Star Trek timeline explained: Here’s the best way to watch the movies

So, you’ve finally decided to boldly go where millions of slightly overwhelmed sci-fi fans have gone before - through the Star Trek movie timeline. You’d think it’s as easy as starting with the first film ever made. It’s not. Star Trek doesn’t work like that.

This franchise plays chess with time and sometimes loses on purpose. Between character deaths, rebirths, time loops, and rebooted realities, it’s very possible to watch five films and still not know what year it is in the story.

But don’t panic. We’re not going to send you spiraling through a wormhole. Instead, we’re giving you the smoothest route: watching the movies in timeline order, not by when they were released, but by when things actually happen in this universe.

This way, you’ll follow Kirk, Spock, Picard, and company as they age, evolve, and occasionally explode (emotionally and literally). You’ll start in the 23rd century with the Original Crew, move through Next Generation, and then slip into the alternate “Kelvin Timeline” reboot.

Strap in. Helm, set course. Warp factor fun.

Star Trek Movie Timeline: The Best Order to Watch Them In

1) Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

This is where it all begins - at least for the Original Crew’s cinematic journey. Admiral Kirk takes command of the newly refitted Enterprise to investigate a giant space cloud heading toward Earth.

The vibe is more slow meditation than space thriller. Spock is emotionally conflicted, the crew is getting older, and the ship gets more loving camera shots than the cast. Think of it as a quiet overture before the space opera kicks in.

2) Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

Boom - now we’re talking. Khan, a genetically engineered superman from Kirk’s past, shows up with a grudge and a half. The tone gets darker, the stakes get higher, and Spock’s fate delivers one of the most quoted scenes in sci-fi: “I have been, and always shall be, your friend.”

This is where the gloves come off. The character work is sharp, and the themes of aging, revenge, and sacrifice hit hard. Kirk screams, Spock reflects, and viewers cry.

3) Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)

No time to rest. After Spock’s death, the crew breaks every Starfleet rule to bring him back. It’s personal, emotional, and sometimes a bit clunky - but you can feel the love between these characters.

The Enterprise doesn’t survive this one, and neither does Kirk’s sense of control. The bond between Kirk, McCoy, and Spock becomes the heart of this movie.

4) Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)

You want weird? Here’s weird that works. A mysterious probe threatens Earth, and the only solution is... humpback whales. So, the crew travels back to 1986 San Francisco to find some. Time travel antics ensue. Spock wears a headband. Kirk flirts. Chekov asks a cop where to find “nuclear wessels.”

It’s charming, funny, and oddly heartfelt.

5) Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)

Shatner directs, and things get cosmic. The crew is hijacked by Spock’s half-brother, who’s searching for God - or at least someone pretending to be God. It’s messy, sometimes awkward, and definitely not the fan favorite.

But it has its moments. Bones opens up emotionally. Spock debates faith. Kirk climbs a mountain and later says, “What does God need with a starship?” Valid question. It's flawed but has soul.

6) Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)

The Klingon Empire is collapsing, and the Federation wants peace. Kirk, still bitter over his son’s death, must face his prejudice. Then he gets framed for assassination. It’s a political thriller in space and a fitting farewell for the original crew.

There’s Shakespeare, diplomacy, and a surprisingly sharp look at intergalactic racism. This one doesn’t just go out with a bang - it bows out with grace.

7) Star Trek: Generations (1994)

The torch gets passed here - literally. Captain Kirk meets Captain Picard thanks to a weird ribbon in space called the Nexus, where time has no meaning and everyone’s dreams come true. There are some clunky transitions, and Kirk’s final scene is... debatable. But it connects the original timeline to Next Generation.

8) Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

Now we get to the good Next Gen stuff. Picard and crew travel back in time to stop the Borg from ruining Earth’s first warp flight. Patrick Stewart gets to yell. Data gets tempted. The Borg Queen oozes menace. And humanity’s future teeters on one alcoholic scientist’s shoulders.

This is Trek doing action without losing its brain. It’s tense, exciting, and strangely hopeful. You’ll see where it all began - from warp drive to first alien handshake.

9) Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)

This one's more of a long episode than a blockbuster, but it still has its charms. The crew discovers a planet where no one ages and everyone glows slightly. When Starfleet tries to displace the peaceful natives, Picard rebels.

It’s about ethics, aging, and reconnecting with your inner idealist. There are romantic subplots, Data going rogue, and a few fun one-liners. Not as epic, but very Star Trek in spirit.

10) Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)

The final outing for the Next Generation crew - and it’s a dark one. A younger clone of Picard (played by a very pale Tom Hardy) threatens to destroy Earth. There’s betrayal, sacrifice, and a farewell that stings. Data’s arc comes full circle. The tone is bleak, the pace uneven, but the emotional beats land.

11) Star Trek (2009)

Now we jump to the Kelvin Timeline - an alternate reality caused by time travel. A young James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) grows up angry, reckless, and totally ready to crash into things. Spock (Zachary Quinto) struggles between logic and rage.

Nero, a Romulan villain from the future, blows up Vulcan and creates a whole new path. Leonard Nimoy’s older Spock bridges the timelines with dignity. This reboot respects the past while launching something fresh.

12) Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

Kirk and crew face a terrorist who turns out to be - you guessed it - Khan. This version is colder, slicker, and played by Benedict Cumberbatch with a lot of intensity.

The movie tries to remix Wrath of Khan and flips key scenes in clever ways. Some fans loved it; others found it overpolished. But there’s solid character drama, especially between Spock and Kirk. And the themes of loyalty and moral gray zones echo the best of Trek.

13) Star Trek Beyond (2016)

Now the crew feels truly at home. Midway through their five-year mission, they’re stranded on a hostile planet after the Enterprise is destroyed (again). The story is simple but full of character.

Bones and Spock bond. Scotty gets more to do. Idris Elba plays a villain with layers. There’s Beastie Boys, yes, but also some real heart. It doesn’t try too hard - it just lets the crew be the crew. A quiet gem to end (for now).

Conclusion

Watching the Star Trek movies in this order brings out the true arc of the universe - from Kirk’s first mission to Picard’s final stand, then into a fresh timeline that remixes it all. It's not just ships and stars - it’s a story about growth, choices, and friendships that last across time. Or, at least, across 13 movies.

Live long, and rewatch often.