick, with the formidable antagonist forsaking all rationality in his relentless pursuit of his archenemy, James T. Kirk. Montalban’s portrayal of Khan is nothing short of masterful, blending charisma and single-minded obsession to create a character of enduring allure.
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3. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Released on June 1, 1984, featuring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley in the cast, this third installment in the series, following the events of “The Wrath of Khan,” lays the groundwork for Spock’s resurrection through the creation of the Genesis planet. Told in the vein of a reverse heist narrative, “The Search for Spock” sees the crew of the Enterprise defying Starfleet orders in a daring bid to reunite Spock’s consciousness with his newly regenerated body. While not achieving the acclaim of its predecessors, this film marks two pivotal moments: Spock’s revival and the tragic death of Kirk’s son at the hands of the Klingons, events that will reverberate in future installments.
4. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Released on November 26, 1986, featuring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and Catherine Hicks, “The Voyage Home” often earns a top spot in the hearts of Star Trek enthusiasts. Departing from the typical spacefaring narrative, this installment delivers a comedic twist with a mission centered on restoration rather than destruction, tackling the consequences of humanity’s environmental neglect.
When a mysterious probe disrupts Earth’s systems in search of communication, the target is an extinct species: the majestic blue whale. In a bid to save their planet, Kirk and his crew venture back in time to 1980s San Francisco, aiming to secure a pair of these magnificent creatures. While the film’s environmental message is unmistakable, it seamlessly intertwines with the engaging storyline, resulting in a thoroughly entertaining cinematic experience.
5. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Released on June 9, 1989, with William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley in the lead roles, this film faced challenges from the outset due to a writers’ strike and Shatner’s inexperienced direction. Despite these hurdles, the central storyline presents an intriguing premise: Spock’s half-brother commandeers the Enterprise in a quest to encounter what he perceives as a deity—himself. While the film garnered mixed reviews, some Star Trek enthusiasts hold a peculiar affection for it, appreciating its portrayal of the off-duty camaraderie among Kirk, Spock, and McCoy.
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6. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Released on December 6, 1991, starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and Christopher Plummer, if the Star Trek fan you’ve been talking to doesn’t choose Khan or Voyage Home as their favorite Star Trek movie, chances are they’ll say Undiscovered Country is the best (and if not, well, their taste might be a bit questionable). Here’s the scoop: the Klingon moon Praxis goes boom, putting the entire Klingon race in danger. The Enterprise ends up hosting a bunch of Klingon diplomats, which makes Kirk uneasy.
Remember how the Klingons killed Kirk’s son? Yeah, he’s still pretty upset about that. Kirk’s anger lands him in hot water when the Klingon Chancellor is murdered, and guess who looks like the prime suspect? Kirk and McCoy find themselves on a tough prison planet, setting the stage for a big war. Christopher Plummer shines as a Klingon general who loves quoting Shakespeare and isn’t too keen on peace.
7. Star Trek: Generations
Released on November 18, 1994, starring Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, and Brent Spiner, this film marks the passing of the torch from the crew of The Original Series to that of The Next Generation. Admittedly, it’s a bit of a stumble as they try to bring Kirk and Picard together in a coherent storyline. Malcolm McDowell portrays Soran, a scientist driven by a relentless pursuit to control the Nexus, a cosmic anomaly existing beyond conventional spacetime.
Soran’s motivation stems from the loss of his family when his homeworld was destroyed, and his ultimate desire is to reunite with them, even if it’s just an illusion within the Nexus. He’s less of a traditional villain and more of a tragic figure, but the Nexus provides the unlikely opportunity for Kirk and Picard to cross paths. It may not make perfect sense, but it’s within the realm of possibility.
8. Star Trek: First Contact
Released on November 22, 1996, featuring Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, and Alice Krige, here’s the deal: if your Star Trek buddy didn’t choose Khan or Voyage Home or… well, never mind that. Inspired by the memorable two-part episode “Best of Both Worlds,” where Picard gets assimilated by the Borg, First Contact takes the collective on a time-traveling escapade to sabotage Earth’s pivotal First Contact moment. This is when humanity’s first space mission catches the Vulcans’ eye, setting the stage for Starfleet’s eventual triumph over the Borg.
The Borg Queen torments Picard with haunting visions from the past while tempting Data with the essence of humanity, even offering him a synthetic skin upgrade. The intense battle with the Borg aboard the Enterprise and the surface mission to ensure first contact unfolds smoothly make for gripping viewing. And let’s not forget the sheer force of Patrick Stewart’s performance as he unleashes his fury on the relentless enemy that haunts his nightmares.
9. Star Trek: Insurrection
Released on December 11, 1998, with Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, and F. Murray Abraham leading the cast, Insurrection feels like an extended episode trying to make the leap to the big screen. The plot revolves around a Federation plot to relocate a planet’s inhabitants to exploit its rare resource: metaphasic particles with extraordinary healing properties. Despite possessing advanced technology, the Ba’ku opt for a simpler lifestyle.
Amidst Data’s malfunction and the revelation of Federation allies as adversaries (and former Ba’ku residents), Picard finds himself romantically involved with a local, adding a personal touch to the mission. While Insurrection serves as a significant chapter for rekindling the relationship between Riker and Troi, its overall impact on the broader Star Trek narrative is somewhat limited.
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10. Star Trek: Nemesis
Released on December 13, 2002, featuring Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, and Tom Hardy, Nemesis introduces Tom Hardy as Shinzon, a clone of Picard created by the Romulans in a failed attempt to infiltrate Starfleet. Facing mortality, Shinzon seeks Picard’s blood for his survival. However, Shinzon’s ambitions are far from benign; he harbors megalomaniacal desires to annihilate all life on Earth and beyond.
Nemesis is mainly remembered for Data’s heroic sacrifice, sacrificing himself to save others, only to be resurrected shortly after in a previously discovered duplicate body.
Star Trek “Next Generation” Movies in Order
- Star Trek: Generations (1994)
- Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
- Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
- Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
How to Watch Star Trek Movies in Order with a VPN
Discover how to watch Star Trek movies with a VPN. Follow these quick steps:
- Select a reliable VPN, such as ExpressVPN.
- Get the VPN app on your streaming device.
- Log in and connect to a US server.
- Visit the streaming platform, log in, and enjoy streaming your favorite Star Trek movies hassle-free.
Note: It’s crucial to use a reliable VPN to safeguard your network from potential issues like ISP throttling and cyber attacks.
Star Trek “Kelvin Timeline” Movies in Order
- Star Trek (2009)
- Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
- Star Trek Beyond (2016)
Why Do I Need a VPN to Watch Star Trek Movies in Order
Using a VPN is like having a secret passage to watch Star Trek movies in order. Paramount+ puts up barriers based on where you are, but a VPN, such as ExpressVPN, breaks down those barriers. It lets you sneak into different regions to watch the movies you want.
Now, why is this sneaky path important? Well, it’s not just about watching movies. The VPN also acts like a shield for your internet privacy and safety. It makes sure nobody snoops around while you’re enjoying your movie streaming session.
So, it’s not just about getting what you want; it’s also about staying safe while doing it. If Paramount+ ever gives you trouble with your VPN, there are simple tricks like cleaning up your internet history, or updating your VPN protocol. That way, you can enjoy these movies without worries!
Best VPNs to Watch Star Trek Movies in Order
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3. NordVPN: Versatile Security for Streaming Enthusiasts
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4. FastestVPN: Swift Streaming for Everyone
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Conclusion
Now that you’re familiar with both the release and chronological order of Star Trek movies, the key to a smooth and uninterrupted streaming experience lies in utilizing a trusted VPN. This ensures not only access to the movies in the correct sequence but also shields your network from potential disruptions like regional restrictions and cyber threats. Choose a reputable VPN service like ExpressVPN to enjoy your movie journey with confidence, enjoying the epic saga in the order it was meant to be experienced.
