- Paramount is marking the franchise’s six decades of cultural impact with multi-platform programming, spanning broadcast television, streaming on Paramount+, and nationwide theater re-releases.
- Fans can access unique live activations, including outdoor screenings at the Autry Museum in Los Angeles, a London Underground takeover, and a Guinness World Records attempt at the Science Museum.
- The year-long milestone rollout also features new additions to the expanding universe, such as the preschool animated series Star Trek: Scouts and the scripted podcast Star Trek: Khan.
Six Decades of the Final Frontier
When Gene Roddenberry’s creation first beamed into living rooms on NBC nearly sixty years ago, few anticipated that the “Wagon Train to the stars” concept would evolve into a multi-billion-dollar global phenomenon.
Here is the kicker: the studio’s anniversary strategy relies just as heavily on traditional broadcast and theatrical windows as it does on streaming. From September 4 to September 8, more than 750 theaters across the U.S. are screening restored 4K presentations of classic franchise films alongside theatrical debuts of select Star Trek: The Original Series episodes. Attendees at participating AMC and other theater locations also gain first access to limited-edition Star Trek “Enterprise” popcorn vessels and commemorative drink cups.
Television Marathons and Network Takeovers
Television remains the spiritual home of Starfleet, and networks are clearing schedules to honor the legacy. On September 7, Entertainment Tonight launches the celebration with an “ET Vault Unlocked” special, featuring rare archival behind-the-scenes footage and vintage interviews with Gene Roddenberry and classic cast members.
Daytime television is getting in on the action as well. On September 8, CBS game shows The Price Is Right and Let’s Make A Deal air Star Trek-themed episodes complete with special surprises and guest appearances from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds stars Rebecca Romijn and Ethan Peck. Meanwhile, Nick at Nite anchors a late-night marathon of memorable Star Trek-themed episodes from The Big Bang Theory, running from 10:00 PM to 2:00 ET/PT.
On the streaming side, Paramount+ is balancing celebratory specials with active franchise rollouts. Season four of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds concludes on September 24 ahead of its fifth and final season scheduled for 2027. Meanwhile, the franchise continues its broader demographic expansion with projects like Star Trek: Scouts, an animated YouTube series from Nickelodeon Digital Studio that follows three eight-year-old cadets training to become Starfleet Explorers, and the new scripted podcast Star Trek: Khan, which explores the descent of the iconic villain.
Global Fan Activations and Landmark Honors
The 60th-birthday bonanza extends far beyond North American screens into high-profile international locations. In London, Samsung’s King’s Cross store is hosting themed screenings and activations, while King’s Cross St Pancras and South Kensington stations undergo a massive Star Trek underground takeover as part of a four-destination fan capital trail.
Back in Los Angeles, the Autry Museum plays host to “Star Trek Under the Stars,” offering free outdoor screenings of The Original Series episode “The Man Trap” alongside an advance screening of Strange New Worlds episode “Orders of Magnitude.” Crucially, the celebration also honors the foundational creators of the universe. The Roddenberry family, the Hollywood Historic Trust, and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce are partnering to restore Gene Roddenberry’s original 1985 Star plaque on Hollywood Boulevard.
| Event / Release | Date | Platform / Location |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Films & TOS Theatrical Screenings | Sept. 4 – 8, 2026 | 750+ U.S. Theaters |
| ET Vault Unlocked Star Trek Special | Sept. 7, 2026 | Entertainment Tonight (Broadcast) |
| The Price Is Right & Let’s Make A Deal Specials | Sept. 8, 2026 | CBS / Paramount+ |
| Star Trek Under the Stars Screening | Sept. 8, 2026 | Autry Museum, Los Angeles |
| Strange New Worlds Season 4 Finale | Sept. 24, 2026 | Paramount+ |
But the math tells a different story about how modern franchises sustain momentum: legacy preservation is paired with aggressive multi-platform expansion. Beyond the current week’s festivities, the year-long celebration kicked off earlier with a dedicated float in the Rose Parade reflecting core franchise values of hope, inclusivity, and exploration, while simultaneously spotlighting upcoming properties like Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.
As generations of fans gather for Guinness World Record attempts at London’s Science Museum and secure limited-edition Enterprise popcorn buckets in theaters nationwide, the enduring vitality of Roddenberry’s universe remains clear. How are you celebrating six decades of space exploration? Drop your favorite series or captain in the comments below.
