For more than half a century, Star Trek films have served as warp gates into a universe where curiosity is power and cooperation is the norm.
Each movie carries its own history, reflecting the era it was made while expanding a shared timeline that stretches from the original series to alternate realities. This list walks you through every cinematic voyage in order, layering story, production trivia, and deep lore so you can trace how the Federation, its enemies, and its ideals evolved on screen.
Whether you came aboard with Kirk or found your way through Picard, Janeway, or the Kelvin crew, this timeline captures the franchise’s beating heart: bold exploration and human possibility.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Lead actors: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley
Plot: An immense unknown entity heads for Earth. The refit Enterprise must solve the riddle before humanity is erased.
Connections: Introduces Ilia and V’Ger. Establishes the refit look that defines the film era.
- Lore: V’Ger is a Voyager probe that evolved after contact with a machine civilization.
- Trivia: Developed from the unproduced Phase II series. Robert Wise steered a turbulent production.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Lead actors: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Ricardo Montalbán
Plot: Khan escapes exile and seeks revenge on Kirk, with the Genesis Device as the fuse.
Connections: Direct sequel to Space Seed. Launches the Genesis Trilogy arc.
- Lore: The Kobayashi Maru becomes Trek shorthand for character under pressure.
- Trivia: Often hailed as the series high point. The quadrant hears Khaaaan.
- Why the sequel works
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
Lead actors: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley
Plot: The crew risks careers and ship to restore Spock after the Genesis aftermath.
Connections: Direct sequel to Wrath of Khan. Continues the Genesis arc.
- Lore: The Genesis Planet accelerates life cycles, a warning about unchecked tech leaps.
- Trivia: Leonard Nimoy’s directing debut. Christopher Lloyd plays Kruge.
- Review and themes
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Lead actors: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley
Plot: Time travel to 1986 San Francisco to save humpback whales and the future that needs them.
Connections: Closes the Genesis Trilogy with heart and humor.
- Lore: The probe communicates via whale song. Nonhuman intelligence drives the conflict.
- Trivia: Fan favorite for its light touch and quotable comedy.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Lead actors: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley
Plot: A charismatic Vulcan seeks a godlike being at the galaxy’s center, pulling the crew into a crisis of faith.
Connections: Continues the classic crew era, testing belief and found family.
- Lore: Sha Ka Ree becomes a touchpoint for debates about myth and science.
- Trivia: Often ranked lower, yet the campfire scenes are comfort food for fans.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Lead actors: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley
Plot: A conspiracy threatens a fragile peace between the Federation and the Klingon Empire.
Connections: A farewell to the TOS crew, bridging to TNG era diplomacy.
- Lore: Praxis explosion reshapes Klingon politics. Shakespeare in the original Klingon becomes fan legend.
- Trivia: Released as the Soviet Union dissolved, sharpening its Cold War allegory.
Star Trek: Generations (1994)
Lead actors: Patrick Stewart, William Shatner
Plot: Picard battles Soran and the lure of the Nexus while crossing paths with Captain Kirk.
Connections: Formal handoff from TOS to TNG. The Enterprise D meets its end.
- Lore: The Nexus functions like a timeless wish space that tempts heroes to stop moving forward.
- Trivia: First on screen meeting of Kirk and Picard. The saucer crash was a technical showcase.
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
Lead actors: Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner
Plot: The Borg target Earth’s past to prevent humanity’s first warp flight. Picard confronts his scars.
Connections: Sequel momentum after Generations. Revenge, trauma, identity.
- Lore: April 5, 2063 is First Contact Day. Zefram Cochrane’s Phoenix flight anchors Trek history.
- Trivia: Directed by Riker. Many fans rank it the best TNG feature.
- Review of First Contact
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
Lead actors: Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner
Plot: The Enterprise E protects the Ba’ku from a relocation scheme that would strip their world for others.
Connections: A Prime Directive morality play.
- Lore: The Son’a and Ba’ku share a history that reframes the conflict as family and exile.
- Trivia: Shot in the Sierra Nevada. Score by Jerry Goldsmith, tying back to The Motion Picture.
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
Lead actors: Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, Tom Hardy
Plot: A clone of Picard rises on Romulus. The Enterprise E faces the Reman warship Scimitar.
Connections: Curtain call for the TNG film crew.
- Lore: Introduces Remans to screen canon. Seeds later Romulan politics on television.
- Trivia: Early Tom Hardy showcase. Farewell to the Enterprise E on film.
Star Trek (2009)
Lead actors: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana
Plot: A time traveling Romulan miner attacks Starfleet, altering history. A new crew forms on a familiar bridge.
Connections: Launches the Kelvin timeline, an alternate continuity that preserves Prime lore while exploring new paths.
- Lore: Spock Prime’s presence keeps a living bridge to the original continuity.
- Trivia: Lens flares became a calling card. A fresh cast brought new fans aboard.
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Lead actors: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch
Plot: A terror plot entwines Section 31 and a reimagined Khan.
Connections: Mirrors Wrath of Khan beats in a new context. Continues Kelvin era politics with Klingon tension.
- Lore: Section 31 steps from whispered rumor to movie menace.
- Trivia: Shot in Los Angeles, London, and Iceland. Leonard Nimoy appears as Spock Prime.
Star Trek Beyond (2016)
Lead actors: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana
Plot: Stranded on a remote world, the crew must regroup and outthink Krall to save Yorktown Station.
Connections: A 50th anniversary salute about unity and improvisation.
- Lore: The Franklin connects to early warp history, binding the Kelvin era to Federation roots.
- Trivia: Dedicated to Anton Yelchin. Yorktown’s gravity-bending design became an instant icon.
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