Star Trek has shaped science fiction for more than half a century. What started on television eventually grew into a long series of movies that carried the story far beyond the original show.
Over the years, different crews have taken command of the Enterprise, and new chapters of the universe have reached the big screen.
With films released across several decades, many viewers want a clear answer to a simple question: how many Star Trek movies are there? Others also want to know how these films fit into the larger timeline of the story.
This guide provides a clear overview of the movies and how they connect within the Star Trek saga.
Quick Answer: How Many Star Trek Movies are There?
As of today, 13 official Star Trek movies have been released in theaters. These films were produced between 1979 and 2016 and span several generations of characters from the Star Trek universe.
The movies fall into three main groups:
- The Original Series films (1979–1991)
- The Next Generation films (1994–2002)
- The Kelvin Timeline reboot films (2009–2016)
Each group follows a different crew or timeline but remains connected to the larger Star Trek universe.
Complete List of All Star Trek Movies
| # | Movie Title | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
The Original Series Star Trek Movies (1979–1991)
The first six Star Trek movies focus on Captain James T. Kirk and the original crew of the USS Enterprise. These characters first appeared in the 1960s television series Star Trek: The Original Series.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
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The first film brought the franchise to theaters more than a decade after the television show ended. The story begins when a mysterious and immensely powerful cloud-like entity moves toward Earth, destroying everything in its path.
Starfleet sends the newly refitted USS Enterprise to intercept the threat, placing Admiral James T. Kirk back in command of the ship.
Although the movie moves at a slower pace than later entries, it emphasizes the theme that defined the original series: curiosity about the unknown.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
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This film dramatically changed the tone of the Star Trek movies. Instead of focusing mainly on exploration, the story centers on a personal conflict between Kirk and Khan Noonien Singh, a genetically engineered superhuman who seeks revenge.
The film combines action with strong character development, and it remains one of the most widely praised Star Trek films ever made.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
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This movie continues directly from the events of the previous film. After the Enterprise crew loses a close friend during the confrontation with Khan, they refuse to accept the loss without question.
The crew ultimately risks their careers and even their ship in order to restore what was lost.
The story highlights one of the central ideas of Star Trek: loyalty among the crew of the Enterprise.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
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While many Star Trek films deal with conflicts between civilizations, this movie takes a different approach.
The Enterprise crew travels back in time to twentieth-century Earth in order to find two humpback whales, which are needed to communicate with a powerful alien probe threatening the planet.
The film balances humor with an environmental message, making it one of the most accessible Star Trek movies for general audiences.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
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In this film, the Enterprise is hijacked by Sybok, a Vulcan who believes he has discovered a path to the center of the galaxy. His goal is to reach a mysterious planet that he believes contains a higher power.
The story explores questions about belief, truth, and the limits of knowledge.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
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The sixth film serves as a farewell to the original crew. After a disaster devastates the Klingon homeworld, the Klingon Empire seeks peace with the Federation.
However, a conspiracy threatens the fragile negotiations, and Captain Kirk finds himself at the center of the crisis.
The film reflects the political changes of the early 1990s and provides a strong conclusion to the story of Kirk’s crew.
The Next Generation Star Trek Movies (1994–2002)
After the success of Star Trek: The Next Generation on television, the franchise introduced a new set of films featuring Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise-D. These movies take place roughly a century after the adventures of Captain Kirk.
Star Trek: Generations (1994)
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The story connects two generations of Star Trek characters. Captain Picard faces a scientist who wants to enter a mysterious phenomenon known as the Nexus, a place where time and reality behave in unusual ways.
The film is notable because it brings together Captain Kirk and Captain Picard, two of the most important figures in the franchise.
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
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This film follows the Enterprise crew as they pursue the Borg, a powerful cybernetic species that threatens to change the course of human history.
When the Borg travel back in time to prevent Earth’s first contact with alien life, the Enterprise crew must follow them and protect the timeline.
The film combines action, suspense, and historical elements from the Star Trek universe.
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
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In this story, the Enterprise crew discovers that Starfleet plans to relocate the peaceful inhabitants of a planet with unusual properties that slow the aging process.
Captain Picard questions the morality of the plan and ultimately chooses to defend the inhabitants. The film focuses on the ethical principles that define the Federation.
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
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The final Next Generation film introduces Shinzon, a clone of Captain Picard who has risen to power within the Romulan Empire.
Shinzon’s ambitions threaten both the Federation and the stability of the galaxy. The movie also features one of the most emotional storylines in the Star Trek film series.
The Kelvin Timeline Star Trek Movies (2009–2016)
The Star Trek franchise returned to theaters in 2009 with a reboot directed by J. J. Abrams. These films retell the early adventures of the Enterprise crew but take place in a separate timeline.
Star Trek (2009)
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The film shows how James T. Kirk and Spock first meet and eventually serve together aboard the Enterprise. Their story unfolds amid the threat posed by Nero, a Romulan seeking revenge against the Federation.
The movie reintroduced the franchise to a new generation of viewers while honoring many elements of the original series.
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
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In the sequel, the Enterprise crew faces a mysterious and highly dangerous individual named John Harrison. As the story unfolds, his identity and motives become more complex than they first appear.
The film draws inspiration from earlier Star Trek stories while presenting them within the alternate Kelvin timeline.
Star Trek Beyond (2016)
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During a mission far from Federation space, the Enterprise is ambushed and destroyed by an unknown enemy.
Stranded on a remote planet, the crew must work together to survive and prevent a larger threat to the Federation. The film emphasizes cooperation, exploration, and the enduring spirit of the Enterprise crew.
Which Star Trek Movie Should You Watch First?
The best starting point depends on how someone wants to experience the Star Trek movies. Because the films span several decades and different crews, there are a few simple ways to begin.
Start with the Classic Films
Viewers who want the original feel of the franchise can start with the movies featuring Captain Kirk and the original Enterprise crew. Many fans recommend beginning with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
Start with the Modern Reboot
New viewers who prefer a modern style can begin with Star Trek (2009). It introduces the main characters again and takes place in an alternate timeline.
Watch in Release Order
For the full experience, watching the Star Trek movies in release order is the easiest option, as the story unfolds naturally from one generation to the next.
Final Thoughts
The Star Trek movies offer a clear way to follow the franchise beyond the television series.
Seeing all the films together helps viewers understand how the story moved from the early missions of the Enterprise to later adventures set deeper in the Federation’s history.
The movies also show how the franchise adapted across different decades, changing its style while keeping the core ideas of exploration and cooperation.
Having the complete list makes it easier to decide where to begin and how to continue through the series. Save this list or share it with friends planning a Star Trek movie watch order.
