Star Trek in 2025: Season 3 of Strange New Worlds, the First Star Trek Movie in Nine Years, and Upcoming Developments

Star Trek is set to evolve significantly in 2025, embracing a streamlined focus while commemorating its 59th anniversary with the introduction of a new streaming film alongside the return of Paramount+’s flagship series. Amid the ongoing acquisition of Paramount by Skydance and the changing landscape of streaming platforms, the Star Trek franchise is tightening its creative output. Unlike 2022, when fans enjoyed weekly episodes from five different Star Trek series, only two new projects are scheduled for 2025, yet both promise to excite the fan base.

The year 2024 marked the conclusion of Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Lower Decks, with both concluding their fifth seasons in a manner that resonated with fans. Meanwhile, on Netflix, Star Trek: Prodigy launched its second season in July to widespread acclaim, boasting a perfect 100% Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this success, there has been no confirmation regarding a potential renewal of the beloved animated series by Netflix.

In comparison, the wealth of 10 live-action and 30 animated half-hour episodes aired in 2024 appears bountiful when juxtaposed with the streamlined offerings of Star Trek anticipated for 2025.

Star Trek: Section 31

Star Trek’s First Streaming Movie Premieres January 24, 2025

Following a nearly decade-long hiatus since Star Trek Beyond, the franchise will debut its first streaming-exclusive film, Star Trek: Section 31, premiering on Friday, January 24, 2025, on Paramount+. The film showcases an intriguing cast, featuring Kacey Rohl as Rachel Garrett, Sam Richardson as a Chameloid known as Quasi, and Miku Martineau portraying a young Philippa Georgiou.

Watch the Trailer

In this installment, audiences will follow Emperor Georgiou, who lives under an alias within the fringes of the United Federation of Planets, as she is drawn into a mission orchestrated by Starfleet’s covert Section 31 division. This journey sees Georgiou grappling with her past and the murky ethics of the agency. Originally envisioned as a television series, the transition to a streaming film was catalyzed by the pandemic and Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar recognition. The success of Section 31 may pave the way for sequels and further films centered on other iconic Star Trek characters.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3

Captain Pike & The Starship Enterprise Will Finally Return

After a two-year pause due to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will return for its third season on Paramount+ in 2025, likely by early next year. This beloved series has captivated both critics and audiences, making the upcoming season highly anticipated. Season 3 will not only resolve the cliffhanger finale of Season 2 but also features episodes with unique themes including “Hollywood murder mystery,”directed by Jonathan Frakes, and a comedic episode where Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and his crew take on Vulcan personas.

Joining the cast for Season 3 will be Martin Quinn, stepping in as a series regular as Lt. Montgomery Scott (Scotty). Additionally, Cillian O’Sullivan is set to appear as Dr. Roger Korby, the future fiancé of Nurse Christine Chapel (played by Jess Bush), while Rhys Darby will guest star in a role that remains under wraps. Encouragingly, news indicates that Season 4 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will begin filming in spring 2025, ensuring fans can look forward to at least another ten episodes post-Season 3, likely premiering in 2026.

Star Trek’s 2025 Possibilities

Starfleet Academy News, Tawny Newsome’s Comedy & Star Trek’s Origin Movie

Starfleet Academy Cast Outside Star Trek Stage

The broader landscape for Star Trek in 2025 looks promising, especially with its 60th anniversary around the corner in 2026. Major announcements for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy are anticipated to drop, possibly at San Diego Comic-Con. Currently filming seasons 1 and 2 in tandem in Toronto, the series features an impressive cast, including Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti, along with legacy figures like Robert Picardo and newcomers like Tatiana Maslany. Set in the 32nd century, post-Star Trek: Discovery, this series aims to propel the franchise into an exciting new chapter.

There are also hopes for a live-action comedy project helmed by Star Trek: Lower Decks‘ Tawny Newsome and Justin Simien to get the greenlight from Paramount+ in 2025. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that a Star Trek Origin prequel movie is reportedly in production, directed by Toby Haynes (known for Black Mirror’s “USS Callister”). This prequel, set several decades prior to J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek (2009), could premiere in 2026, aligning perfectly with the celebration of Star Trek’s six-decade legacy. While 2025 might see reduced output from the franchise, there is a strong emphasis on quality over quantity.

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