star trek 2009 prime video

Currently available on 9 streaming services.

Star Trek (2009)

127min - English

7 Days Free

Then $7.99 / month

Then $12.99 / month

Watch similar movies on Apple TV+ for free

Then $9.99 / month

Subscription

$7.99 / month

Free with ads

retail price

Didn't find what you were looking for?

Let us notify you once it becomes available on more services.

We checked for updates on 239 streaming services on September 13, 2024 at 4:30:28 AM. Something wrong? Let us know!

Star Trek streaming: where to watch online?

Currently you are able to watch "Star Trek" streaming on Paramount Plus, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel , Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel or for free with ads on Pluto TV. It is also possible to rent "Star Trek" on Microsoft Store, Amazon Video, Apple TV, Spectrum On Demand online and to download it on Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, Apple TV.

The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James Kirk, is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock, a Vulcan, was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before. The human adventure has begun again.

Videos: Trailers, Teasers, Featurettes

Where does Star Trek rank today? The JustWatch Daily Streaming Charts are calculated by user activity within the last 24 hours. This includes clicking on a streaming offer, adding a title to a watchlist, and marking a title as 'seen'. This includes data from ~1.3 million movie & TV show fans per day.

Star Trek is 1244 on the JustWatch Daily Streaming Charts today. The movie has moved up the charts by 509 places since yesterday. In the United States, it is currently more popular than Waiting... but less popular than Vampiras: The Brides.

Streaming charts last updated: 5:17:16 AM, 09/13/2024

Popular movies coming soon

Upcoming Action & Adventure movies

Similar Movies you can watch for free

More popular Movies directed by J.J. Abrams

Other popular Movies starring Chris Pine

Lists featuring Star Trek

10 Movies Like Star Wars You Can Watch Online Right Now

Where To Watch Every Star Trek TV Show and Movie in Order

Star Trek Movies Ranked:How to Watch All the Best Trek Films Online

20 Best Chris Hemsworth Movies: Where to Watch Them Online

Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 48 hours to finish once started.

Customers also watched

Other formats

10661 global ratings

How are ratings calculated? Toggle Expand Toggle Expand

• UK Modern Slavery Statement
• Sustainability
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell on Amazon Business
• Sell on Amazon Handmade
• Sell on Amazon Launchpad
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect and build your brand
• Associates Programme
• Fulfilment by Amazon
• Seller Fulfilled Prime
• Advertise Your Products
• Independently Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Make Money with Us
• Instalments by Barclays
• The Amazon Barclaycard
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Payment Methods Help
• Shop with Points
• Top Up Your Account
• Top Up Your Account in Store
• COVID-19 and Amazon
• Track Packages or View Orders
• Delivery Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Amazon Mobile App
• Customer Service
• Accessibility
• Conditions of Use & Sale
• Privacy Notice
• Cookies Notice
• Interest-Based Ads Notice

• Action/Adventure
• Children's/Family
• Documentary/Reality
• Amazon Prime Video

What to Watch

‘Star Trek’ (2009)

The Star Trek film franchise was seemingly dead and buried until JJ Abrams breathed new life into it with a brand new vision. Star Trek (2009) is an electrifying yarn that marries the best qualities of the classic series with modern sensibilities. Check it out before heading to the theaters to see Star Trek Beyond this weekend.

Where to Stream:

Star trek (2009), more recommendations, our guide to the best movies and tv shows streaming online, updated daily..

• Sci-Fi/Fantasy
• Google Play
• The Roku Channel

‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’ Season 18, Episode 10: “Catwalks & Catfights”

The Real Housewives of Orange County   has had a whirlwind of a season. This week's episode, which only intensifies the drama among the ladies, finds Shannon Beador still reeling from the revelation that her ex-boyfriend John Janssen has videos of her from the night of her DUI. Meanwhile, Emily Simpson asks Alexis Bellino, Janssen's new girlfriend, ... Read more

The Real Housewives of Orange County

‘WandaVision’

We're officially less than a week away from the first new MCU show since January;  Agatha All Along premieres on September 18, but before then, it'd be a good idea to rewatch the show where it all began. Of course, we're talking about WandaVision , the very first MCU TV show and jumping-off point for Agatha's new story to begin.  WandaVision , set ... Read more

WandaVision

‘Chimp Crazy’

Netflix's Tiger King wasn't for everybody, but if you were captivated by the heartbreaking insanity of the buzzy 2020 doc, Chimp Crazy is for you. Directed by Tiger King's Eric Goode, HBO's four-episode docuseries centers on exotic animal broker Tonia Haddix, a woman who refers to herself as the "Dolly Parton of chimps." Haddix's love for ... Read more

Chimp Crazy

‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 4

Hulu's hit murder mystery series is back with a new season of hijinks, except this time, the murder has hit dangerously close to home.  Only Murders in the Building Season 3 ended with a major cliffhanger when (spoiler alert!) Jane Lynch's Sazz Pataki was murdered in Charles' apartment in a case of mistaken identity. Season 4 picks up on that same... Read more

Only Murders In The Building

‘Rebel Ridge’

I'm not a huge action thriller person, but even I could appreciate the delicate artistry of Rebel Ridge , a gorgeous new Netflix movie that began streaming on Friday. Written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier, Rebel Ridge has all the best elements of '80s and '90s action flicks: It’s grounded, efficient, and just a little bit cheesy. With practical ... Read more

Rebel Ridge

‘The Perfect Couple’

Netflix's The Perfect Couple whisks viewers away to the idyllic Nantucket, where world-famous mystery writer Greer Garrison Winbury (Nicole Kidman) is begrudgingly planning her son Benji's (Billy Howle) impending nuptials to zoologist Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson). However, Greer's best laid plans go awry when a dead body is discovered the morning of ... Read more

The Perfect Couple

‘English Teacher’

Had a bad day? In desperate need of a good laugh? Or simply on the hunt for a new favorite show? Brian Jordan Alvarez's English Teacher   is at your service. Whether you tune in live on FX or stream on Hulu, the fresh comedy about Evan Marquez (Alvarez) — an openly gay high school English teacher navigating work, life, and political issues in ... Read more

English Teacher

‘My Cousin Vinny’

There is never a bad time to watch My Cousin Vinny . The Joe Pesci comedy is laugh-out-loud funny, with the leading man delivering a charmingly kooky performance as a lawyer trying his very best to win his cousin's murder case (despite making six attempts to pass the bar). With some memorable performances from Fred Gwynne, a young Ralph Maccio (who ... Read more

My Cousin Vinny

Decider's ultimate guides.

Check out our list of the best movies on Netflix right now in July 2024 to help you decide what to watch. Learn More

Check out our list of the best movies on Max right now in July 2024 to help you decide what to watch. Learn More

Check out our list of the best movies on Disney+ right now in July 2024 to help you decide what to watch. Learn More

Check out our list of the best movies on Amazon Prime Video right now in July 2024 to help you decide what to watch. Learn More

Hulu's movie selection is outstanding — Oscar winners, music documentaries, '90s action thrillers, laugh-out-loud comedies— but... Learn More

Check out our list of the best movies on Peacock right now in July 2024 to help you decide what to watch. Learn More

Check out our list of the best shows on Netflix right now in 2023 to help you decide what to watch. Learn More

Star Trek (2009) Stream and Watch Online

Watch 'star trek' online.

Looking to watch ' Star Trek ' on your TV, phone, or tablet? Tracking down a streaming service to buy, rent, download, or watch the J.J. Abrams-directed movie via subscription can be confusing, so we here at Moviefone want to do the work for you. Read on for a listing of streaming and cable services - including rental, purchase, and subscription alternatives - along with the availability of 'Star Trek' on each platform when they are available. Now, before we get into the various whats and wheres of how you can watch 'Star Trek' right now, here are some particulars about the Paramount Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment, Bad Robot action flick. Released May 7th, 2009, 'Star Trek' stars Chris Pine , Zachary Quinto , Leonard Nimoy , Eric Bana The PG-13 movie has a runtime of about 2 hr 7 min, and received a user score of 74 (out of 100) on TMDb, which assembled reviews from 9,748 experienced users. Interested in knowing what the movie's about? Here's the plot: "The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James Kirk, is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock, a Vulcan, was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before. The human adventure has begun again." 'Star Trek' is currently available to rent, purchase, or stream via subscription on Apple iTunes, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Video, Paramount Plus , Vudu, Spectrum On Demand, Microsoft Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel , AMC on Demand, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, and Pluto TV .

'Star Trek' Release Dates

Star trek: alternate reality collection.

J.J. Abrams' cinematic re-envisioning of the Star Trek universe portrayed by a new cast, and set in an alternate reality from earlier films and series (referred to as the "Kelvin" timeline).

Similar Movies

Featured News

Movie Reviews

Follow Moviefone

Latest trailers.

Star Trek streaming guide: Where to watch the Star Trek movies and TV shows online

Our Star Trek streaming guide will allow you to go boldly where you've never gone before, without getting off your couch.

How to stream the Star Trek Movies in the US

How to stream the star trek tv shows in the us, how to stream the star trek movies in the uk, how to stream the star trek tv shows in the uk.

Here's our Star Trek streaming guide, so you know where to go boldly where you've never gone before... Without leaving your sofa. We've come up with this Star Trek streaming guide because since the first ever episode aired back in 1966, there's been  a huge number of additions into the franchise. 

Star Trek is currently in a bit of a purple patch for content as Paramount Plus , which is the home of all things Star Trek, is responsible for several new shows in recent years. But, it's not just new content, you'll also find where to stream the classics both movies and TV series below. 

Before, Star Trek content was scattered all around different streaming services and searching for what you wanted to watch could feel like hunting for a cloaked Bird of Prey. However, these days you're able to stream all Star Trek content out there on Paramount Plus. However, we do have round-ups of the best sci-fi movies and TV shows on Netflix , Disney Plus and Amazon if you want to check them out. 

You can also check out our take on the Star Trek movies, ranked so you know which movies to beam up onto your device. While Paramount Plus has everything Star Trek out there, you can find the odd bit of content on other platforms. So, below you'll find where you can watch what, regardless of where you're based, in our Star Trek streaming guide.  

The Star Trek movies can be divided into three tidy groups: the original cast, the Next Generation cast, and the reboot cast. All of them can be found on Paramount+. However, Paramount+ isn't the only place you can stream the movies and in some cases you can rent or buy from places such as Amazon .

Here’s how to stream the Star Trek movies in the U.S., in order of release:

Star Trek: The Motion Picture — Paramount+ Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan — Paramount+ Star Trek III: The Search for Spock — Paramount+ Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home — Paramount+ Star Trek V: The Final Frontier — Paramount+ Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country — Paramount+ Star Trek: Generations — Paramount+ Star Trek: First Contact — Paramount+ Star Trek: Insurrection — Paramount+ , Spectrum Star Trek: Nemesis — Paramount+   Star Trek (2009) — Paramount+ , Pluto TV Star Trek Into Darkness — Paramount+ , Pluto TV Star Trek Beyond — Paramount+ , DIRECTV , Freevee

When it comes to Star Trek on the small screen, you can find them all in one place. Paramount+ not only has every episode of every legacy Trek show, it’s also the home of all the new Star Trek programming, such as Picard and Strange New Worlds. If you’re a Trekkie, you absolutely want to have Paramount+ to keep up with the object of your affection. A word of warning though, other streaming platforms may only have select episodes or series to stream.

Star Trek: The Original Series — Paramount+ , Pluto TV Star Trek: The Next Generation — Paramount+ , Pluto TV Star Trek: Deep Space Nine  — Paramount+ , Sling , Spectrum Star Trek: Voyager — Paramount+ , Pluto TV Star Trek: Enterprise — Paramount+ Star Trek: Discovery — Paramount+ , DIRECTV Star Trek: Picard — Paramount+ Star Trek: Short Treks — Paramount+ Star Trek: Lower Decks — Paramount+ Star Trek: Prodigy — Paramount+ ,   DIRECTV , FuboTV , Spectrum Star Trek: The Animated Series — Paramount+ Star Trek: Strange New Worlds — Paramount+

Now that Paramount+ has arrived in the U.K, streaming Star Trek is a lot easier. You can view most of the movies on the streaming platform. Star Trek Beyond is the exception but that can be found on Amazon Prime. If you're not prepared to subscribe to Paramount+, the movies are available to rent or buy from a number of different platforms. 

Star Trek: The Motion Picture — Paramount+ Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan — Paramount+ Star Trek III: The Search for Spock — Paramount+ Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home — Paramount+ Star Trek V: The Final Frontier — Paramount+ Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country — Paramount+ Star Trek: Generations — Paramount+ Star Trek: First Contact — Paramount+ Star Trek: Insurrection — Paramount+ Star Trek: Nemesis — Paramount+ Star Trek (2009) — Paramount+ , Amazon Prime Star Trek Into Darkness — Paramount+ , Amazon Prime Star Trek Beyond — Amazon Prime

Now that Paramount+ has reached those across the pond, the U.K. can enjoy streaming Star Trek shows as well. Netflix is also another great option to fulfil your Trekkie viewing needs, especially if you're interested in checking out Star Trek: The Animated Series, which is exclusive to Netflix. 

However, for the likes of Picard and Lower Decks, you’ll have to hop on over to Amazon Prime. It's worth noting that platforms such as SkyGo may only have a select number of episodes or series to stream.

Star Trek: The Original Series —   Netflix , Paramount+ Star Trek: The Next Generation — Netflix , Paramount+ , SkyGo Star Trek: Deep Space Nine  — Netflix , Paramount+ Star Trek: Voyager — Netflix , Paramount+ Star Trek: Enterprise — Netflix , Paramount+ Star Trek: Discovery — Paramount+ Star Trek: Picard — Amazon Prime Video , Paramount+ Star Trek: Short Treks — N/A Star Trek: Lower Decks — Amazon Prime Video Star Trek: Prodigy — Paramount+ , SkyGo Star Trek: The Animated Series — Netflix Star Trek: Strange New Worlds — Paramount+

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Get the Space.com Newsletter

Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!

Susan Arendt is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant living in Burleson, TX. She's a huge sci-fi TV and movie buff, and will talk your Vulcan ears off about Star Trek. You can find more of her work at Wired, IGN, Polygon, or look for her on Twitter: @SusanArendt. Be prepared to see too many pictures of her dogs.

This Week In Space podcast: Episode 127 — Space Stations Inc.

The best 60s sci-fi movies

What's behind the Martian methane mystery?

Most Popular

• 2 Watch Russian Soyuz rocket launch 3 astronauts to the ISS today
• 3 Polaris Dawn crew flies higher than 1966 Gemini 11 orbital record
• 4 Watch 1st look clip from 'Star Trek: Lower Decks' Season 5 (video)
• 5 Space MacGyver: NASA astronaut and inventor Don Pettit eager to return to ISS on Sept. 11

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father's legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful Romulan from the future creates black holes to destroy the Federation one pl... Read all The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father's legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful Romulan from the future creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time. The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father's legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful Romulan from the future creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time.

• J.J. Abrams
• Roberto Orci
• Alex Kurtzman
• Gene Roddenberry
• Zachary Quinto
• 1.6K User reviews
• 534 Critic reviews
• 82 Metascore
• 27 wins & 95 nominations total

Top cast 99+

• Spock Prime

• (as Zoë Saldana)

• Amanda Grayson

• George Kirk

• Winona Kirk

• Captain Robau

• Officer Pitts
• (as Antonio Elias)
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia In the scene where Kirk is taking the Kobayashi Maru test, he is eating an apple, which is also what he is eating while recounting his tale of taking the Kobayashi Maru test in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) . (According to director J.J. Abrams in the Blu-ray audio commentary, this was not intended to be a reference to The Wrath of Khan. At one point, he was simply told that lead actors seem cocky eating apples.)
• Goofs After Spock boards the Vulcan ship on board the mining vessel, Kirk is seen walking through some pipes. His Starfleet phaser has switched to a Romulan gun (longer barrel and no lights), before switching back to the Starfleet one again in the next scene. He actually acquires the Romulan gun a few scenes later.

Spock Prime : James T. Kirk!

James T. Kirk : Excuse me?

Spock Prime : How did you find me?

James T. Kirk : Whoa... how do you know my name?

Spock Prime : I have been and always shall be your friend.

James T. Kirk : Wha...

[shakes head]

James T. Kirk : Uh... look... I-I don't know you.

Spock Prime : I am Spock.

James T. Kirk : Bullshit.

• Crazy credits The first part of the closing credits is styled after the opening credits of Star Trek (1966) , where the starship Enterprise blasts off into space as a monologue describes its mission, and then the cast names appear as the famous "Star Trek" theme music plays.
• Connections Edited into De wereld draait door: Episode #4.157 (2009)
• Soundtracks Theme from 'Star Trek' TV Series Written by Alexander Courage & Gene Roddenberry

User reviews 1.6K

• jmariani-59799
• Jul 12, 2021
• If this premise is that an alternate timeline created when Nero traveled back in time, then what happened to James Kirk's older brother, Sam, aka George Samuel Kirk Jr.?
• How can Spock's mother still be alive years later (original series) when she dies earlier on in this movie ?
• What is Star Trek about?
• May 8, 2009 (United States)
• United States
• Official Facebook
• Star Trek: The Future Begins
• Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park - 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd., Agua Dulce, California, USA (Vulcan)
• Paramount Pictures
• Spyglass Entertainment
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $150,000,000 (estimated)
• $257,730,019
• $75,204,289
• May 10, 2009
• $385,681,768

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 7 minutes
• Dolby Digital
• 2.39 : 1 (original ratio)

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.

How to watch Star Trek in order

Whether you're wanting to check out the Original Series or Discovery, figuring out how to watch Star Trek in order is a breeze with this easy guide!

Is it just us or is figuring out how to watch Star Trek in order getting more and more complex with each passing year? The prospect of watching Star Trek in order would be daunting for even the most decorated of starship captains with multiple series being brought to life on both the big and small screens. But fear not Trekkies - we've got you covered!

If you've ever tried to watch the Marvel movies in order , you'd be forgiven for thinking that was the most complicated franchise on the planet, but we kid you not - it has nothing on Star Trek. The 55-year-old sci-fi franchise includes nine (soon to be 11) TV shows and 13 movies and it spans 1000 years, making for one super complicated and vast timeline.

So, what is the best way to watch Star Trek in order? Well, that depends. For you purists out there, you might like to opt for viewing this franchise by release date, just like all the original Trekkie fans did back in the day. This will allow you to follow along as they did and get a similar experience. While the timeline does jump around, ( Star Trek: Discovery , for example, is set at the end of the 32nd century but was released before Star Trek: Picard , which is set in the 24th century), it gives you a more complete picture. 

Because the Star Trek franchise involves movies and TV series that take place at different times, another option is to watch everything in chronological order. This means you get to start with something a little bit more modern, but the one problem with this is that references will often be made to films you've not yet seen, which could make certain elements difficult to follow. 

To be honest, just like we recommend in our guide to how to watch the Star Wars movies in order , it really is a matter of personal preference. As long as you have one of the best TVs , you'll find you enjoy this franchise no matter what order you decide to watch it in.

So, without further ado, here's how to watch Star Trek in order - based on release date and in-universe continuity...

Star Trek TV shows and movies in chronological order

This is probably the list you're looking for if you're trying to figure out how to watch Star Trek in order. It's where things get really interesting, as Star Trek movies and TV shows have a habit of jumping around the franchise's chronology with sequels, prequels and bits in between. There are even two distinct timelines – but don't worry, we'll explain all that.

The original ‘Prime’ timeline was started by the Original Series, the Next Generation-era TV shows, and the first ten movies, The alternative ‘Kelvin’ timeline, meanwhile, was created in JJ Abrams’ first Star Trek (2009) to allow the familiar Enterprise crew of Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, Sulu, Uhura and Chekov to have new adventures without contradicting canon . To avoid confusion, we've defined the two timelines as separate entities below.

This list doesn't, however, include all of the brief Short Treks – short stories which are mostly set around the Star Trek: Discovery era – and adventures where Starfleet crews time-travelled to the eras before any of the shows/movies are set (eg visits to 1986 in The Voyage Home and 2063 in First Contact). We've also left out upcoming Discovery spin-off Star Trek: Section 31 , since it's not yet in production. (Also, we're not entirely sure exactly when it'll be set.)

Let's start with everything in one big list. 

• Star Trek: Enterprise (seasons 1-4)
• ‘The Cage’
• Star Trek: Discovery (seasons 1-2)
• Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
• Star Trek: The Original Series  (seasons 1-3)
• Star Trek: The Animated Series 
• Star Trek: The Motion Picture 
• Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan 
• Star Trek 3: The Search for Spock 
• Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home 
• Star Trek 5: The Final Frontier 
• Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country 
• Star Trek: Generations (opening sequence)
• Star Trek: The Next Generation (seasons 1-5)
• Star Trek: The Next Generation (seasons 6-7), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (seasons 1-2)
• Star Trek: Generations
• Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (seasons 3-4), Star Trek: Voyager (seasons 1-2)
• Star Trek: First Contact 
• Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (seasons 5-6), Star Trek: Voyager (seasons 3-4)
• Star Trek: Insurrection 
• S tar Trek: Deep Space Nine (season 7), Star Trek: Voyager (season 5)
• Star Trek: Voyager (seasons 6-7)
• Star Trek: Nemesis 
• Star Trek: Lower Decks
• Star Trek: Prodigy
• Star Trek (2009) – Prime timeline sequences
• Star Trek: Picard
• Star Trek: Discovery (season 3-)
• Short Treks: 'Calypso'

If you watch in the order given above, you'll get a continuous ‘history’ of the 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 32nd centuries according to the Star Trek timeline. That said, you will notice some odd discrepancies – thanks to the time in which respective shows were made, the technology in prequel show Star Trek: Discovery is significantly more advanced than what Kirk and Spock used in the Original Series.

Below, we'll explain how the different eras of the shows and movies break down for context. 

Note that Gene Roddenberry's original pre-Kirk Star Trek pilot, 'The Cage', is counted as an instalment of the Original Series. You'll usually find it listed as a bonus episode as part of season one when you're watching it on streaming services.

Star Trek: Enterprise era (22nd century) Begins and ends with: Star Trek Enterprise seasons 1-4

About a century before James T Kirk and his crew embark on their famous five-year mission in Star Trek: The Original Series, Captain Jonathan Archer leads Earth's first steps into the wider universe.

Star Trek: The Original Series era (23rd century) Begins with: 'The Cage' Ends with: Star Trek: Generations (opening sequence)

For many this is the most familiar era of Star Trek, since it involves Kirk, Spock and the classic Enterprise crew.  

This section of the Trek timeline kicks off with the original unaired Star Trek pilot, 'The Cage' . Next up in franchise chronology are the first two seasons of Star Trek: Discovery , which work as a prequel to the Original Series (they even feature a younger version of Spock), but it's all change in season 3 – the events of the season 2 finale send the crew into the distant future of the 32nd century. More on that later...

Upcoming spin-off Strange New Worlds will follow the adventures of Captain Pike, Number One and Spock on the Enterprise after the USS Discovery travelled to the future. And at some point after that, Captain James T Kirk will take command of Starfleet's most famous ship – a role he filled throughout The Original Series , The Animated Series and the first six Star Trek movies ( Star Trek: The Motion Picture , The Wrath of Khan , The Search for Spock , The Voyage Home , The Final Frontier and The Undiscovered Country ).

The latest point we've seen (so far) in the 23rd century era is James T Kirk being taken away by the Nexus ribbon in the prologue of Star Trek: Generations . This is the event that allows Kirk to meet Picard when the Next Generation crew take on the mantle of headlining the big screen franchise.

Star Trek: The Next Generation era (24th century) Begins with: Star Trek: The Next Generation Ends with: Star Trek (2009) – Prime timeline sequences

The richest, most complicated period in Star Trek chronology. During The Next Generation era, Star Trek was experimenting with the idea of a shared universe years before Marvel got in on the act, with three TV shows (TNG, Deep Space Nine and Voyager ) and four movies ( Generations , First Contact , Insurrection and Nemesis ) interweaving through the same timeline – Voyager's Captain Kathryn Janeway even shows up in Star Trek: Nemesis as a newly promoted admiral.

New animated comedy spin-off Lower Decks is set a year after Picard and the Next Generation crew's final mission in Star Trek: Nemesis, while Nickelodeon kids' cartoon Star Trek: Prodigy will see Kate Mulgrew reprising her role as Voyager's captain, Kathryn Janeway. That suggests it will presumably be set at a similar point in the Star Trek timeline.

In JJ Abrams' first Star Trek movie (2009), the destruction of Romulus and Spock Prime's accidental trip back to the pre-Original Series era (in the Kelvin timeline) also take place after the events of Nemesis.

In the list above, we've shown how the movies (roughly) fit into the chronology of The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager. 

Picard era (turn of the 25th century) Begins with: Picard Ends with: ???

Aside from glimpses of the destruction of Romulus in JJ Abrams’ Star Trek (2009), Star Trek: Picard gives us our first post-Star Trek: Nemesis look at what the United Federation of Planets has become. 

Since we last saw Jean-Luc Picard, he's retired to his vineyard in France, an android uprising on Mars has led to a ban on all synthetic life, and a disabled Borg Cube (known simply as the 'Artifact') is being mined for technology.

Distant future (32nd century) Begins with : Star Trek: Discovery season 2 (finale) Ends with: ???

In order to save the galaxy, the brave crew of the USS Discovery set off on a one-way mission 900 years into the future in Star Trek: Discovery 's season 2 finale. Their 32nd century destination is new territory for Star Trek – thanks to the mysterious 'Burn', most of the dilithium in the galaxy has been destroyed, making warp travel impossible. As a result, the Federation is a shadow of its former self – even Earth has decided to go it alone.

This isn't, however, the furthest Star Trek has ventured into the future – Short Trek ' Calypso ' is set on the Discovery in a distant future where the ship's computer has become sentient.

Star Trek's alternate 'Kelvin' timeline explained

In 2009's Star Trek movie directed by JJ Abrams, Spock Prime tries to save Romulus from a supernova, inadvertently creates a black hole while doing so, and gets pulled into the past, along with Romulan mining vessel the Narada. Once there, the Narada attacks the USS Kelvin on the day James T Kirk is born. The ship is destroyed as Kirk's father, George, sacrifices himself to save the rest of the crew. 

When all that happens, the alternative ‘Kelvin’ timeline is created, with events unfolding in parallel (but with remarkable similarity) to the original Prime timeline.

Got all that? There are just three movies set in the Kelvin timeline:

• Star Trek (2009)
• Star Trek into Darkness
• Star Trek Beyond

Star Trek TV shows and movies in release date order

• Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)
• Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1974)
• Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
• Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
• Star Trek 3: The Search for Spock (1984)
• Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home (1986)
• ‘The Cage’ (previously unavailable Star Trek pilot from 1965, given VHS release in 1986)
• Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
• Star Trek 5: The Final Frontier (1989)
• Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
• Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)
• Star Trek: Generations (1994)
• Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001) 
• Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
• Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
• Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005)
• Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
• Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
• Star Trek Beyond (2016)
• Star Trek: Discovery (2017-)
• Short Treks (2018-2020)
• Star Trek: Picard (2020-)
• Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-)
• Star Trek: Prodigy (2021, TBC)
• Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (TBC)

Considering The Original Series was cancelled after just three seasons in 1969, it's remarkable that Star Trek is still around half a century later. But as the show's popularity grew in syndication on US TV, Trek fandom became a big enough force for the five-year mission to resume via Star Trek: The Animated Series in 1973. Most of the original cast – with the notable exception of Walter Koenig (Chekov) – were enticed back to voice their characters. 

Then, helped by Star Wars turning sci-fi into the hottest genre in Hollywood, Star Trek beamed onto the big screen with 1979's The Motion Picture . The original crew headed up five more movies ( The Wrath of Khan , The Search for Spock , The Voyage Home , The Final Frontier and The Undiscovered Country ) before bowing out in 1991. The ’80s also gave the world a hint of the Star Trek that never was when 'The Cage' , the original unaired pilot, was released on VHS in 1986 (it appeared on TV two years later). Of the pilot crew, only Leonard Nimoy's Spock went on to reprise his role in the TV show, though footage from 'The Cage' was used extensively in the Original Series’ only two-parter, 'The Menagerie'. 

While the Enterprise was making it big in cinemas, the franchise returned to its TV roots in 1987 with The Next Generation . Set over 70 years after Kirk and Spock's final mission, it featured a new crew – led by Captain Jean-Luc Picard – on board a new starship Enterprise. The Next Generation was arguably even more successful than the Original Series, spawning two spin-off series: Deep Space Nine (which began in 1993) played with the Trek format by focusing on a space station, while Voyager (1995) dumped its crew on the other side of the galaxy, hundreds of light years from home. 

The Next Generation crew also fronted four movies of their own ( Generations , First Contact , Insurrection and Nemesis ) between 1995 and 2002.

After Voyager came to an end in 2001, Star Trek left the Next Generation era behind, and went in a completely different direction – Star Trek: Enterprise was a prequel set a century before Kirk and Spock's adventures. Enterprise lasted only four seasons, however (The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager all made it to seven), and was canceled in 2005.

These were also dark times for the movie branch of the Trek franchise, as the disappointing box office performance of Nemesis had put the film saga on hiatus – it wasn't until 2009 that Star Trek warped back onto the big screen. 

Future Star Wars: The Force Awakens director JJ Abrams (already hot property as director of Mission: Impossible 3 and co-creator of Lost) gave the franchise an action blockbuster makeover, recasting Kirk, Spock and the rest of the original crew as rookies on their first mission. The reboot, simply titled Star Trek , made more than twice as much at the box office as any of its predecessors, and two sequels ( Star Trek into Darkness , Star Trek Beyond ) followed. 

Star Trek belatedly returned to TV in 2017 with Star Trek: Discovery . Set a decade before the Original Series, it was a darker, more serialized Trek than we’d seen before – more in tune with the prestige shows of the so-called Golden Age of TV. As it’s turned out, it was just the beginning of Star Trek's renewed assault on TV...

A series of brief Short Treks appeared online ahead of Discovery's second season, while The Next Generation follow-up Star Trek: Picard left spacedock in January 2020. Animated series Lower Decks followed in August 2020, and Discovery spin-off Strange New Worlds – featuring Anson Mount's Captain Pike, Rebecca Romijn's Number One and Ethan Peck's Spock on the pre-Kirk Enterprise – is now in production. 

There's also another cartoon offering heading for the Alpha Quadrant, in the form of animated kids show Star Trek: Prodigy.

And there's potentially even more to come, as the much-talked about Michelle Yeoh vehicle Section 31 is still in development. But with Paramount Plus programming boss Julie McNamara telling Variety that the streaming service's current aim is to debut "a new Trek every quarter", we may have to wait for Discovery, Picard, Lower Decks and/or Strange New Worlds to stand aside before we get a new TV iteration of Trek.

To keep things simple, all the shows above are listed by the date their first episode aired. While the chronology does jump around if you watch Star Trek in order of release date, there are some benefits. For example, the prequel shows assume a fair bit of knowledge of earlier series, like the Borg's appearance in Star Trek: Enterprise episode 'Regeneration', or Star Trek: Discovery's revelations about the ultimate fate of Christopher Pike (the Enterprise captain in 'The Cage', who later shows up in 'The Menagerie'). Moments like that undoubtedly make more sense in the context of later events in the Star Trek timeline. 

How to stream Star Trek TV shows and movies

If you just want to know how to stream the 13 Star Trek movies and eight TV shows in the US and the UK, we've laid it out below. 

In the US, the newly rebranded Paramount Plus (formerly CBS All Access) is definitely the place to go, with every TV show available to watch. In the UK, Netflix hosts all the Star Trek series except for Picard and Lower Decks.

Watching the 13 Trek movies is a rather more complex affair, with the films spread across numerous streaming services in the US and UK – and some of them you'll have to pay to rent/buy.

The TV shows

• Star Trek: The Original Series ( US: Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime Video UK: Netflix)
• Star Trek: The Animated Series ( US: Paramount Plus UK: Netflix)
• Star Trek: The Next Generation ( US: Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime Video UK: Netflix)
• Star Trek: Deep Space Nine ( US: Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime Video UK: Netflix)
• Star Trek: Voyager ( US: Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime Video UK: Netflix)
• Star Trek: Enterprise ( US: Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime Video UK: Netflix)
• Star Trek: Discovery ( US: Paramount Plus UK: Netflix)
• Star Trek: Picard ( US: Paramount Plus UK: Amazon Prime Video)
• Star Trek: Lower Decks (US: Paramount Plus US: Amazon Prime Video)
• Star Trek: The Motion Picture ( US: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu UK: Only available to rent/buy)
• Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan ( US: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu UK: Sky Cinema/Now TV)
• Star Trek 3: The Search for Spock ( US: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu UK: Sky Cinema/Now TV)
• Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home ( US: Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime Video UK: Sky Cinema/Now TV)
• Star Trek 5: The Final Frontier ( US: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu UK: Only available to rent/buy)
• Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country ( US: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu UK: Only available to rent/buy)
• Star Trek: Generations ( US: Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime Video UK: Sky Cinema/Now TV)
• Star Trek: First Contact ( US: Paramount Plus UK: Only available to rent/buy)
• Star Trek: Insurrection ( US: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu UK: Only available to rent/buy)
• Star Trek: Nemesis ( US: Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime Video UK: Only available to rent/buy)
• Star Trek 2009 ( US: DirectTV UK: Sky Cinema/Now TV)
• Star Trek Into Darkness ( US : FX Now UK: Amazon Prime Video)
• Star Trek Beyond ( US: Amazon Prime, Hulu UK: Amazon Prime Video)

Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox

Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.

Richard is a freelance journalist specialising in movies and TV, primarily of the sci-fi and fantasy variety. An early encounter with a certain galaxy far, far away started a lifelong love affair with outer space, and these days Richard's happiest geeking out about Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel and other long-running pop culture franchises. In a previous life he was editor of legendary sci-fi and fantasy magazine SFX, where he got to interview many of the biggest names in the business – though he'll always have a soft spot for Jeff Goldblum who (somewhat bizarrely) thought Richard's name was Winter.

How to watch MTV Video Music Awards 2024 online from anywhere

How to watch Dragon Ball Super online: stream every episode for free from anywhere now

Windows and macOS apps in perfect harmony on your Mac device? Parallels Desktop version 20 says yes

Most Popular

• 2 Predator spyware is still active and more difficult to track – here's how to stay safe
• 3 Devious new cyberattack leaks secrets from LCD screen noise on air-gapped computers
• 4 Bag one of the best robot vacuums we've ever seen for a great price at Amazon
• 5 Ivanti patches serious endpoint management software security bugs, so update now

• Where to watch 'Star Trek' TV shows
• Where to watch 'Star Trek' movies
• 'Star Trek' timeline and eras explained

Where to watch every 'Star Trek' movie and TV show, from 'The Original Series' to 'Strange New Worlds'

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

• There are now 12 shows and 13 movies in the "Star Trek" franchise.
• The iconic sci-fi series focuses on the lives of Starfleet members as they explore the universe.
• Most "Star Trek" titles are available to stream on Paramount Plus ($5/month).

The "Star Trek" franchise continues to boldly go where no man has gone before. From "The Original Series" in 1966 to the spin-offs, sequels, and prequels of today, "Star Trek" has been a pop culture mainstay for more than 50 years. 

The franchise focuses on the adventures of various Starfleet crew members as they travel throughout the universe. And beneath the series' fun escapism, "Star Trek" movies and shows have used science fiction to comment on issues like racism, sexism, human rights, and politics. By exploring new worlds in "The Original Series," creator Gene Roddenberry was able to tell allegorical stories with thoughtful themes that relate to our own experiences.

In many ways, "Star Trek" has always highlighted diverse storytelling. In fact, one of the first interracial kisses ever aired on TV was in an episode of "The Original Series." This mix of sci-fi entertainment and social commentary is still present in the latest "Star Trek" installments, most of which air as Paramount Plus originals. "Star Trek: Discovery" introduced multiple queer leads, including the first transgender and non-binary characters in the "Star Trek" universe. 

If you're a new fan looking to explore the world of "Star Trek" for the first time, or you're a devoted Trekkie who just wants to watch it all over again, we've compiled a list of every "Star Trek" movie and TV show, along with details on where you can stream them all right now. 

Where to watch 'Star Trek' shows

There are 12 "Star Trek" shows in total, including nine live-action series and three animated shows. All of the shows are available on Paramount Plus, and many are also available to buy or rent from video-on-demand (VOD) services. One series, "Deep Space Nine," is also streaming on Netflix.

Where to watch 'Star Trek' movies

The "Star Trek" franchise includes 13 movies from 1979 to 2016. A new movie is also set to begin production in spring 2022. You can currently watch every "Star Trek" film on Paramount Plus. The movies are also available to buy or rent without a subscription through different VOD services, and you can stream a couple for free with ads.

'Star Trek' timeline and eras explained

"Star Trek" movies and TV shows all take place in different time periods that focus on different crews and starships. These time periods are generally categorized by fans and creators into four distinct eras: Pre-TOS, TOS, TNG, and Kelvin

Pre-TOS era

Movies and TV shows set during the Pre-The Original Series (Pre-TOS) era take place at some point before James T. Kirk becomes captain of the Enterprise.

A few notable series set during this early time period include "Star Trek: Enterprise," "Star Trek: Discovery," and " Star Trek: Strange New Worlds ."

The Original Series (TOS) era of movies and TV shows follows the crew members on the starship USS Enterprise after Kirk (William Shatner) becomes captain. Other notable characters featured during this period include Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley), Nyota Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), and Hikaru Sulu (George Takei).

The Original Series era includes the first "Star Trek" TV show from the 1960s, as well as several spin-off movies that feature Captain Kirk and his crew. 

The Next Generation (TNG) era is set 100 years after Kirk's adventures during "The Original Series," and includes movies and TV shows about the new crew of the USS Enterprise with Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard.

"Deep Space Nine" and "Voyager" are set during this time period as well, but focus on other crews and starships. Captain Picard's story also continues after "The Next Generation" in the Paramount Plus original series "Star Trek: Picard."

Kelvin Timeline

The Kelvin Timeline was introduced in 2009 with the release of director J.J. Abrams' first "Star Trek" movie starring Chris Pine as Captain Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Commander Spock. This film features the crew from "The Original Series" but takes place in an alternate universe that's separate from the main "Star Trek" timeline. 

In this version of events, Kirk still becomes Captain of the USS Enterprise but his path to get there is brand new, which gives the writers freedom to explore different storylines with familiar characters. 

The Kelvin Timeline includes "Star Trek" (2009), "Star Trek Into Darkness" (2013), and "Star Trek Beyond" (2016). An upcoming fourth movie in the Kelvin Timeline is set to begin production in spring 2022.

Disclosure: Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Business Insider's parent company, Axel Springer, is a Netflix board member.

• Main content

Cast & Crew

James T. Kirk

Zachary Quinto

Leonard Nimoy

Spock Prime

Bruce Greenwood

Capt. Christopher Pike

Classic franchise gets new life; OK for older kids.

• Average 8.1
• Reviews 356

Information

© 2009 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Accessibility

Copyright © 2024 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

Internet Service Terms Apple TV & Privacy Cookie Policy Support

Star Trek: 10 Greatest Captain Janeway Speeches

5. you can use logic to justify almost anything - prime factors.

While Captain Janeway always strives to uphold the rules and stay true to her principles, that doesn't mean that she finds it easy. She often finds herself faced with difficult decisions that put her two most valued objectives at odds - to get her crew home safely, but to, also, maintain the ideals of Starfleet. 

In these moments of personal conflict, Janeway relies on the loyal, yet logical, counsel of Tuvok. His Vulcan mindset often helps the captain separate her personal and professional connection to a situation, while his long-standing friendship with Kathryn allows for a deep level of trust between the pair. 

Season 1's Prime Factors shows a breach in this trust, however. With the Sikarians possessing technology that could send Voyager much closer to home, but their own version of the Prime Directive prohibiting their use of it, Captain Janeway is faced with a dilemma - deny her crew an opportunity to get home, or ignore the planets rules, thereby compromising her principles. Tuvok took the burden off of his captain by securing the technology himself, behind her back, later stating that it was only logical for someone to spare her the ethical dilemma. 

Although this was an act of loyalty, it disturbs Janeway that her trusted "moral compass" has betrayed her. Even here, we see Voyager's captain facing an internal battle. The unshed tears threatened to fall as she must acknowledge the loyalty, yet admonish the insubordinate logic, delivering such a heartfelt reprimand:

I realise you made a sacrifice for me, but it's not one I would have allowed you to make. You can use logic to justify almost anything. That's it's power, and it's flaw.

Sometimes you hear my voice, sometimes you see my face and sometimes you read my words! But I’m usually away with the faeries and timelords! ?‍♀️

Customers who bought this item also bought

Other formats

29136 global ratings

How are ratings calculated? Toggle Expand Toggle Expand

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Registry & Gift List
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

Den of Geek

Every Star Trek TV Theme Song Ranked: From TOS and TNG to Discovery and Beyond

Star Trek has some of the best music in television history. And here's how the greatest themes stack up with one another.

• Share on Facebook (opens in a new tab)
• Share on Twitter (opens in a new tab)
• Share on Linkedin (opens in a new tab)
• Share on email (opens in a new tab)

“Space… the Final Frontier.” Those words have a certain sound to them, and not just because you hear the voice of William Shatner or Patrick Stewart saying them. They have a sound to them because they’re associated with music, specifically some of the most iconic themes in television history.

Even more so than the cold opens that accompany most episodes of Star Trek , the themes need to capture the franchise’s sense of wonder, optimism, and discovery. They need to evoke in the mind of the watcher an endless horizon just waiting for a Starfleet crew to find.

Every Star Trek TV theme achieves this goal, albeit some better than others. So here’s our ranking of every theme song from the most pedestrian to the most inspiring.

11. Star Trek: The Animated Series

It’s so much easier to admire Star Trek: The Animated Series than it is to enjoy it. As much as the show manages to evoke the spirit and feel part of the Original Series on a cheap TV animation budget, one has to look past a lot of clunkiness to get to the good stuff.

Ad – content continues below

The same is true of the new theme music by Filmation composer Ray Ellis, under the pseudonym Yvette Blais and Jeff Michael. At times, the TAS theme captures the sense of wonder found in the Original Series theme. But too often it’s thin and tinny, hampered by flat orchestration and poorly-recorded horns. The composition itself isn’t too bad, but it feels quintessentially 1970s, dated in a way the best themes do not. Instead of boldly going, The Animated Series theme keeps things stuck in the world of Filmation.

10. Star Trek: Picard

Star Trek: Picard wanted to move the main character away from the respected captain we knew from The Next Generation . This was an older, more contemplative man, living in disgrace from even the organization through which he built his legend. The Picard theme by Jeff Russo reflects those intentions, a soft, almost discordant piece of music that eschews the stirring confidence of the other themes.

Russo works in elements of previous Star Trek music, namely the march of the TNG theme and the tune from “The Inner Light.” But no part connects with the other, feeling like a series of fragments more than a complete whole. Although one appreciates the daring in Russo’s composition for Picard , it’s much less enjoyable than most of the other themes. A good idea in theory, but not in execution, like much of Picard itself.

9. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

So much of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is about making something new with the familiar. Spun off from the very different Discovery , Strange New Worlds puts viewers back on the Enterprise , filled with familiar characters, including Uhura, Spock, and James T. Kirk himself. The theme by Jeff Russo tries to do the same, right down to the traditional spoken word intro, this time delivered by Anson Mount as Captain Pike.

Except, unlike the rest of SNW , the theme feels like a retread of glory days instead of a new interpretation of classic ideas. The song isn’t bad, combining the marching cadence of the TOS theme with the wistful hope of the modern themes. It’s a pleasing composition, but also unsurprising. It sounds more like an update of the classic Trek theme, which isn’t bad, but is a bit underwhelming.

8. Star Trek: Lower Decks

Almost every complaint lodged against the theme for Strange New Worlds also applies to Star Trek: Lower Decks . Although far more irreverent, Lower Decks goes back to a fan-favorite point in time, during the 1990s series, and its theme reflects that setting. Chris Westlake, who worked with showrunner Mike McMahan on Solar Opposites , emulates the tone of ’90s Trek shows, especially TNG .

The propulsive tune has the sense of adventure that one wants for a good Trek theme, threaded with notes of wonder and whimsey. Some might complain that the tune doesn’t indicate the show’s comedic elements, but that’s part of the Lower Decks charm. The show pokes loving fun at Star Trek , coming from a place of deep knowledge and respect for the franchise, which the theme song reflects.

Get the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!

7. Star Trek: Discovery

The farther we get from the show’s first few seasons, the easier it is to see Star Trek: Discovery as the experimental, off-beat franchise entry that it is. That experimental aspect is reflected in the way the theme song from composer Jeff Russo integrates elements of the classic TOS theme, but then moves in its own direction.

Instead of just launching forward, the theme holds back. A bed of soft bass holds the theme together, giving space for playful strings. But the theme plays out in loosely connected pieces, never really coming together, even when it returns to notes of the TOS theme at the end. All of these elements signal an evolving series, one that has no one single identity—fitting for Discovery .

6. Star Trek: The Original Series

Alright, let’s just get this out of the way. The theme to Star Trek: The Original Series is iconic. There’s a reason that so many modern Trek themes quote the original. That said, there’s a reason that these themes only quote the start, the tinkling chimes that accompany the “Final Frontier” speech or the confident strings that follow.

No one quotes the rest of the theme, and there’s a reason for that. While the melody itself is pleasing and fits the exploration ideas of the show, nothing else in the song from Alexander Courage works. The vocals are cheesy and irritating, the bongos are too busy, drawing attention from the best parts of the song. Courage’s composition deserves credit for setting the standard, but no one is upset that the themes moved on from there.

5. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Many ( including folks at Den of Geek ) put Star Trek: Deep Space Nine at the top of franchise rankings. The show’s moral complexity, its vision of different people and groups trying to come together, and its embrace of concepts such as large-scale war and religion make it hard to beat as the greatest entry in Star Trek history.

However, the theme by Dennis McCarthy doesn’t really hint at these titanic stakes—even after it was revamped in later seasons. Instead, the slow, contemplative theme evokes loneliness and even stagnation. A solo trumpet drives the theme, playing over the warm strings that rise and fall away. It makes for a beautiful work, but not one that stays in the mind like others.

4. Star Trek: Prodigy

Star Trek: Prodigy is easily the most unique of the Star Trek shows. Directed at kids with an animation style that recalls the Star Wars series on Disney+, yet still a sequel to Star Trek: Voyager , Prodigy doesn’t necessarily sound like an idea that would succeed. And yet, with its team of plucky kids and fantastic stories about established characters like Janeway, Chakotay, and Wesley Crusher , Prodigy embodies the Trek ethos better than any other current show.

That unique approach is highlighted in the show’s theme, which comes from none other than Michael Giacchino. The tune owes a debt to Voyager , unsurprisingly, but there’s also a lot of his work from the Kelvin universe movies in there, too. A warm, confident melody pushes the song forward, giving way for occasional moments of reflective calm and explosive propulsion. The song reflects the excitement of the show, in which a bunch of rowdy kids follow in the footsteps of respected travelers.

3. Star Trek: Enterprise

Yes. Really. Of course, we all recoiled in disgust the first time that we heard the lyrics “faith of the heart” greeting us to Enterprise’s premiere “Broken Bow.” Why abandon the orchestral themes that have always been part of the series? And why abandon them for a terrible adult contemporary number, one written by Diane Warren for the awful Robin Williams vehicle Patch Adams ?

But something strange happens by the time you get to episode 8. You start singing along. The radio-friendly licks and obvious hooks sink in and feel, somehow, right. And when the more up-tempo version kicks in with season three, we’re all channeling our inner Russell Watson to belt out our feelings. I guess you could say it’s a long road to loving “Where My Heart Will Take Me,” but we all get there eventually.

2. Star Trek: The Next Generation

Yes, this is a cheat. The music used in Star Trek: The Next Generation first came from Jerry Goldsmith’s score for Star Trek: The Motion Picture . But, honestly, do you associate that stirring march with Kirk in his pajamas, staring at the viewscreen? Or do you picture Jean-Luc Picard and Data and Q? Of course, it’s the latter, even if we’re watching a way-too-long sequence of the saucer section of the Enterprise-D separating.

The theme is a better fit for TNG than TMP anyway because it’s all about moving forward. Goldsmith’s composition strides forward, not even pausing for a second to second guess itself. Even when it softens for a reflective middle section, the theme keeps marching ahead, boldly going, all the way to its final triumphant flourish, keeping Trek alive for the next generation and beyond.

1. Star Trek: Voyager

Star Trek: Voyager may be the least loved among the first five series, but it has the most perfect theme of the entire franchise. Jerry Goldsmith nails it, combining the forward march of TNG with the sense of wonder from TOS and the loneliness of DS9 . This is a show about a ship lost in a distant quadrant, holding to their exploration ideals while remaining confident that they’ll get home.

Those aspects combine in the central tension of the theme, with the brass punching out its main melody and soft strings rising up, adding hints of sadness. Throughout the song come occasional chimes, highlighting the hopeful moments in Voyager ‘s journey, while never forgetting the danger and sadness in their plight. It’s everything wonderful about Star Trek , all presented in one minute and 40 seconds.

Joe George | @jageorgeii

Joe George’s writing has appeared at Slate, Polygon, Tor.com, and elsewhere!

• Update Preference
• Manage Collection
• GQ Binge Watch

7 heart pounding hijack movies that will give you an instant adrenaline rush; available on Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix and more

These movies pull you into edge-of-your-seat situations, where every second counts and lives hang in the balance.

• " data-post-id="278678">

Hijack movies are the perfect blend of heart-pounding tension, high-stakes drama, and non-stop action . Whether it’s a plane, train, or ship, the thrill of watching hostages in peril and daring heroes racing against the clock creates an adrenaline rush like no other. These movies pull you into edge-of-your-seat situations, where every second counts and lives hang in the balance. From gripping rescue missions to psychological standoffs, here’s a list of adrenaline-fueled hijack movies that will keep you hooked until the very last moment.

1. Neerja – Disney+ Hotstar

Neerja is a powerful, real-life-inspired thriller that depicts the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in 1986 by armed terrorists. The movie focuses on Neerja Bhanot ( Sonam Kapoor ), a 22-year-old flight attendant who showed immense courage during the ordeal, risking her life to save passengers. The movie stands out for its emotional depth, intense scenes, and inspiring portrayal of bravery in the face of terror. Kapoor delivers a standout performance as Neerja, capturing both her vulnerability and heroic resolve. The movie also pays tribute to an unsung hero who sacrificed her life to save others. If you are looking for a hijack movie based on true events with a mix of tension, emotion, and heroism, Neerja is a must-watch.

2. Captain Phillips – Amazon Prime Video

This a gripping, true-story-based thriller starring Tom Hanks in the titular role. The movie recounts the 2009 hijacking of the Maersk Alabama, a U.S. cargo ship, by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. Hanks plays Captain Richard Phillips, who must navigate the life-threatening situation as the pirates board his vessel and take him hostage in a tense standoff. The documentary-style direction by Paul Greengrass adds a touch of realism to the movie. Hanks’s remarkable performance, especially in the emotionally charged final scenes, adds depth to the movie. Barkhad Abdi, who plays the pirate leader, makes an impressive debut with a chilling performance, adding to the tension. It explores themes of survival, leadership, and the desperation of individuals on both sides of the hijacking. It’s an edge-of-your-seat thriller with a focus on human drama, tension, and the reality of modern piracy.

3. Zameen (2003) – YouTube

This Bollywood action thriller directed by Rohit Shetty, revolves around a high-stakes plane hijacking and a mission to prevent a terrorist plot. The movie stars Ajay Devgn as Col Ranvir Singh Ranawat, an Indian Army officer, Abhishek Bachchan as ACP Jaideep Rai, and Bipasha Basu as Nandini, a flight attendant and Jaideep’s fiance. The movie centres around a group of terrorists who hijack an Indian Airlines flight and demand the release of their leader, who has been captured by Indian security forces. Ranvir and Jaideep team up to execute a daring rescue mission and save the hostages on board. The fast-paced thriller with patriotic themes, intense action sequences, and a gripping storyline keeps you hooked. It was one of Rohit Shetty’s earlier directorial ventures, marking the start of his journey into action-packed cinema.

4. The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) – Amazon Prime Video

Headlined by Denzel Washington and John Travolta, the movie is a remake of the 1974 film of the same name. Travolta plays Dennis ‘Ryder’ Ford, aka Mr. Blue, a criminal and mastermind behind the hijacking of a New York City subway train. They demand a large ransom from the city, threatening to kill the hostages on board if their demands aren’t met. Washington plays Walter Garber, a subway dispatcher who becomes a negotiator with Ryder during the hostage situation. What follows is a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, with Garber trying to outsmart Ryder while dealing with pressure from city officials. The movie is known for its fast pacing, high-intensity sequences, and the dynamic between Washington and Travolta. Tony Scott’s direction adds a slick, modern touch to the story, with the claustrophobic setting of the subway adding to the tension. 

5. Blood Red Sky – Netflix

Nadja (Peri Baumeister) is travelling with her young son on a plane bound for New York . However, when a group of terrorists hijacked the plane, Nadja is forced to reveal a dark secret about herself. As the hijackers take control, Nadja must fight to protect her son and the other passengers, even as her humanity begins to slip away. The movie offers a unique blend of hijacking and supernatural horror, as it follows a transatlantic flight that turns into a nightmarish fight for survival. It stands out for its unconventional mix of genres, combining the tension of a hijacking thriller with horror elements, including intense action, gory sequences, and a mother’s struggle to maintain control of her monstrous side.

6. Yodha – Amazon Prime Video

Starring Sidharth Malhotra in the lead role, the action-packed thriller takes us on an adrenaline-fuelled ride with its plot and performances. Sidharth plays Arun Katyal, a soldier and the Yodha Task Force member. When the plane he is travelling by is hijacked, he must figure out a way to save the passengers while combating terrorists. The movie boasts intense action sequences, high-octane stunts, and an emotional narrative centred on bravery and survival.

7. 7500 – Amazon Prime Video

Tobias Ellis (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a co-pilot on a commercial flight from Berlin to Paris . Shortly after takeoff, the plane is hijacked by terrorists who try to break into the cockpit. Tobias is left to manage the crisis from inside the cockpit, making life-or-death decisions as he tries to protect the passengers and crew while maintaining control of the aircraft. What sets the movie apart from other hijack films is its focus on realism and the limited setting. The majority of the movie is shot from inside the cockpit, which heightens the tension and gives you a front-row seat to the drama that unfolds on screen. This is more of a suspense-driven thriller than a high-octane action movie, emphasising character development and the nerve-wracking tension of a hijacking in real-time.

• Celebrities
• Sonam Kapoor
• Based on true stories
• Amazon Prime
• In this story
• Amazon Prime Video

Similar Stories You Might Like

Entertainment

Binge Watch

Relationships

Gq style & culture awards, men of the year, gq wardrobe, best dressed, the showcase, the platinum man.

• Subscribe Digital Newsletter

Middle East

South Africa