Release order
The six original-cast films establish the movie series. The four Next Generation films follow, beginning with a handoff in Generations. The three modern reboot films offer a fresh entry point.
Beyond the familiar
Go farther.
Bring curiosity.
Star Trek’s theatrical films span the original crew, their successors, and a separate alternate reality. The films reward curiosity, but you need only choose one crew to begin.
Star Trek1979–2016About 25 hours
Before you press play
Two ways in.
One great journey.
Story order
Each crew’s films run in release order. Wrath of Khan, Search for Spock, and Voyage Home work particularly well as a connected stretch. The 2009 reboot and its sequels are an alternate reality, not a prequel to the originals.
The films / 13 theatrical releases
Star Trek
Your viewing guide.
Release order · US theatrical dates where available. Story order is an editorial viewing suggestion.
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Star Trek: The Motion Picture
The original television crew returns for a slower, large-scale encounter.
Directed by Robert Wise
With William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest KelleyUS theatrical release:
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Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
An old adversary brings the crew into a deeply personal conflict.
Directed by Nicholas Meyer
With William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Ricardo MontalbanUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Directly follows Wrath of Khan’s consequences.
Directed by Leonard Nimoy
With William Shatner, DeForest Kelley, James DoohanUS theatrical release:
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Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
The connected story takes an unexpectedly playful trip to Earth.
Directed by Leonard Nimoy
With William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest KelleyUS theatrical release:
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Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
The crew follows a journey toward a mysterious destination.
Directed by William Shatner
With William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest KelleyUS theatrical release:
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Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
The original cast faces a changing political future.
Directed by Nicholas Meyer
With William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest KelleyUS theatrical release:
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Star Trek: Generations
A film transition between the original and Next Generation casts.
Directed by David Carson
With Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent SpinerUS theatrical release:
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Star Trek: First Contact
The crew confronts a familiar threat in a time-travel mission.
Directed by Jonathan Frakes
With Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent SpinerUS theatrical release:
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Star Trek: Insurrection
A dispute over an extraordinary world tests the crew’s principles.
Directed by Jonathan Frakes
With Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, Michael DornUS theatrical release:
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Star Trek: Nemesis
The final Next Generation feature centers on a personal mirror.
Directed by Stuart Baird
With Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent SpinerUS theatrical release:
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Star Trek
A new cast begins a separate timeline and a fast-moving adventure.
Directed by J.J. Abrams
With Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard NimoyUS theatrical release:
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Star Trek Into Darkness
Continues the reboot crew’s conflicts and allegiances.
Directed by J.J. Abrams
With Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe SaldañaUS theatrical release:
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Star Trek Beyond
The crew is scattered and must find its way back together.
Directed by Justin Lin
With Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl UrbanUS theatrical release:
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Guide notes & sources
Editorial review: . Released theatrical features only; television, shorts, direct-to-video titles, and unreleased films are excluded. Story order follows each whole film’s main narrative. This guide is not a content rating or age recommendation.
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