Unveiling the Complete Star Trek Timeline: All the Shows & Movies Where Captain Kirk Makes His Legendary Appearance!

Captain James T. Kirk, one of the most highly esteemed Starfleet Captains, has made numerous appearances in various Star Trek productions. His journey started with Star Trek: The Original Series, where he was portrayed by William Shatner. Captain Kirk is renowned for his leadership aboard the USS Enterprise, becoming emblematic of the iconic starship. Thanks to William Shatner's distinctive acting style, Captain Kirk became widely recognized and played a pivotal role in launching the cherished and enduring Star Trek franchise.

In Star Trek: The Original Series, Captain Kirk was joined by his First Officer, Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy), and the ship's Doctor, Leonard McCoy (played by DeForest Kelley), along with the rest of the Enterprise crew. The show, which debuted in 1966, became the foundation for ten additional television series and thirteen movies, indicating its enduring popularity. Despite the Enterprise being commanded by multiple Captains in subsequent productions, it was William Shatner's portrayal of Captain Kirk that laid the crucial groundwork for all the other captivating Star Trek narratives. Consequently, Captain Kirk has become an influential figure and subject of parody within popular culture. Here is an extensive list of the official Star Trek movies and television shows in which Captain Kirk made appearances.

8 Star Trek: The Original Series

7 Star Trek: The Animated Series

Captain James T. Kirk from Star Trek: The Original Series is not only a pop culture icon, but also goes hand in hand with his First Officer and beloved confidant, Spock, who is half-Vulcan and half-human. As the commander of the flagship of the United Federation of Planets, Kirk encountered countless extraordinary alien species and found himself entangled in captivating scenarios. He carved out a distinct reputation for himself as a fearless Captain who took daring risks while ensuring the welfare of his crew. Kirk fearlessly confronted the Federation's most formidable adversaries, including the Klingons, the Romulans, and the Gorn, and emerged victorious on every occasion. The Star Trek franchise owes its unparalleled success to the indelible contributions of Captain Kirk, portrayed by the incomparable William Shatner, and his extraordinary voyages aboard the Enterprise.

Serving as a quasi-fourth season of TOS, Star Trek: The Animated Series illustrated the ongoing exploits of the Starship Enterprise. Most of the original cast returned to lend their voices to their respective characters, with William Shatner reprising his role as Captain Kirk. Throughout the series, the Enterprise encountered familiar entities from their past encounters. In the second season episode, "Yesteryear," Spock utilized the Guardian of Forever from TOS' "City on the Edge of Forever" to journey back in time. Additionally, Kirk and his crew crossed paths with Klingons, Romulans, and Harry Mudd, and they revisited the planet from "Shore Leave." Notably, in "The Ambergris Element," Kirk and Spock underwent a transformation, becoming aquatic beings capable of breathing underwater.

6 Star Trek: The Original Series Movies

Captain Kirk and his Enterprise crew had a series of thrilling adventures on the big screen following the conclusion of their five-year mission. Over the course of six Star Trek movies, Kirk and his team successfully saved the galaxy on multiple occasions. They faced formidable challenges, such as a colossal entity that posed a threat to Earth, the menacing genetically enhanced Khan Noonien-Singh (Ricardo Montalbán), Spock's unstable half-brother, and plots orchestrated by Klingon conspirators. Although not without sacrifices, Kirk and his crew emerged triumphant each time. Tragically, Kirk lost his closest friend, Spock, during the battle against Khan, but was ultimately able to play a role in bringing him back to life. The movies showcased some of Kirk and Spock's most memorable moments, with Kirk uttering several iconic lines, one of which is borrowed from J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan: "Second star to the right, and straight on 'til morning."

5 Star Trek Generations

In his last official appearance as James T. Kirk, William Shatner made a cameo in Star Trek Generations, the inaugural film of Star Trek: The Next Generation series. Although intended as a final tribute to Kirk and his crew on the Enterprise, the film received mixed reviews primarily due to the controversial manner in which Kirk met his demise. Departing from a heavenly realm called Nexus by his own choice, Kirk's final moments were witnessed solely by Captain Jean-Luc Picard (played by Patrick Stewart). Having laid Kirk to rest on Veridian III, the movie concludes with Picard and Commander William Riker (portrayed by Johnathan Frakes) mourning the loss of the USS Enterprise-D.

4 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

3 J.J. Abrams' Star Trek Movies

Captain Kirk never physically visited the eponymous space station, but he did make a memorable appearance in a single episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In season 5's "Trials and Tribble-ations," DS9 pays homage to one of the most iconic episodes from the original Star Trek series. When the USS Defiant is unexpectedly hurled 200 years into the past, Captain Sisko (Avery Brooks) and his crew find themselves embroiled in an investigation of a potential plot to assassinate Captain Kirk. Utilizing footage primarily from season 2's "The Trouble With Tribbles," this particular DS9 episode cleverly intertwines Sisko and his crew with the Enterprise crew. A truly enjoyable installment, "Trials and Tribble-ations" successfully revisits one of the finest episodes of the original series.

In the alternate Kelvin timeline, J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movies revolve around a different iteration of Captain James T. Kirk, portrayed by Chris Pine. Although these films may lack the same level of depth and contemplation as previous Trek tales, they deliver solid science fiction action while paying homage to the beloved Star Trek: The Original Series. Chris Pine's portrayal of Kirk pushes the boundaries of the character as a rebellious and charismatic figure, surpassing the charisma of Shatner's original Kirk portrayal. Together, Kirk and his crew on the Enterprise face off against a vengeful Romulan, an alternate universe version of Khan Noonien-Singh (played by Benedict Cumberbatch), and a disgruntled former Starfleet officer harboring ill feelings towards the Federation in Star Trek 2009, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond.

2 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Introduced in the final episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1, Paul Wesley breathes life into the newest incarnation of Captain James T. Kirk. Unlike the familiar version that fans know, the Kirk in "A Quality of Mercy" hails from an alternate reality where Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) continues to command the Enterprise. Similarly, the Kirk that graces season 2's "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" emerges from a bleak future where the Romulans have decimated Earth. While Kirk may not be among the main characters in Strange New Worlds, Paul Wesley's portrayal has revitalized the character, infusing it with a fresh perspective.

1 Star Trek: Picard

In Star Trek: Picard season 3, we come across an intriguing revelation. Although James Kirk himself does not make an appearance, his body is present. Well, sort of. During a mission at the Daystrom Station facility operated by Section 31, Captain William T. Riker, Commander Raffi Musiker, and Captain Worf discover a display showcasing Kirk's preserved remains. This discovery raises questions about Section 31's intentions, especially considering they also possess the body of Jean-Luc Picard.

Considerable effort must have been made to retrieve Kirk's body from Veridian III, his burial site following the events of Star Trek Generations. The presence of Kirk's still-preserved body at Daystrom Station hints at the possibility of his eventual return. Regardless of the variations of James T. Kirk that may surface in future Star Trek projects, the original incarnation of the character on Star Trek: The Original Series will forever hold an enduring place in popular culture.