Best Star Trek Movies

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Among the numerous Star Trek films available and more in the pipeline, such as Star Trek 4, slated (hopefully) for a 2026 premiere, deciding which ones to watch can be quite challenging, whether you’re new to the series or planning a rewatch. Here are some must-see Star Trek movies that shouldn’t be missed.

Best Star Trek movies as of 2025

To begin with, I should clarify that this list has a certain bias, as it does not include any of the more recent reboot movies and only one film from The Next Generation era. However, these films are considered by many to be the cream of the crop, or at least the most significant ones. So let’s dive in.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Among the thirteen Star Trek films, The Wrath of Khan is widely regarded as the top-notch. Its development, however, began with some trouble regarding the script due to the pressure of not repeating past mistakes following the first Star Trek film. (We’ve included it on this list, but we’ll discuss that later.)

In a training exercise aboard the USS Enterprise, Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his mostly cadet crew find themselves facing a real threat: Khan Noonien Singh, a genetically enhanced despot whom Kirk once exiled. Having regained freedom from exile, Khan now commands the starship Reliant. The story unfolds as Kirk and Khan engage in a dangerous game of chase, with both seeking advantage over each other. This is the beginning of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Originally, the production of this film had a rough beginning and there was a risk it would turn out poorly. However, luckily for us, director extraordinaire Nicholas Meyer joined the team. He skillfully combined the strongest elements from various drafts into a cohesive script in just 12 days. His creative vision steered the movie towards an action-adventure genre, blending elements reminiscent of Indiana Jones and Star Wars. One might also detect a touch of The Goonies in it. Unlike other Star Trek films that are often evaluated based on their standing within the franchise, The Wrath of Khan can be appreciated as a superb film in its own right.

Star Trek: IV: The Voyage Home

1986’s film “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home,” directed by Leonard Nimoy, serves as a conclusion to the plotline initiated in “The Wrath of Khan” and furthered in “Star Trek III.” Although “Wrath of Khan” remains the superior Star Trek movie for many, “The Voyage Home” offers an enjoyable experience. In contrast to the dark, revenge-themed tone of “Wrath of Khan,” or the philosophical space themes in the original Star Trek film, “The Voyage Home” emphasizes humorous dialogue and time-travel shenanigans. Additionally, this film centers around the rescue of whales.

The narrative continues post-Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Admiral Kirk and his team are on their way back to Earth, preparing to deal with the fallout from their actions involving the theft and destruction of the Enterprise, as well as disregarding Starfleet rules. However, before they can reach home, an enigmatic alien transmission starts causing power failures and initiating the evaporation of Earth’s oceans. The crew eventually understands that this probe is trying to communicate with humpback whales, a species believed to have been extinct for many centuries.

To solve the predicament and protect Earth, it’s essential we retrieve the whalesong. However, for that, they require actual whales. Enter the concept of time travel: the team journeys back to 1986 San Francisco, where their mission is to locate two humpback whales and transport them forward in time. This plot twist is rather absurd, yet the actors, who by now have developed these characters over time, fully embrace the comedy.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture

To put it simply, this particular movie in the Star Trek series isn’t highly appreciated by many. It’s not the poorest of them all, but I must admit that The Final Frontier has a stronger claim to that title. Despite receiving negative reviews from both fans and critics, it’s worth giving it a try. Its significance lies in the fact that it played a crucial role in establishing the Star Trek film franchise, despite being somewhat intellectual and slower than some might prefer.

The 1979 film revolves around an enigmatic alien fog making its way towards Earth, leaving devastation in its wake. With the mission to avert this disaster, Admiral James T. Kirk resumes command of the USS Enterprise. Joining forces with his crew members such as Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Scotty (James Doohan), and McCoy (DeForest Kelley), Kirk embarks on a journey to intercept this destructive force before it reaches our planet.

Additionally noteworthy: This was initially conceived as a prelude for the revival of a TV series. The slow-paced narrative and leisurely progression might be due to this reason. It wasn’t designed to be a high-speed, action-packed blockbuster. Instead, its purpose was to reacquaint us with the universe of Star Trek. In fact, some viewers liken it to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. We understand that comparison might seem grandiose, but is it fair to label a film slow and therefore bad? Absolutely not. If you feel this way about The Motion Picture, we suggest taking a moment to reconsider. The Motion Picture isn’t about space battles; it’s about space fiction. Whether you find it captivating or struggle to stay awake during it, it remains significant, and that’s why it’s included in this list.

Star Trek: VI: The Undiscovered Country

As a devoted Star Trek enthusiast, I’d argue that The Undiscovered Country stands tall among its cinematic peers, making it an excellent choice even for those who haven’t delved deep into the Star Trek universe. Unlike the iconic Wrath of Khan, which is more of an integral piece in a broader episodic tapestry, this 1991 masterpiece offers a compelling and self-contained storyline.

The movie follows Captain Kirk and his crew on board the USS Enterprise as they escort Klingon Chancellor Gorkon to Earth for peace talks. However, achieving harmony proves elusive, especially when it seems that the Enterprise has fired upon a Klingon vessel. The tragic death of Chancellor Gorkon in the ensuing chaos results in Kirk and Dr. McCoy’s arrest, leaving Spock to untangle the web of deceit and preserve the delicate peace accord.

Without needing much prior knowledge of the Star Trek series, its past films, or characters, you can dive straight in for an enjoyable experience. This standalone story offers elements of a murder mystery, political thriller, sci-fi adventure, and Cold War allegory, making it a compelling and solid watch.

Star Trek: First Contact

In the film “First Contact,” Sir Patrick Stewart reprises his role as Picard following his debut in the 1994 Star Trek: Generations film, which often receives criticism. However, there’s nothing to dislike about Sir Patrick Stewart, and he is indispensable. Notably, “First Contact” stands out as the best film from The Next Generation series and represents Sir Patrick Stewart’s finest performance in these movies. Beyond that, “First Contact” introduced an action-horror dynamic to the entire Star Trek movie series that hadn’t been present before. The main drawback is that transitions between the A and B plots can feel somewhat abrupt.

In First Contact, the crew from the USS Enterprise-E pursue a Borg vessel through a time distortion to prevent the Borg from dominating Earth in the past. Stranded in the present day, Geordi La Forge (played by LeVar Burton) joins forces with Zefram Cochrane (James Cromwell), an initially unwilling inventor of warp drive, to ensure that humanity’s initial encounter with extraterrestrial life still occurs. As Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Commander Data (Brent Spiner) battle the Borg Queen (Alice Krige), who aims to take over the Enterprise, events unfold with excitement, tension, witty exchanges, excellent performances, and the presence of Alfre Woodard.

How we chose the best Star Trek movies

When selecting from thirteen available films, we opted for sticking with the initial film series and incorporating one film from The Next Generation due to its high quality. While we don’t dislike the Kelvin timeline, for newcomers to Star Trek, these seem like the most significant movies to view first. Our choices were guided by a combination of critical acclaim, strong performances, enduring quality, and rewatchability factors.

You can stream the Star Trek movies on Paramount+.

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2025-07-15 03:38