How to watch the Star Trek movies in order

What’s the best order to watch all Star Trek movies?

Star Trek: The Motion Picture poster

The Star Trek franchise has been around for more than five decades and even though the sci-fi IP has recently been focusing on expanding its universe through different television series, the beloved property created by Gene Roddenberry has actually released a number of feature films in the past. If you haven’t seen any of those yet and are planning to binge-watch all of them, continue reading this article to learn more about the different Star Trek movies, including the best order to watch them.

How many Star Trek movies are there?

As of June 2023, there are a total of thirteen films in the Star Trek franchise. These films are categorized into two: the Prime Timeline Star Trek movies and the Kelvin Timeline Star Trek movies.

The Prime Timeline Star Trek movies are films that are set in the same universe as the original Star Trek television series. This category includes both The Original Series (TOS) movies and The Next Generation (TNG) moviesThe former are movies starring the principal cast of Star Trek: The Original Series, while the latter are films starring the cast of the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The Kelvin Timeline Star Trek movies, on the other hand, are a series of J.J. Abrams-produced films that rebooted the franchise for the big screen.

What is the recommended order to watch the Star Trek movies?

While there are different ways to watch Star Trek movies, the recommended order to watch the films is in chronological order, which is the order in which the events of the movies take place. Here’s how to watch the Star Trek movies in chronological order:

1. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Timeline: Prime

Cast: Star Trek: The Original Series

Where to watch: HBO Max

Directed by Robert Wise, this is the first installment in the Star Trek film series and stars the cast of the original television series. Set in the 2270s, the movie opens with V’Ger (Persis Khambatta), a mysterious and immensely powerful alien cloud that is approaching Earth and destroying everything in its path. Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) assumes command of the recently refitted Starship USS Enterprise, to lead it on a mission to save the planet and determine V’Ger’s origins. Also starring in the movie are Leonard Nimoy as Spock, DeForest Kelley as Leonard McCoy, and James Doohan as Montgomery  “Scotty” Scott, among many others.

The film received mixed reviews, many of which faulted it for a lack of action scenes and over-reliance on special effects. Its final production cost ballooned to approximately $44 million, and it earned $139 million worldwide, short of studio expectations but enough for Paramount to propose a less expensive sequel. 

Despite its mixed reception, Star Trek: The Motion Picture is considered a cult classic by many fans of the franchise. The film’s special effects were groundbreaking for their time, and the film’s score by Jerry Goldsmith is considered one of the best in the Star Trek series. The film’s flaws may have overshadowed its strengths at the time of its release, but it has since been re-evaluated by many fans and critics, and it is now considered to be an important part of the Star Trek legacy.

2. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Timeline: Prime

Cast: Star Trek: The Original Series

Where to watch: HBO Max

Directed by Nicholas Meyer, this movie is a sequel to the original series episode Space Seed (1967). The plot features Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the original crew of the starship USS Enterprise facing off against the genetically engineered tyrant Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalbán).

The film opens with the Enterprise on a training mission with Starfleet Academy cadets. Khan, who was exiled to the planet Ceti Alpha V in the original series episode, has escaped and is now seeking revenge on Kirk. He has stolen the Genesis Device, a powerful weapon developed by the United Federation of Planets that can create a new planet in a matter of hours. The Genesis planet featured in the movie was the first planet created by the device. Kirk and crew must race against time to stop Khan and save the galaxy.

The movie was praised for its action, suspense, and character development.

3. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Timeline: Prime

Cast: Star Trek: The Original Series

Where to watch: HBO Max

Directed by Leonard Nimoy, this is the second part of a three-film story arc that begins with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) and concludes with Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986). The film follows the crew of the USS Enterprise as they try to accomplish the prime directive of recovering the body of Spock (Nimoy), who was killed in the previous film. The Klingons, led by General Chang (Christopher Plummer), are also searching for Spock’s body, and the two sides clash in a battle that threatens to destroy the Enterprise.

4. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Timeline: Prime

Cast: Star Trek: The Original Series

Where to watch: HBO Max

This movie completes the story arc that began in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) and continued in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984). Intent on returning home to Earth to face trial for their actions in the previous film, the former crew of the USS Enterprise finds the planet in grave danger from an alien probe attempting to contact now-extinct humpback whales.

The film follows Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley), and the rest of the Enterprise crew as they travel back in time to 1986 San Francisco to rescue two humpback whales, which they believe are the only beings who can communicate with the probe and send it away from Earth. Along the way, they must contend with the challenges of living in a world that is vastly different from their own, and they must also learn to work together as a team once again.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its humor, its heartwarming story, and its positive message about the importance of protecting the environment.

5. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Timeline: Prime

Cast: Star Trek: The Original Series

Where to watch: HBO Max

The film begins with the Enterprise on a mission to rescue a group of scientists who have been stranded on a planetoid. However, the Enterprise is attacked by a mysterious ship, and the crew is forced to abandon the ship. They are rescued by Sybok (Laurence Luckinbill), a Vulcan and Spock’s half-brother who is searching for God at the center of the galaxy.

Claiming to be a powerful being who can lead them to God, Sybok takes the crew to the planet Sha Ka Ree. On Sha Ka Ree, the crew encounters a powerful energy barrier that prevents them from entering. Sybok believes that he can use his powers to break through the barrier, but he is unsuccessful. The crew is then forced to confront Sybok and his followers, who are determined to find God at any cost.

The movie was criticized for its weak plot, its poor special effects, and its lack of focus on its original release. However, the film has since gained a cult following, and it is now considered to be one of the more enjoyable films in the Star Trek franchise, thanks to its themes about faith and the search for meaning in life.

6. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Timeline: Prime

Cast: Star Trek: The Original Series

Where to watch: HBO Max

The movie follows Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley), and the rest of the Enterprise crew as they race against unseen conspirators with a militaristic agenda. It opens with the destruction of the Klingon moon Praxis, which has caused widespread environmental damage to the Klingon Empire. The Klingons, led by Chancellor Gorkon (David Warner), are forced to sue for peace with the United Federation of Planets. Kirk and the Enterprise are tasked with transporting Gorkon to Earth for the peace negotiations. However, Gorkon is assassinated, and Kirk and McCoy are framed for the crime.

Kirk and McCoy are imprisoned in Rura Penthe, a penal colony in the Klingon Empire. They are rescued by Spock and the rest of the Enterprise crew, and they set out to find the real assassin. The investigation leads them to a group of Klingon extremists who are opposed to peace with the Federation. Kirk and the Enterprise crew are able to stop the extremists and prevent a war between the Klingons and the Federation. The film ends with the signing of a peace treaty between the two sides, and Kirk and McCoy are pardoned for the murder of Gorkon.

7. Star Trek: Generations (1994)

Star Trek: Generations (1994) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Timeline: Prime

Cast: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Where to watch: HBO Max

This movie follows Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) of the USS Enterprise-D as he teams up with Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) to stop a renegade scientist from destroying a planetary system.

Featuring the cast of actors from the Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series, the film begins with the crew of the Enterprise D on a mission to investigate a mysterious energy ribbon. The ribbon is revealed to be a doorway to an extra-dimensional realm known as the Nexus, a place of peace and tranquility. The ribbon is also revealed to be unstable, and it is slowly destroying the star system it is located in.

Captain Kirk, who was presumed dead after the events of Star Trek: The Voyage Home, is rescued from the Nexus by the Enterprise-D. Kirk agrees to help Picard stop the scientist, Tolian Soran (Malcolm McDowell), from destroying the star system. Soran is obsessed with returning to the Nexus, and he is willing to sacrifice anything to do so.

Picard, Kirk, and the Enterprise crew are able to stop Soran and save the star system. However, Kirk is killed in the battle. The film ends with Picard eulogizing Kirk, and the Enterprise-D departing on a new mission.

8. Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

Star Trek: First Contact (1996) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Timeline: Prime

Cast: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Where to watch: HBO Max

Directed by Jonathan Frakes in his film directorial debut, the movie finds the crew of the USS Enterprise-E traveling back in time from the 24th century to the mid-21st century to stop the cybernetic Borg Queen from conquering Earth. 

The film opens with the Borg attacking Earth in the year 2063, just moments before Zefram Cochrane is set to make the first flight powered by a warp drive. The Borg assimilate Cochrane and destroy the Enterprise-D, killing most of its crew. Six years later, the Enterprise-E is on a mission to investigate a Borg cube that has been disabled by a strange energy field. The crew soon discovers that the cube is from the future, and that the Borg needed to go back in time to prevent Cochrane from making his flight.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his crew must race against time to stop the Borg and save Earth. Along the way, they must also confront their own fears and doubts, and learn to work together as a team.

9. Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)

Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Timeline: Prime

Cast: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Where to watch: HBO Max

The film opens with the Enterprise-E on a mission to the planet Ba’ku,  home to a peaceful and idyllic community of people. The Ba’ku live in harmony with nature and are unaffected by aging. The Enterprise’s mission is to study the Ba’ku and their planet, which is located in a region of space that is rich in subspace fields. These fields are believed to have healing properties, and the Federation is interested in using them to develop a new medical treatment.

However, the Enterprise soon learns that the Federation is not the only one interested in the planet of Ba’ku’s. A group of aliens known as the Son’a are also interested in the planet’s healing properties. The Son’a are a dying race, and they believe that the Ba’ku’s planet is the only hope for their survival.

When the Son’a have begun to take steps to take over the Ba’ku’s planet, Picard must decide whether to help the Ba’ku relocate to another place or reclaim their home planet.

Although the film was praised for its special effects and its positive message about the importance of protecting nature, it was criticized for its slow pace and its lack of action.

10. Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)

Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Timeline: Prime

Cast: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Where to watch: HBO Max

Set in the 24th century, the crew of the USS Enterprise-E are forced to deal with a threat to the United Federation of Planets from a clone of Captain Picard named Shinzon, who has taken control of the Romulan Star Empire in a coup d’état.

The film begins with the Enterprise-E on a mission to escort a Romulan delegation to a peace conference. However, the mission is interrupted when the Enterprise is attacked by a Romulan warship. The attack is led by Shinzon, a clone of Captain Picard who was created by the Romulans as a weapon. Shinzon has taken control of the Romulan Star Empire and is planning to attack the Federation.

The Enterprise crew must race against time to stop Shinzon and prevent him from starting a war. Along the way, they must also deal with the personal implications of facing a clone of their captain.

11. Star Trek (2009)

Star Trek (2009) Official Trailer - Chris Pine, Eric Bana, Zoe Saldana Movie HD

Timeline: Kelvin

Cast: John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, etc.

Where to watch: Paramount+

Starring a set of new cast members, the film follows James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) aboard the USS Enterprise as they combat Nero (Eric Bana), a Romulan from their future who threatens the United Federation of Planets. It begins with the destruction of the Romulan homeworld, Romulus, by a supernova. Nero, a Romulan commander, blames the Federation for the destruction of his homeworld and sets out to destroy them. He travels back in time to the year 2258, where he encounters the USS Enterprise, a newly-commissioned starship under the command of Captain Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood). Nero attacks the Enterprise and kills Pike, leaving James T. Kirk, a young cadet, in command.

The movie was praised for its action sequences, visual effects, and performances, particularly those of Pine, Quinto, and Bana. It was also praised for its modern take on the Star Trek franchise, which was seen as a breath of fresh air by many fans.

12. Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

Star Trek Into Darkness Official Trailer #3 (2013) - JJ Abrams Movie HD

Timeline: Kelvin

Cast: John Cho, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alice Eve, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, etc.

Where to watch: Paramount+

Set in the 23rd century, the movie follows the crew of the starship Enterprise as they investigate a series of attacks on Starfleet vessels. The attacks are carried out by a mysterious figure known as John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch), who is revealed to be a Starfleet officer who was presumed dead. Harrison is seeking revenge on Starfleet for the death of his people, and he plans to use a powerful weapon to destroy Earth.

James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and his crew must race against time to stop Harrison before he can carry out his plan. Along the way, they must deal with personal conflicts and challenges, and they must learn to work together as a team in order to save the world.

13. Star Trek Beyond (2016)

Star Trek Beyond - Trailer (2016) - Paramount Pictures

Timeline: Kelvin

Cast: John Cho, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alice Eve, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, etc.

Where to watch: Paramount+

In this movie, the crew of the USS Enterprise is on a five-year mission of exploring new worlds when they are attacked by Krall (Idris Elba), a ruthless alien warlord who seeks to destroy the Federation. The Enterprise is badly damaged and forced to crash-land on a desert planet. James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), and the rest of the crew must find a way to repair the ship and defeat Krall before he can destroy the Federation.

How to watch Star Trek movies in release order

Star Trek movie posters | Where to watch all the Star Trek movies

The chronological order and the release order of Star Trek movies are the same, so if you want them in order of their release dates, you can follow the list below:

Here is the list of Star Trek movies in release order:

  1. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
  2. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
  3. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
  4. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
  5. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
  6. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
  7. Star Trek: Generations (1994)
  8. Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
  9. Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
  10. Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
  11. Star Trek (2009)
  12. Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
  13. Star Trek Beyond (2016)

Does Paramount+ have all the Star Trek movies?

Though Paramount Plus has called itself the streaming home of the Star Trek franchise, the service doesn’t have all the Star Trek movies. As seen above, only the Kelvin Timeline Star Trek movies are available for streaming on Paramount+ while all the films set in the Prime Timeline are streaming on HBO Max.

Why are some Star Trek movies not on Paramount+?

While October 2022 saw the biggest exodus of Star Trek movies from Paramount+ in over a year, TrekMovie.com reported that the departure of the films from the platform is simply due to licensing deals cut with other streaming services several years ago. The website pointed out that the six films featuring the original cast of TOS and the four films featuring the cast of TNG left Paramount+ for AMC in 2022 only to come back to the former a few months later.

Where to watch Star Trek movies for free

You can watch the Kelvin Timeline Star Trek movies on Paramount+ for free by taking advantage of the streamer’s 7-day free trial. HBO Max, on the other hand, doesn’t offer any trial, so there’s no way to stream TOS films and TNG films in its library without paying for a subscription plan.

Are there upcoming Star Trek movies in the work?

Star Trek 4

A fourth movie in the Kelvin Timeline is in the works. Star Trek 4 was officially announced at the Paramount Global Investors’ Day event in February 2022. Production of the film started in the spring of 2022. No director is currently attached to the project, but the main cast members from the first three movies are expected to return to their respective roles.

The project will be a joint-venture production between Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot Productions, with J. J. Abrams and Lindsey Weber signed on as producers. Josh Friedman and Cameron Squires were recently hired to do a rewrite of the previous draft of the script created by Lindsey Beer and Geneva Robertson-Dworet.

Untitled Kalinda Vasquez film

In March 2021, it was announced that Kalinda Vasquez, who previously worked on Star Trek: Discovery is writing a new Star Trek film. The project is also a joint-venture production between Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot Productions, with J. J. Abrams serving as producer.

Untitled Nicholas Meyer film

Nicholas Meyer revealed in March 2021 that he and Steven Charles-Jaffe had written a concept for a Star Trek movie set between  Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan. They pitched the idea to Alex Kurtzman, J.J. Abrams, and Emma Watts from Paramount Pictures last year.

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