Every Star Trek Movie, Ranked by Rewatchability

Fans enjoy Star Trek in different ways. Some like to watch every movie in order, while others prefer to rewatch their favorites. Many have a small group of films they especially love and can watch repeatedly, even as background entertainment. Beyond television, Star Trek fans have consistently returned to experience the adventures of the Enterprise on the big screen throughout the years.

Both the original Star Trek series and The Next Generation had movies made about them, and J.J. Abrams’ films brought the classic characters to a new audience. More recently, the newer Star Trek shows have also had a movie released, though it hasn’t become as popular just yet. Generally, the most enjoyable Star Trek films are also those people watch again and again. However, a film’s rewatchability doesn’t always mean it’s one of the best – sometimes it’s simply due to fond memories or continued relevance.

Star Trek: Section 31 Might Develop Rewatch Potential

As a huge Star Trek fan, I was really excited for Star Trek: Section 31 when it finally landed on Paramount+. It had a pretty tough journey getting made, actually – it started as a potential spin-off show before they decided to turn it into a movie. But it was great to see Michelle Yeoh leading the cast!

Michelle Yeoh returned as her popular character, Terran Empress Philippa Georgiou, from Star Trek: Discovery, and that was a highlight of the movie. However, changes made during production negatively impacted the story. While it’s still soon after the 2024 release, the film doesn’t seem very rewatchable at the moment.

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier Is the Most Skippable

As a lifelong Trek fan, it’s tough to talk about Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. When William Shatner directed it in 1989, a lot of us were excited, but honestly, it just didn’t quite work. It’s often seen as one of the less successful movies, and while I don’t blame Shatner entirely, the storyline about searching for God just didn’t really capture our imaginations like other Trek adventures.

Honestly, the special effects are the only memorable part of what is otherwise a disappointing fifth film in The Original Series. It’s not even enjoyably bad, and revisiting scenes like the jetboot climbing sequence or the campfire song feels like a chore, even for dedicated fans.

Star Trek: Nemesis Has Been Received Better With Age

Star Trek: Generations, the tenth Star Trek film, didn’t quite recapture the magic of previous installments. It felt different from the usual Star Trek: The Next Generation vibe, and it concentrated heavily on the characters of Picard and Data, which meant other beloved crew members didn’t get as much screen time.

While the film provided a conclusion to The Next Generation, it wasn’t as satisfying as the show’s well-regarded series finale. However, it’s more enjoyable to rewatch, largely due to nostalgia. The idea of Tom Hardy playing a younger, cloned Picard is a bit of a mixed bag, but it’s still a curious element of the movie.

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Still Feels Forced

While Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) isn’t a poorly made film, it doesn’t hold up to repeat viewings particularly well. It’s a solid sequel that successfully paves the way for future installments in the series.

While Star Trek III: The Search for Spock has some excellent moments, it’s generally a bit of a slow movie. The plot feels strained and unnecessary, especially considering the developments in the previous film. Because the movie ultimately resets everything to how it was before, it doesn’t offer much reason to revisit it after the first viewing.

Star Trek Beyond is a Bit of a Forgettable Finale

After finding success launching the series, J.J. Abrams moved on to direct Star Wars after the second movie in the reboot. Justin Lin, known for action films, then finished the trilogy, but the ending didn’t feel very conclusive.

While 2016’s Star Trek Beyond captured the spirit of the original series with a fresh update, the movie itself didn’t fully live up to its potential. The villain’s reveal felt unoriginal, and the storylines introduced in the rebooted universe were starting to feel repetitive. However, the film remains special for many fans as it features Anton Yelchin’s last performance as Chekov, following his untimely passing.

Star Trek: Insurrection Feels Like a Long TNG Episode

1998’s Star Trek: Insurrection was the third Star Trek: The Next Generation film, but it’s largely been forgotten over time. Though not a terrible movie, Insurrection didn’t have a lasting impact on the series. The story begins when Data experiences a malfunction during a simple mission, leading the Enterprise crew to uncover a secret and questionable Starfleet operation involving a conflict over a planet with life-extending properties.

The movie felt more like an extended TV episode, which isn’t inherently a problem. It did add an enjoyable romantic subplot for Captain Picard, giving Patrick Stewart more to do. However, following up on the franchise’s strongest films was a tough task, and the film’s cautious approach has caused it to fall lower in rankings over time.

Star Trek Into Darkness Doesn’t Always Feel Necessary

The 2009 Star Trek film attempted to refresh the classic Original Series with a new take on the Enterprise, but 2013’s Star Trek Into Darkness relied too heavily on the past, essentially retelling the story of Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan. The reveal of Benedict Cumberbatch’s character as Khan – which wasn’t much of a surprise – didn’t land well, and the film’s many references to the original series felt forced.

The movie started strong, but quickly became confusing as characters made illogical choices. Although it’s part of a limited trilogy and worth revisiting for that reason, Star Trek Into Darkness‘s problems become more noticeable each time you watch it.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture is Definitely a Spectacle

As a huge Star Trek fan, I remember being so excited when the first movie, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, finally came out in 1979 – it had been a decade since the original series! What always struck me about it, though, was how it visually updated the crew. It definitely felt different from the TV show, and even set a new tone for the films that followed.

The film’s villain, V’ger, was made compelling by drawing inspiration from real-world concepts. While The Motion Picture boasts impressive special effects for its time, it suffers from slow pacing and reuses plot points from a previous episode of The Original Series, making it less enjoyable to revisit. Despite these flaws, it’s the first Star Trek movie, which means it still gets watched more often than the others simply by virtue of being the beginning of the film series.

Star Trek: Generations Bridges The Gap Between Eras

After Star Trek: The Next Generation ended, the cast came together for their first movie. Star Trek: Generations, released in 1994, also included characters from The Original Series to connect the two eras of Star Trek.

When a scientist creates terrible disasters trying to control a powerful cosmic energy stream, the crew of the Enterprise-D finds themselves in a conflict that spans generations. The story features both William Shatner’s Captain Kirk and Patrick Stewart’s memorable Picard, and doesn’t leave out the rest of the Next Generation crew, making it a great watch for fans of both Star Trek series.

Star Trek is a Creative Reboot that Embraces the Original

J.J. Abrams launched his successful run with science fiction in 2009 by reinventing Star Trek. His film updated the classic story of the Enterprise and its crew, but it wasn’t a simple restart of the franchise.

This reboot cleverly built upon the events of the Original Series without erasing any established history, creating a new path for the story. The actors had fantastic chemistry, and the appearance of Leonard Nimoy as Spock felt like a wonderful continuation of the original films, rather than a complete overhaul. It’s a movie I often revisit, even though the sequels haven’t been quite as strong.

2026-01-20 04:13