Best Star Trek Movies (Updated: August 2025)

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Best Star Trek movies as of 2025

The following is a compilation of what are currently considered the top Star Trek films. However, it remains unclear if we’ll have more options in the future. In contrast to the 1980s and 90s when a new Star Trek movie was released approximately every two to three years, today we find ourselves with fewer releases. The TNG series ended somewhat weakly in 2002 with Star Trek: Nemesis, and the films produced by J.J. Abrams haven’t quite been able to attract a large enough audience to ensure significant profits.

Although the release date for the next Star Trek movie remains unknown due to ongoing project delays and cancellations, fans can still take comfort in revisiting these cherished films from the series.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I must confess that among all Star Trek films, The Wrath of Khan stands out as an undisputed masterpiece. Writing its script initially presented some challenges, as the franchise was under immense pressure to avoid another misstep following the release of the first Star Trek movie. But fear not, we’ve ensured it remains on this list for your enjoyment; just stay tuned for more insights!

The story of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan begins with Admiral James T. Kirk (played by William Shatner) and his crew, primarily trainees, on a training voyage aboard the USS Enterprise. Kirk himself is grappling with issues related to aging and a feeling of being adrift in life’s purpose. However, a far greater challenge arises when Khan Noonien Singh, a genetically enhanced despot whom Kirk had banished years ago in the Star Trek episode “Space Seed,” manages to break free from exile. Khan then captures control of the starship Reliant. This sets off a tense and dangerous game of cat and mouse between Khan and Kirk throughout the rest of the movie.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I was initially worried when I heard about the bumpy road leading up to “The Wrath of Khan.” But fate intervened, and director extraordinaire Nicholas Meyer stepped onto the scene, brilliantly weaving together elements from various drafts in just 12 whirlwind days. His creative vision propelled the film into a thrilling action-adventure realm, merging aspects of Indiana Jones and Star Wars, with perhaps a dash of The Goonies for good measure. Despite the usual critical assessments of Star Trek films, “The Wrath of Khan” easily transcends the franchise to be regarded as an exceptional standalone movie.

Star Trek: IV: The Voyage Home

The Voyage Home,” directed by Leonard Nimoy, concludes the narrative that started with “The Wrath of Khan” and continued in “Star Trek III.” Although “Wrath of Khan” is often considered the best Star Trek movie, “The Voyage Home” is arguably the most enjoyable. Unlike the intense, revenge-focused tone of “Wrath of Khan” or the thought-provoking space mysticism of the original Star Trek film, “The Voyage Home” features humorous dialogue and time-travel shenanigans. Notably, this movie centers around saving whales.

The narrative continues post-Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Captain Kirk and his team find themselves on a journey back to Earth, facing repercussions for their actions involving the theft and destruction of the Enterprise, as well as breaking Starfleet rules. However, before they reach Earth, an enigmatic extraterrestrial signal starts emanating, causing power outages and gradually vaporizing Earth’s oceans. As events unfold, it becomes clear that this probe is attempting to communicate with humpback whales, a species believed to have been extinct for hundreds of years.

In order to respond to the signal and protect Earth, it’s essential that we retrieve the whalesong. However, this can only be accomplished if we manage to obtain some whales. With time travel on our side, the team journeys back to 1986 San Francisco where they are tasked with locating two humpback whales and transporting them to the future. Although it seems absurd, the scenario unfolds comically, with the actors who have grown accustomed to their roles fully embracing the humor by this point.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture

To put it simply, this particular movie in the Star Trek series is often criticized by fans and reviewers alike. However, it isn’t considered the absolute worst – that title goes to The Final Frontier. Despite its less-than-favorable reviews, it is still recommended that you watch it for your own understanding. This film played a significant role in establishing the Star Trek movie franchise, even if some viewers find it overly intellectual and slow.

The 1979 film focuses on a terrifying extraterrestrial fog approaching Earth, causing widespread destruction in its wake. Once again at the helm of the USS Enterprise is Admiral James T. Kirk. Working alongside his team consisting of Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Scotty (James Doohan), and McCoy (DeForest Kelley), Kirk embarks on a mission to intercept this catastrophic force before it reaches our planet.

Noteworthy to add: This film was initially conceived as a trial run for a fresh Star Trek television series. This might be the reason behind its leisurely tempo and the sense that it’s gradually moving forward without much haste. It wasn’t designed to be an action-packed blockbuster; instead, it aimed to reacquaint us with the universe of Star Trek. Some viewers even liken it to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey – a significant comparison, indeed. However, let’s not dismiss this movie solely because it moves slowly. If you find yourself doing so…maybe take a break. This movie isn’t about space action; it’s about space fiction. Whether you adore it or doze off during it, it remains crucial, and that’s why it’s included on this list.

Star Trek: VI: The Undiscovered Country

In a different phraseology, I’d say: Among Star Trek films, “The Undiscovered Country” (1991), which isn’t as tied to an ongoing storyline like “Wrath of Khan,” can be enjoyed independently. The film follows Captain Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise, who are tasked with escorting Klingon Chancellor Gorkon to Earth for peace talks. However, achieving harmony proves challenging. Suspicions arise when the Enterprise seems to attack a Klingon vessel. Gorkon meets an untimely end, leading to Kirk and Dr. McCoy’s arrest. Spock takes on the responsibility of unraveling the mystery and preserving the precarious peace.

Without needing prior knowledge of the Star Trek series, its movies, or characters, this standalone story is ready for immediate enjoyment. It offers elements of a murder mystery, political intrigue, science fiction exploration, and Cold War metaphor, making it an engaging and satisfying viewing experience overall.

Star Trek: First Contact

Embracing my inner fan here, I must express my enthusiasm for the return of Sir Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in First Contact – a film that follows his initial Star Trek: Generations appearance in 1994. It’s hard to imagine any list without such an iconic figure. And while Sir Patrick Stewart’s brilliance is undeniable, even without him, this TNG movie remains the pinnacle of the franchise films for me.

First Contact not only showcases Picard’s finest performance but also infused a thrilling blend of action and horror into the entire Star Trek cinematic universe like never before. The only potential criticism lies in the occasional abrupt transitions between the A and B plots, which can momentarily disrupt the seamless flow of the narrative.

Overall, First Contact remains a remarkable addition to the Star Trek saga that I hold dear.

In First Contact, the crew of the USS Enterprise-E pursues a Borg spaceship through a time warp to prevent the Borg from overpowering Earth in its past. Unfortunately, they become stranded in the 21st century. Here, Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) joins forces with Zefram Cochrane (James Cromwell), an initially unwilling inventor of faster-than-light travel, to ensure that humanity’s initial encounter with extraterrestrials takes place as planned. Simultaneously, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Commander Data (Brent Spiner) confront the Borg Queen (Alice Krige), who aims to commandeer the Enterprise from within. The film offers a mix of thrilling action sequences, tension-filled moments, memorable dialogue, outstanding performances, and Alfre Woodard’s presence as well.

How we chose the best Star Trek movies

When selecting from thirteen Star Trek films, we opted for a blend – sticking primarily with the original series while incorporating one film from The Next Generation due to its high quality. It’s important to note that we hold no disdain for the Kelvin timeline; however, these films seem particularly vital for newcomers to Star Trek. Our choices were informed by a combination of critical and fan reviews, memorable performances, and each film’s ability to remain engaging today. We also considered rewatchability as a key factor in our decision-making process.

You can stream the Star Trek movies on Paramount+.

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2025-08-22 04:59