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Timeline

Star Trek Beyond (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 122 min · English
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Directed by
Justin Lin
Starring
Idris Elba, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Anton Yelchin
Budget
$185M

During an extensive mission beyond Federation space, the U.S.S. Enterprise is severely damaged by an unknown enemy. The crew finds themselves stranded on a hostile planet and must contend with limited resources and a dangerous alien environment. Facing a formidable threat led by the ruthless Krall, Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and the crew fight for survival while uncovering a plot involving the exploitation of ancient technology.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (16)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Star Trek Beyond
  6. 6 Every angle
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16 events in order · contains spoilers

Star Trek Beyond Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Star Trek Beyond (2016) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Kirk Begins Diplomatic Mission

    Captain James Tiberius Kirk embarks on a diplomatic mission to the Teenaxi, aiming to establish peace between the opposing factions. He attempts to offer them the Arbonath, a significant component of a weapon, as a peace offering, but the Teenaxi's distrust leads to a surprise attack.

    Where
    Teenaxi
  2. Arrival at Starbase Yorktown

    Three years into their five-year mission, the USS Enterprise arrives at Starbase Yorktown, a state-of-the-art space station. The crew gets some much-needed downtime, but Kirk feels the strain of continuing exploration, grappling with his purpose and the passage of time.

    Where
    Starbase Yorktown
  3. Kirk's Career Reflections

    Amidst his disillusionment, Captain Kirk applies for a promotion to Vice Admiral, suggesting Spock as his successor for the command of the Enterprise. Meanwhile, his crew members reconnect with their personal lives, highlighting their contrasting motivations and experiences in Starfleet.

  4. Tragic News for Spock

    Spock receives devastating news about the death of Ambassador Spock, his future self. This tragedy weighs heavy on Spock as he navigates the complexities of his personal and professional life, prompting him to reflect on his own journey.

  5. Rescue Operation Begins

    The mission takes an urgent turn when an escape pod from an uncharted nebula drifts into view. The crew of the Enterprise sets out to rescue Kalara, who claims her ship is stranded on Altamid due to a malfunction, leading them deeper into the unknown.

    Where
    Uncharted Nebula
  6. Enter the Nebula

    As the Enterprise navigates the dangerous nebula, communication with Starfleet is unexpectedly severed. The crew must rely on their skills and instincts as they approach Altamid, where potential dangers await.

    Where
    Nebula
  7. Ambushed at Altamid

    Upon reaching Altamid, the crew discovers an eerie silence, with no signs of life but significant underground activity. They are suddenly ambushed by a swarm of hostile ships led by Krall, who proves to be a formidable enemy.

    Where
    Altamid
  8. Krall Seizes the Arbonath

    During the chaos aboard the Enterprise, Krall boards the ship and seizes the Arbonath that Kirk had brought for peace negotiations. This event escalates the stakes, revealing Krall as a complex and dangerous adversary who has turned against the Federation.

    Where
    USS Enterprise
  9. Kirk Reclaims the Arbonath

    In a tense confrontation, Kirk manages to recover the Arbonath from Krall, exploiting the alien's vulnerability. Meanwhile, Scotty works tirelessly to regain control over the disabled Enterprise amidst escalating chaos.

    Where
    USS Enterprise
  10. Evacuation Commanded

    With critical systems failing and the ship under siege, Kirk must order an evacuation of the Enterprise as it plummets toward Altamid's surface. He entrusts the Arbonath to a crew member for safekeeping, illustrating the weight of leadership in crisis.

    Where
    Altamid
  11. Crew Captured by Krall

    On Altamid, Sulu and Uhura find themselves captured by Krall's forces, who utilize advanced Federation technology against them. Their efforts to send a distress signal are thwarted, leaving the crew in a dire situation.

    Where
    Altamid
  12. Kirk's Deceptive Allies

    Kirk sets out to rescue his captured crew, accompanied by Pavel Chekov and Kalara. However, he soon discovers that Kalara may not be what she seems, setting off a chain of events based on deception and mistrust.

  13. Searching for Survivors

    Spock and Dr. McCoy journey across Altamid, seeking to find the scattered crew members. Their exploration reveals cave inscriptions that connect to the Arbonath, hinting at the planet's deeper history and potential solutions to their plight.

    Where
    Altamid
  14. Formation of a New Plan

    The crew reunites and strategizes aboard the USS Franklin, now their key asset against Krall. They outline a daring plan to rescue their teammates and put an end to Krall's aggressive ambitions.

    Where
    USS Franklin
  15. Final Confrontation and Victory

    In a climactic battle, Kirk and his crew confront Krall and his bio-weapon. Utilizing teamwork and resourcefulness, they successfully evict Krall into space and restore order, solidifying their bonds as they prepare for the next chapter of their mission.

  16. A New Journey Begins

    As the crew celebrates Kirk's birthday, the construction of the new USS Enterprise-A is underway. This marks a new beginning for the crew as they look ahead to further adventures in their historic five-year mission.

Last updated: November 08, 2024 at 01:26

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Timeline questions answered

Star Trek Beyond Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Star Trek Beyond (2016): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Captain Kirk apply for a promotion to Vice Admiral?

Kirk had grown disillusioned with the endless five-year mission. After three years, he struggled to distinguish the passage of time and felt adrift, questioning what it meant to keep exploring endlessly. This contrasted with his original reason for joining Starfleet, which was on a dare, while his father fully believed in its ideals.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Kirk looking weary and reflecting on his father's beliefs about exploration.

  • captain kirk
  • promotion
  • vice admiral
  • starfleet
  • disillusionment
Q2

Who is Krall and what is his true identity?

Krall is revealed to be Captain Balthazar Edison, the former commander of the USS Franklin, a Starfleet vessel that crashed on Altamid centuries ago. Through unknown means, Edison was transformed into a powerful alien entity, and he came to hate the Federation, planning to destroy it using the bio-weapon.

  • krall
  • balthazar edison
  • uss franklin
  • villain
  • identity
Q3

What is the Arbonath and why does Krall want it?

The Arbonath is a component of a weapon. Kirk initially obtained it as a diplomatic gift for the Teenaxi, storing it in the ship's vault. Krall seeks it to activate his bio-weapon, which he plans to use to destroy Yorktown and the Federation.

  • arbonath
  • weapon
  • bio-weapon
  • altamid
Q4

Why did Kalara betray the Enterprise crew?

Kalara was working with Krall all along. She deliberately sent the fake distress call to lure the Enterprise into the nebula and onto Altamid, where Krall could ambush them and seize the Arbonath for his attack on the Federation.

Foreshadowing: Kalara's story about a scientific malfunction seems suspicious when she refuses to answer questions about her crew.

  • kalara
  • betrayal
  • deception
  • trap
Q5

How did the swarm ships defeat the USS Enterprise so easily?

The swarm ships used advanced technology that allowed them to breach the Enterprise's hull with ease. Their weaponry proved completely futile against the attackers, and the ship was quickly overwhelmed, forcing Kirk to order an evacuation as the saucer section crashed.

  • swarm ships
  • enterprise
  • destroyed
  • attack
  • altamid
Q6

Why does Spock receive devastating news about Ambassador Spock?

Spock learns that Ambassador Spock, his future self from an alternate timeline, has died. This news deeply affects Spock and contributes to his own decision to consider leaving Starfleet, as he reflects on his personal journey and mortality.

  • spock
  • ambassador spock
  • death
  • grief
  • future self
Q7

Why does Spock consider leaving Starfleet?

After receiving news of Ambassador Spock's death, Spock reflects on his own life and decides to leave Starfleet. The loss of his future self causes him to reconsider his path and what he wants from life.

  • spock
  • starfleet
  • leave
  • decision
  • ambassador
Q8

What is the connection between the cave inscriptions and the Arbonath?

Spock and McCoy discover cave inscriptions on Altamid that strongly resemble the Arbonath, suggesting the planet has a deeper historical connection to the weapon component. This discovery helps the crew understand more about Krall's origins and the ancient technology at stake.

  • cave
  • inscriptions
  • arbonath
  • altamid
  • ancient
Q9

Why does Krall want to destroy the Federation?

Krall (formerly Captain Edison) became bitter after his ship crashed on Altamid and he was left to die while the Federation moved on. He came to resent the Federation's philosophy of unity and diversity, believing it weakens by bringing different species together rather than allowing them to remain strong on their own.

  • krall
  • federation
  • hate
  • motivation
  • captain edison
Q10

Why does Kirk decide to remain as captain of the Enterprise?

After defeating Krall and saving Yorktown, Kirk chooses to stay at the helm of the Enterprise rather than accept the promotion to Vice Admiral. His experiences on Altamid helped him rediscover his purpose and passion for exploration, reaffirming why he joined Starfleet in the first place.

  • kirk
  • captain
  • enterprise
  • remain
  • promotion
Q11

How does Jaylah become a member of Starfleet Academy?

Jaylah, the scavenger who helped Kirk and his crew, earns her place in Starfleet Academy thanks to Kirk's endorsement. After fighting alongside the crew and proving her bravery and skills, Kirk sponsors her application.

  • jaylah
  • starfleet academy
  • kirk
  • endorse
  • member
Q12

What happens to the USS Enterprise after it is destroyed?

After the Enterprise is destroyed on Altamid, the crew celebrates Kirk's birthday while a new ship, the USS Enterprise-A, is constructed. The movie ends with the crew preparing to continue their five-year mission aboard this new vessel.

  • enterprise-a
  • new ship
  • construction
  • crew
  • mission

Movie threads

More Movies Like Star Trek Beyond, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Star Trek Beyond tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Crew Survival Adventures like Star Trek Beyond

A stranded team must rely on ingenuity and unity to survive a hostile alien world. Discover movies like Star Trek Beyond where a team must fight for survival against a hostile environment. If you enjoyed the crew's desperate struggle and ingenious solutions on an alien planet, you'll find similar stories of teamwork and resilience in these thrilling adventures.

  • desperate
  • adventurous
  • heroic
  • tense
  • hopeful
  • teamwork
  • Tone: hopeful, tense
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with a sudden, devastating event that strands the protagonists. The story then focuses on their adaptation to a hostile setting, the regrouping of scattered members, and the strategic use of limited resources to mount a counter-attack against a formidable enemy, all while strengthening their bonds.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a high-stakes survival premise, a fast pace driven by constant threats, and a hopeful tone centered on the power of teamwork and clever problem-solving. They deliver an intense but ultimately uplifting experience of overcoming disaster through unity.

Hopeful High-Octane Sci-Fi Movies like Star Trek Beyond

Fast-paced space adventures where action and optimism triumph over darkness. Explore similar hopeful and action-packed sci-fi movies like Star Trek Beyond. If you liked the fast-paced adventure, large-scale space battles, and the triumphant, happy ending, this collection of thrilling but optimistic science fiction stories is perfect for you.

  • action-packed
  • hopeful
  • adventurous
  • heroic
  • thrilling
  • tense
  • Tone: hopeful, adventurous
  • Pacing: fast-paced, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a clear, external threat that prompts a series of escalating action sequences and narrow escapes. The pacing is brisk, with little downtime, pushing the heroes from one challenge to the next. The emotional journey is straightforward, focusing on external conflict and collective triumph rather than heavy internal drama, culminating in a decisive and satisfying victory.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their unique blend of high-intensity action, fast pacing, and a consistently hopeful tone that avoids nihilism. They offer the excitement of a thriller with the heart of an adventure, providing an entertaining and reassuring experience where good ultimately wins.

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Every angle

Star Trek Beyond (2016) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Star Trek Beyond in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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