Complete List of All Star Trek Movies in Order

All Star Trek Movies in Order

This list presents every main Star Trek feature film, ordered by release date, from the original cast era to contemporary releases. It includes the primary series origin for each film and focuses on verified theatrical releases widely recognized as part of the core canon. For clarity, key box office and runtime data are summarized in the table below. Short animated releases, fan productions, and unofficial projects are not included.

Overview Table

Original Series Era (1979–1991)

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

Initially developed as a television series, this film launched the cinematic franchise with a slow, effects-focused narrative centered on a mysterious cloud entity. It establishes the refitted USS Enterprise and introduces key character dynamics that anchor the original cast. While divisive on release, it has aged into a curiosity of production design and ambition.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

Widely considered the best of the original films, it delivers a character-driven story about sacrifice and rivalry. The narrative stakes are heightened by the death of a prominent character, and its influence persists in later storytelling. This entry balances action, ethics, and emotional weight more than most contemporaries.

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)

Continuing from Khan, this film focuses on legacy, loss, and rebirth. It concludes the story arc of Genesis and delivers darker themes, including the destruction of the Enterprise. The plot leans on nostalgia for the original crew while setting up the next chapter of the franchise.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)

Marking a tonal shift, this installment blends science fiction with comedy and environmental commentary. It is notable for its Earth-based setting and time-travel premise involving whales. The film is often cited as the most accessible and lighthearted of the original series batch.

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)

Centered on a search for a divine presence at the center of the galaxy, this film explores themes of faith and legacy. Production challenges and mixed reviews shaped its reception, yet it remains a chapter that directly tests the limits of belief within the mythos.

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)

This film frames the transition from the Cold War allegory of the original series to a new era of storytelling. Diplomacy, betrayal, and thawing interstellar tensions drive a narrative that mirrors real-world shifts. It closes the original continuity with a focus on legacy and change.

The Next Generation Era (1994–2002)

Star Trek: Generations (1994)

Connecting the original cast with the Next Generation crew, this film addresses legacy and continuity across decades of storytelling. It introduces a cross-era team-up while laying groundwork for the more serialized tone of later entries.

Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

A tightly plotted time-travel story that pits the Enterprise-E against the Borg near Earth. It prioritizes tension and worldbuilding over spectacle, and is frequently referenced as a high point of TNG-era cinema.

Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)

Focused on ethical dilemmas and the politics of intervention, this entry explores the Prime Directive in practice. Its slower pace and philosophical core distinguish it within the franchise, though it divides viewers on narrative urgency.

Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)

Centered on a doppelgänger of Captain Picard and the fall of Romulus, this film leans into darker character drama. Mixed reviews followed its ambitious storytelling choices, yet it represents the concluding chapter of the TNG cinematic run.

The Kelvin Timeline (2009–2016)

Rebooting the franchise with a divergent timeline, this series revisits the origins of familiar characters. These films emphasize kinetic action, ensemble chemistry, and bold reimaginings while respecting the spirit of prior canon.

Star Trek (2009)

By recasting the classic crew and revisiting key origin moments, this film refreshes the mythos for a new audience. Strong audience reception and mid-six-figure box office returns underscored the viability of modernized sci-fi adventure.

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

Expanding the stakes of the reboot with a globe-spanning threat, this sequel balances spectacle and moral ambiguity. Its tonal shifts and reinterpretation of iconic characters sparked discussion but maintained mainstream momentum.

Star Trek Beyond (2016)

Serving as a capstone to the Kelvin era, this film revisits themes of legacy and found family. It places character resolution at the forefront while delivering set-piece driven storytelling familiar to longtime fans.

Why Order Matters

Release order reflects both technological progress and narrative evolution within the franchise. Early entries carry the constraints and ambitions of their time, while later films benefit from refined visuals and serialized storytelling. Understanding this sequence clarifies recurring themes, character arcs, and the broader continuity of Star Trek cinema.

Defining Characteristics and Legacy

Across all films, Star Trek cinema balances optimistic futurism with ethical inquiry. From starship design to franchise-spanning arcs, each entry contributes to an evolving tapestry of exploration and diplomacy. The enduring popularity of these films rests on consistent character foundations, speculative stakes, and reflection on societal challenges. This list captures the foundational works that define the cinematic branch of the franchise.