Star Trek is one of the biggest franchises in history and definitely one of the biggest in sci-fi. It has multiple live-action shows, and a lot of movies, and even some animated shows. So let us see how many movies, TV shows and animations does Star Trek have and what is the best Star Trek watch order.
How many Star Trek TV shows are there?
There are currently eleven Star Trek shows. Those are The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Voyager, Enterprise, Deep Space Nine, Discovery, Short Treks, Picard, Lower Decks and Prodigy.
Also, a few new ones are currently in the works and we can just hope to see more of Star Trek on small screens.
How many Star Trek TV movies are there?
There are currently thirteen Star Trek movies. One more is currently in development and we will let you know more about it below, as well as what is the best order to watch Star Trek movies.
Star Trek watch order (Chronological guide)
I am going to enlist every Star Trek TV show and Movie sorted in the best chronological order to give you an easy feast.
Star Trek Movies and TV Shows TimeLine at a Glance
- Star Trek: Enterprise (2001 to 2005)
- Star Trek: Discovery (2017 to -)
- Star Trek: Short Treks: (2018 to -)
- Star Trek: The Original Series (1966 to 1969)
- Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973 to 1974)
- Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
- Star Trek II: The Wrath of King (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 to 1984)
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993 to 1999)
- Star Trek: Generations (1994)
- Star Trek: Voyager (1995 to 2001)
- Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
- Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
- Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
- Star Trek: Picard (2020 to -)
Star Trek Movies Kelvin Timeline at a Glance
- Star Trek (2009)
- Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
- Star Trek Beyond (2016)
Star Trek Movies and TV Shows in Chronological Order
Before we get into the chronological order of the Star Trek Movies and TV Shows I want to make it clear that first of all, the release date order mentioned below in the timeline is fictional.
It means that the movie has premeditated the fictional dates and used them in an order to explain the overall timeline of the universe in which the specific film events are taking place to give that special effect and ease for the audience!
Let’s take a glance at it!
- Star Trek: The Original Series (1966 to 1969)
- Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973 to 1974)
- Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
- Star Trek II: The Wrath Of King (1982)
- Star Trek III: The Search For Spock (1984)
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
- Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Seasons 1 to 4
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987 to 1991)
- Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Seasons 5 to 7
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (1991 to 1994)
Seasons 1 to 3
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993 to 1994)
- Star Trek: Generations (1994)
Seasons 3 to 4
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1194 to 1999)
- Star Trek: Voyager (1995 to 2001)
- Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
- Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
Seasons 1 to 2
- Star Trek: Enterprise (2001 to 2005)
- Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
Seasons 3 to 4
- Star Trek: Enterprise (2002 to 2005)
- Star Trek (2009)
- Star Trek: Into Darkness (2013)
- Star Trek: Beyond (2016)
- Star Trek: Discovery (2017 to -)
- Star Trek: Short Treks (2018 to -)
- Star Trek: Picard (2020 to -)
Star Trek All Animated Movies Timeline in Chronological Order at a Glance
Here is the chronological order of my all-time favorite Star Trek: The Animated Series. The following list has been sub-divided into two categories. Now you can not miss out on any of the below greatest science fiction (animated) movies.
So, take a glance at it!
Star Trek: The animated movies – Season 1 (1973 to 1974)
- Star Trek: Beyond The Farthest Star (1973)
- Star Trek: Yesteryear (1973)
- Star Trek: One of Our Planets Is Missing (1973)
- Star Trek: The Lorelei Signal (1973)
- Star Trek: More Tribbles, More Troubles (1973)
- Star Trek: The Survivor (1973)
- Star Trek: The Infinite Vulcan (1973)
- Star Trek: The Magicks of Megas-Tu (1973)
- Star Trek: Once Upon a Planet (1973)
- Star Trek: Mudd’s Passion (1973)
- Star Trek: The Terratin Incident (1973)
- Star Trek: The Time Trap (1973)
- Star Trek: The Ambergris Element (1973)
- Star Trek: The Slaver Weapon (1973)
- Star Trek: The Eye of the Beholder (1973)
- Star Trek: The Jihad (1974)
Star Trek: The Animated Movies – Season 2 (1974)
- Star Trek: The Pirates of Orion (1974)
- Star Trek: Bem (1974)
- Star Trek: The Practical Joker (1974)
- Star Trek: Albatross (1974)
- Star Trek: How sharper Than a Serpent’s Tooth (1974)
- Star Trek: The Counter-Clock Incident (1974)
Star Trek TV Shows and Movies Ranked From the First Best To Last
So, here I am done with a comprehensive synopsis of each of the Star Trek Movies and TV Series that have got the best reviews on the internet. Being a Trekkie, I won’t count any of the Star Trek Movies and TV Series as bad or worst because none do this to me at least.
However, you may jump into some dim and bright stars in the way to our journey to the Star Trek Watch Order for Every TV Show and Movie in 2021.
1. Star Trek: The Wrath Of Khan (1982)
The Wrath of Khan is one of the great movies from the Star Trek Franchise. The movie is of a theme, which belongs to the emotional action and a science fiction genre. Khan is the classical villain who has gone far beyond in his performance. In The Wrath of Khan, Khan has a role of a man getting old and weaker. He misses how he is used to be at a young age. All in all, Khan of Wrath offers an intriguing vibe and a good story back in 1982.
The director’s choice for featuring Ricardo Montalban (for the role of Khan) is more than to offer to Star Trek fandom. The Wrath of Khan is an outstanding achievement for Nicholas Meyer. The story is compelling for many who watch out for the first time. It does not only hypnotize the Star Trek fans, but it also deserves to be a must-watch by a larger audience.
Wrath of Khan has depicted the phase of life, when a man is about to get older and older, and had lived the best days of his life. It depicts how it means to be alone memorizing all that had ever been done in the past – the good or the bad! And, to feel the death coming to the door. However, in the other part, Khan has put Kirk crucible for his past sins. Khan has made him accountable for his abandoned people, that he put somewhere on the other planet and had never checked upon. So, making Kirk pay for it!
You will feel your chest broke into pieces when Spock will say his last goodbye to his only friend Kirk. The scene comes, once Kirk comes along a no-win situation faced in the naval space battle.
The Wrath of Khan is a heart-wrenching action and science fiction movie which stands out FIRST BEST from the Star Trek Movies in 2021.
Best recommendation so far!
2. Star Trek: The Search For Spock (1984)
Star Trek: The Search for Spock is based on the selfless and sincere feelings of Kirk and Spock. The two friends have made it to the last to be with each other. The Search for the Spock is worth watching every time. It has an out-of-the-world parable to the conflicts in the real world. The cinematography goes beyond the best for some unique locations and the real vibe coming from the recreated naval battles.
The director Leonard Nimoy did what is never done before! Is this not what a Star Trek fandom could die for? If not, then for what dude! The movie has an arresting picturesque with one of the best stories after the Khan of Wrath. The movie begins with a heist. The Kirk and his crew have cleverly planned to steal their own spaceship Starfleet, while all the passengers were on board.
Amidst the heist, the good officer goes beyond what is possible to stop the heist and to save his dearest friend. The movie is contained with consistency in every scene from the beginning to the end. The end also works well when the FX (from the planet named Genesis) does not sustain there and the admirable performance by Shatner’s hammy when he fights with Kurge in the face of a volcano. The movie is all summed up with the idea of birth, death, friendship, and re-birth.
The search for Spock has this tear-jerking tragedy of the dying planet. The enterprise crew works altogether with determination in the boundary of Starfleet. Before the death chase let’s rival for a chance to live!
The search for the Spock has a very pulse-pounding moment. I swear you will die so it’s better to know before! Being a Trekkie I also skipped my heartbeat when I saw the heartbreaking death of the Spock. However, it does not stop here. The end is more tragic than the naval battles. In all, the greatest sacrifice was given by Kirk. The evil Klingon in the face of revenge took the life of Kirk’s son making him dead drop not only for the battle but, for his entire life. Sadly Star Trek Franchise has got its drastic E.N.D in The Star Trek: The Search for Spock.
Star Trek: The search for Spock has everything from naval battles and Starfleet heist to the amicable friendship between Kirk and Spock and the heart-rending tragic deaths of our favorite heroes from the television. It is a must-watch movie! If you haven’t watched it yet then, you will be missing something very intriguing other than the death scenes. I would rate it SECOND BEST from the Star Trek Movies in 2021.
3. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993 to 1994)
Deep Space Nine has an exceptional analysis for different intriguing topics like science wars humanity politics and freedom. However, Deep Space Nine mounted to the best science fiction movies for its spectacular wars and for featuring black in a lead, first time in the history of the Star Trek Franchise. Thus, DS9 is inclined to critique and offers a worth watch for the audience.
Deep Science Nine is not a one-stop-watch! DS9 is different from many Star Trek Television Series like Star Trek: The Original One. However, it makes it a few episodes to jerk into the motion. The series is based on 7 seasons. Even though the DS9 was set up on a space station that serves as a host to refugees from different war-ravaged planets. That is so how the most intriguing part is introduced because the Dominion was broke out later on the space station.
Deep Space 9 owns the heart of the Star Trek Fandom as the theme has a gripping effect on the audience. DS9 turns out to be a great success mainly because it was rooted in a luring fog war. DS9 was admired because it shows a unique picture of ethics and morals in the real world. I have had a great experience watching it because it interprets the complexities one faces when it is high time to make the toughest choice in a conflict.
As the theme says it all, Brook’s wife was executed in the name of religious and political racism.
DS9 is wholesome that I can’t get over it. It is a watch-again movie if you have seen it before. However, the best episode of DS9 is “Duet” whereas; “Second Sight” wrecked the series. The worst of all! Going with the best I would rate it THIRD BEST from the Star Trek Movies in 2021.
4. Star Trek IV: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
The Undiscovered Country is an exemplary motion picture that evenly depicts the real events that took place in the post-cold war. The movie has discovered the real story behind the bankruptcy of the Klingon Empire due to the successive battles in the cold war. Later, The Klingon Empire and the federations cease off the cold war. Finally, after so long a peaceful atmosphere prevailed in the state.
The Undiscovered Country is the next super-hit movie from the Star Trek Franchise. It is centered focus on Klingon who has exploited his all resources and capital in the cold war. After then, the Klingon Empire becomes bankrupt. The federation and the Klingon joined the hands ingeniously. Klingon’s greed for the status quo gets into a final sign-off from the war.
However, for Kirk, the peace treaty was a bitter pill to swallow, because the one he is making friends with is responsible for the execution of his dearest son. The movie has appeared on the horizon for the lasting message of forgiveness. Although, Kirk in his revenge wanted to kill Klingon yet, forgives in the name of peace.
Cut down here if you don’t want to get spoiled because here is when the climax comes. Although, the peace treaty is signed over the blood of the martyrs. Yet, it is not going to stop shedding more in the way, because a secret agenda is plotted right behind the treaty, which would be a great risk for our favorite heroes.
The Undiscovered has got my nerves right away and clenched my heart till I make it to the end. I would be rating it the FOURTH BEST from the Star Trek Movies in 2021. Highly recommended to watch as fast as you can!
5. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1994)
Star Trek: The Next Generation is the most compelling sci-fi movie from the Star Trek Franchise. The Next Generation is a classical Star Trek Movie defining the real meaning of being human regardless of the time when it is impossible to be the one.
Star Trek: The Next Generation released in 1994 has taken the Star Trek Franchise to the next level of an outstanding classic experience of science fiction movies. It deserves praise for its arresting storytelling and mostly for its great character hunt. Star Trek: The Next Generation has the best crew of all time. However, you will see Captain Jean. Luc Picard (starring Patrick Steward) in his father figured character, which is more than enough to reward the Star Trek fandom.
The movie is based on a riveting theme of technology, mythical lore, and evil villains (like the terrifying creature Armus). In the next generation, Capt. Picard’s wisdom and prudent tone are quite intriguing on the whole. The risk-bearing tradition of the Star Trek Franchise seamlessly flows also in The Next Generation. As Captain Picard never let the challenges drop and fight unless the risk has faced off. Only, the Star Trek franchise has the gut to win over the back-breaking situations.
Hold your breath or you will faint right away! Even I have sobbed for uncountable nights because we will be going to miss Tasha Yar from the 24th episode. The gut squelching death of Tasha Yar in the 23rd episode of the “Skin of Evil” will make you cry out!
You can’t get over your greed for Star Trek: The Next Generation even if you have watched it more than the decades. The movie gripped me, once I finished watching “All Good Things.” This episode has my heart. However “Shades of Gray” can be skipped as it was only recalling all the memories from the Star Trek seasons. For the perfect blend of shining streaks from all the events, places, and characters, I would rate it FIFTH BEST from the Star Trek Movies in 2021.
6. Star Trek (2009)
Star Trek is a non-science fiction movie as far as I have experienced because J.J. Abraham’s after his failure from Star Trek: Nemesis got to something up which offers more entertainment and so it did. Star Trek has different series of events that in a whole give a good storyline but, the movie has an enterprise build on the land this time.
Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek Franchise is all about the interesting and thought-provoking science fiction movies that will entertain the audience beyond the stars. Star Trek (2009) has a great, fun, compromising gripping vibe but, it is not a movie to watch again and again. On the horizon, it is bright like the star but, not the fresh cream of the Star Trek Franchise like the one Star Trek: The Original Series. The movie explicitly portrays the comradeship of the trio (Kirk, Spock, and McCoy).
Star Trek has got some very appealing moments where Spock and McCoy (angel and devil on Kirk’s shoulders) are making a constant tease whenever Kirk was up to a big decision. Also, some very hilarious scenes lift your mood like the one, where a suspended cadet gets his first office. He was promoted because of his stylish cut of the jib. Star Trek has the enterprise on land rather than being built on the planet which is a disappointment for me!
Run away or you will be spoiled! Kirk squared up with his father’s killer in Star Trek. Also, he is on the verge to lose his life on a planet where only his friends can help him to get back.
Star Trek Franchise would never let his fandom down and so Star Trek (2009) intact to keep the vision clear. Star Trek is promising for its great story outline and the in and out of some great characters. It is a good recommendation! I would rate it SIXTH BEST among the Star Trek Movies in 2021.
7. Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
After the greatest achievement from Star Trek: The Next Generation, the Star Trek Franchise has come up with another delicate movie from the sets of Star Trek: First contact. On the whole, this is the first-ever Star Trek horror-fun movie released in the year 1996 by the Star Trek Franchise. The movie has two grounds. One is for the enterprise and the other is for the Earth.
The director and co-star of Star Trek: First Contact has a diluted effect on the audience and the Star Trek fandom. First Contact is one of those storytelling movies that are good for a first watch, yet I cannot call it the best product from the Star Trek Franchise. The movie has based on two different scenarios in which the two unique sets are displayed. The setting is yet flawless but the story gives a patchy lining to it!
The story has some discontinued fragments from the Enterprise scene and the location on Earth. Where Borg had come to invade the enterprise. On the other location, Earth has now been introduced to its first-ever warp drive. However, I cannot deny the fact that the movie is a lot of fun, mainly because of the two shining stars Picard and Data. It is good entertainment for those who want both horror and fun in one. I still remembered the two drunken scenes where the Troi gets into the face of Zefram Cochrane and Riker hardly explain the situation out of drunkenness.
This spoiler is holy shit! In the movie, you will see an aesthetic spaceship NCC-1701-E landing. After the terrific close encounters with an assembly of aliens, Jean Luc would blow the spaceship in the end. What an incredible win! First Contact is picture-perfect in every detail. The theme of the story is centered focus on legacy duty and destiny. However, the First contact gives the right thing at right time. Horror and fun Star Trek: First Contact gives you a cheesy laugh with a terrible clinch in the gut. It is recommended to watch on a rainy night when you are home alone! I would rate it SEVENTH BEST from the Star Trek Movies in 2021.
