How to Watch Star Trek Movies in Order
Star Trek first hit the airwaves in 1966 with the television series known as Star Trek: The Original Series. The series initially followed the adventures of Captain James T. Kirk, Commander Spock, Doctor Leonard McCoy, and other crew members as they explored the universe aboard the spaceship USS Enterprise.
The show ran for three years, producing a total of 79 episodes. After this initial run, the series went on a hiatus and was revived in 1978.
However, the success of Star Wars IV: A New Hope at that time prompted the studio to shift from creating a new TV series to making a feature film instead. This led to the creation of Star Trek I: The Motion Picture.
Today, Star Trek has evolved into a science fiction film franchise with 13 feature films. If you're interested in the space adventures of Captain James T. Kirk and his crew, here's a summary of the films for you. Let's take a look the list:
1. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
The Motion Picture marks the beginning of the Star Trek film series. Released in 1979, this film featured futuristic technologies like communication devices, electronic doors, and modern computers.
The studio collaborated with NASA to achieve realistic visuals of highly advanced spaceships. The film was well-received and earned Oscar nominations for Best Art Director, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Score.
The story starts when a Starfleet monitoring station detects an alien entity heading towards Earth. Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise are dispatched to investigate the alien concealed within the clouds.
2. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
This film picks up from the "Space Seed" episode of the original TV series, where Captain Kirk overcame a group of criminals led by Khan Noonie Singh and exiled them to Planet Ceti Alpha V. In "The Wrath of Khan," Khan and his followers escape and enact a vengeful plot.
Upon its release, the film broke box office records, earning $97 million on its opening day. Ricardo Montalban, who portrayed Khan, was highly praised for his performance.
Although the visual effects received some criticism for being subpar, this sequel is still regarded as one of the best in the Star Trek film series.
3. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
At the conclusion of the second Star Trek film, we knew about Commander Spock’s death. In the sequel, his remains are transported to an experimental planet named Genesis. Meanwhile, the crew members of the USS Enterprise have been temporarily dismissed from their duties.
On the other side, Captain Kirk's son, David Markus, is conducting research on Planet Genesis and stumbles upon a young Spock, miraculously revived.
The release of "The Search for Spock" was a significant event, with the film showing in 1,996 theaters across North America, surpassing the reach of major 1984 hits like "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" and "Ghostbusters." Critics lauded the performances of the cast but received mixed reviews on the film's plot.
4. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Following the success of the previous installment, Leonard Nimoy returned to direct "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home." This film made history as the first Star Trek installment to be shown in the Soviet Union, aligning with the World Wildlife Fund’s celebration of the whaling ban in Moscow on June 26, 1987.
The plot takes Captain James T. Kirk and his crew on a time-traveling mission to save Earth from a catastrophic event triggered by a mysterious satellite. The movie received Oscar nominations for Best Cinematography, Sound Effects Editing, and Original Score at the 59th Academy Awards.
5. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Captain Kirk, Spock, and Dr. Leonard McCoy are enjoying a vacation when Starfleet calls them into action. They are tasked with rescuing diplomats from the human, Klingon, and Romulan nations on Planet Nimbus III. Their mission becomes more challenging due to the disruptive actions of Klingon Captain Klaa.
Released in 1989, "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" aimed to be a major blockbuster, competing against popular films like "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," "Ghostbusters II," and "Batman." Ultimately, the movie earned $52 million in the United States and grossed $70 million worldwide.
6. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
In "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," the USS Excelsior suffers a catastrophic explosion near a satellite on Planet Kronos, leading to a major energy crisis for the Klingons living there.
Following this, the USS Enterprise has to escort the Klingon chancellor Gorkon to Earth for peace talks. However, Captain Kirk is initially reluctant because the Klingons were responsible for his son’s death.
Originally intended as a prequel to the iconic 1966 series, the film's concept was reimagined due to fan backlash. This installment stands out as the only film in the Star Trek series to receive the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film.
7. Star Trek: Generations (1994)
"Star Trek: Generations" introduces new characters alongside familiar faces, featuring Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise-D.
In the film, Captain Picard teams up with the legendary Captain James T. Kirk to thwart a villain bent on destroying the solar system. The film received mixed reviews, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 47% based on 53 critic ratings.
Despite the critical reception, it was the highest-grossing film in US theaters during its opening week that ultimately earned around $118 million globally.
8. Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
"Star Trek: First Contact" revolves around the Borg species, who travel back in time to prevent the establishment of the United Federation of Planets, aiming to dominate human civilization on Earth.
In response, Captain Jean Picard and the crew of the USS Enterprise-E pursue the Borg to the past to protect humanity’s future. Esteemed film critic Roger Ebert lauded it as one of the best Star Trek films.
The movie won three Saturn Awards and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Makeup. Additionally, it set a box office record by earning approximately $30 million in its first week of release.
9. Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
"Star Trek: Insurrection" was released on December 22, 1998, and received mixed reviews. Metacritic gave it a score of 64 out of 100 based on 19 critics, while Rotten Tomatoes rated it at 55% from 67 reviews.
CinemaScore awarded the film a B grade. In this installment, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the USS Enterprise-E find themselves rebelling against the Starfleet because of a conspiracy with the Son'a to exploit Planet Ba'ku. The film earned a worldwide net income of approximately 117 million dollars.
10. Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
Star Trek: Nemesis was released on December 13, 2002, and faced stiff competition from other big movies released around the same time. It contended with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and James Bond: Die Another Day.
The film is set in the 24th century and revolves around a critical threat faced by the crew of the USS Enterprise-E and the United Federation of Planets.
The danger comes from a human clone named Shinzon, who looks just like Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Shinzon has overthrown the government and taken control of the Romulan Star Empire.
11. Star Trek (2009)
Seven years after "Nemesis," the Star Trek franchise returned with a new and engaging story. Released in 2009 and directed by J.J. Abrams, this reboot introduces the main characters from the original Star Trek series, now portrayed by a new cast including Chris Pine as Captain James T. Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Commander Spock.
This film brings a fresh take on the series, where Captain Kirk and Commander Spock travel back in time to confront Nero, a Romulan threatening the United Federation of Planets. The new actors breathe life into these familiar roles, taking on a bold mission that challenges them to save their future by altering the past.
12. Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
In Star Trek Into Darkness, the adventures of Captain James T. Kirk and his crew continue. This time, they encounter a complex challenge. The USS Enterprise is dispatched to the territory of the Klingons.
Captain Kirk and his team are tasked with locating a former Starfleet officer who has turned into a dangerous terrorist. The film achieved great financial success, earning approximately 467 million dollars globally, making it the highest-grossing film in the Star Trek series. In the United States, it led the box office, surpassing The Great Gatsby and Iron Man 3.
13. Star Trek Beyond (2016)
Star Trek Beyond begins with the USS Enterprise falling into an ambush by Krall and his forces. During this attack, crew members Hikaru Sulu and Nyota Uhura are kidnapped and stranded on Planet Altamid.
Captain Kirk, Commander Spock, and the rest of the crew must act quickly to escape Planet Altamid and thwart Krall's malevolent plans.
The film features Indonesian actor Joe Taslim, who portrays Manas, a powerful soldier serving under the antagonist Krall. In December 2019, Star Trek Beyond received a positive reception, with a score of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes based on reviews from 300 critics.
While the Star Wars films focus on fantasy-themed space warfare, Star Trek offers a science fiction approach centered on intergalactic exploration.
Despite this difference, Star Trek remains engaging with its compelling conflicts and intricate plotlines. If you enjoy the Star Trek series, make sure to watch these films for an exciting viewing experience. Happy watching!