Hey there, fellow Trekkies! Exciting times are ahead as the Star Trek universe continues to expand at warp speed with a whole slate of new adventures coming our way. Can you believe we’re approaching the franchise’s 60th anniversary in 2026?
Paramount clearly knows how special this milestone is because they’re pulling out all the stops with new TV shows and big-screen spectacles that’ll have us glued to our screens for years to come.
From the continuing voyages of Captain Pike’s Enterprise to brand new stories set in previously unexplored corners of the galaxy, there’s something for every fan to get hyped about. Let’s break down everything we know about what’s coming next in the Star Trek universe!
1. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 & 4
Great news for Pike and the Enterprise crew! Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 wrapped filming in May 2024 and is heading to Paramount+ in 2025. The premiere will finally resolve that nail-biting Gorn cliffhanger from Season 2!
The directing roster includes Trek veterans Chris Fisher, Valerie Weiss, Dan Liu, and fan-favorite Jonathan Frakes, who’s helming a Hollywood noir episode (Pike in a fedora, anyone?). Lucky Comic-Con attendees already got a 5-minute sneak peek of Season 3.
But here’s the really exciting part – Paramount+ has already renewed the show for Season 4! With Discovery now complete, Strange New Worlds is officially the flagship Trek series. Season 4 production starts in Spring 2025, perfectly timed to celebrate Star Trek‘s 60th anniversary in 2026.
2. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Ever wondered what it’s really like to be a Starfleet cadet? We’re about to find out! Star Trek: Starfleet Academy began production in late 2024, targeting a 2026 premiere on Paramount+. The series comes from franchise veteran Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau as co-showrunners.
Set in the 32nd century, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy introduces new cadets learning under the Academy Chancellor, played by Oscar-winner Holly Hunter. Paul Giamatti is joining as the main villain – talk about star power!
🚨BREAKING – STARFLEET ACADEMY SERIES ANNOUNCEMENT!
Paramount has officially confirmed & announced the next #StarTrek live-action series joining the #StarTreKUniverse – ‘Starfleet Academy’.
More details incoming, but press release info implies a 32nd Century set show… pic.twitter.com/Pt0mGXYTlC
— Trek Central (@TheTrekCentral) March 30, 2023
They’re going all-out with the largest set ever built for Star Trek, bringing the Academy back to San Francisco after it was relocated to space in Discovery. Kurtzman has hinted these cadets might question and even fix mistakes made by past officers. For Lower Decks fans, Tawny Newsome is part of the writer’s room, bringing her Trek expertise to the table.
3. Untitled Star Trek live-action comedy
Star Trek is finally getting its first live-action comedy! Revealed at Comic-Con, this untitled half-hour series comes from Tawny Newsome (Ensign Mariner from Lower Decks) and Justin Simien. Instead of a starship, it’s set on a pleasure planet somewhere in the galaxy – how fun is that?
Newsome says her lifelong love of Deep Space Nine and Trek’s more lighthearted episodes inspired the project. While details are slim, this fresh direction could introduce Trek to viewers who might be intimidated by the franchise’s more serious storylines.
A pleasure planet setting opens up tons of possibilities – from tourist mishaps to staff shenanigans to unexpected diplomatic incidents. Think of it as a cosmic “The White Lotus” but with that distinctive Star Trek optimism and heart. Sign me up!
4. Untitled Star Trek origin movie
Trek is heading back to theaters with an Origin Movie targeting a 2025 release! It’s being directed by Toby Haynes (of Star Wars: Andor and USS Callister fame) with a screenplay by Seth Grahame-Smith (the mind behind Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter).
J.J. Abrams returns as producer, but here’s the twist – this story is set “decades before” his 2009 reboot. While specific details remain classified, reports suggest the film will primarily take place on Earth and explore the founding of the Federation – a pivotal moment we’ve never fully seen on screen!
This could potentially show us early Starfleet pioneers and the first meetings between humans, Vulcans, Andorians, and Tellarites. Whether it connects directly to the Original Series era or charts its own course, witnessing the birth of Starfleet promises to be fascinating.
5. Star Trek 4
The Kelvin Timeline crew isn’t done yet! After nine long years since Star Trek Beyond hit theaters in 2016, Star Trek 4 is reportedly still in development with new momentum.
The project has found a fresh screenwriter in Steve Yockey (known for The Flight Attendant), and it’s being billed as the “final chapter” for Chris Pine‘s crew. The entire cast – including Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, John Cho, and Simon Pegg – have all expressed willingness to return for a proper send-off.
Would Chris Pine be interested in being a part of #StarTrek 4? #TIFF18 pic.twitter.com/4s3nxMCbtZ
— Variety (@Variety) September 7, 2018
While we can’t confirm anything since the project is going through the early stages of production, hopefully, the timing could work out perfectly for a 2026 release to coincide with Trek’s 60th-anniversary celebrations. Fingers crossed, we’ll see the Enterprise crew’s final adventure on the big screen sooner rather than later!
The future of the Final Frontier
With this impressive lineup, Star Trek is clearly thriving as it approaches its seventh decade! What’s exciting is how diverse these projects are – from the classic exploration of Strange New Worlds to the educational journey of Starfleet Academy, the workplace comedy, the historical origin film, and the blockbuster action of Star Trek 4.
This variety reflects Trek’s greatest strength – its ability to tell all kinds of stories within its optimistic vision of the future. Whether you love philosophical debates, character relationships, sci-fi concepts, action sequences, or humor, there’s upcoming content made with you in mind.
As we look toward 2025 and beyond, the franchise continues to expand while honoring the pioneering spirit Gene Roddenberry established. Live long and prosper, fellow fans – the future of Star Trek is looking brighter than ever!
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
