Top 10 Star Trek movies, ranked

Created by Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek is a sci-fi media franchise that began in the 1960s with a TV series. The TV show aired from 1966 to 1969 and was cancelled after three seasons. But it received widespread popularity in syndication.

After the massive success of Star Wars, Paramount decided to create a line of movies and there were six original movies that featured the original crew of the TV series. In 2009, there were four other movies that were a reboot and a part of the TV series, Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Finally, there were three other movies in the later years and a TV movie. The media franchise has expanded into several spin-off TV series and animated shows and is now a pop culture phenomenon. Here are 10 of the most successful Star Trek movies based on the Rotten Tomatoes ranking.

Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek Into Darkness, and other best Star Trek movies

10. Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Still from the movie (Image via Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers)

Directed by Robert Wise and starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and others, this sci-fi movie is the first film in a long train of Star Trek movies. The film reunited the original crew of the TV series after a decade and was deemed as Paramount’s answer to the massive success of Star Wars.

The film revolves around a powerful alien cloud called V’Ger, that is destructive in nature. Therefore, to stop it from destroying the planet, admiral James T. Kirk (Shatner) takes command of the refitted Starship Enterprise and begins a mission to stop the cloud.

The film has several high-tech special effects, which made it one of the highest-costing movies of the 1970s. Gene Roddenberry provides the story of the film, which differs from the wit and high-octane action of the TV series. Thus, the movie has big and ponderous ideas and moves at a slow pace.

The movie received mixed reviews because of its lack of action scenes and overdependence on special effects. While the movie is not the best in the canon, it did pave the way for more movies to come. It has a 52% Rotten Tomato rating.

9. Star Trek: Insurrection

Starring Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, Marina Sirtis, and others, this sci-fi movie is directed by Jonathan Frakes and features the cast of the TV series, Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The ninth movie in the film franchise, the movie is about the crew of USS Enterprise-E, which rebels against the Starfleet command after they discover that a conspiracy has begun, which involves the species of Son’a, and which wants to steal the Ba’ku’s planet’s special properties.

The movie is a sequel to Star Trek: First Contact, which was better received for its action and story, while this movie has a lighter and more comedic tone and was noted for its sluggish pace, which resembled an extended episode of the TV series. The movie earned decently well but received mixed reviews for its pace. It has a 55% Rotten Tomato rating.

8. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Directed by Leonard Nimoy and starring William Shatner, James Doohan, and others, this sci-fi movie is the third film in the original series of six movies and continues the story that was started in its predecessor movie, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

The film focuses on how after Spock’s death, the crew of USS Enterprise return to Earth and find out that Spock’s spirit is in the mind of Dr. Leonard Bones McCoy. Admiral Kirk and his crew decide to use the USS Enterprise once more and return Spock’s body to his homeworld.

The movie also focuses on how the crew fights with the Klingons, who want to steal the secrets of the powerful device called Genesis. The movie comes on the heels of its acclaimed predecessor, and does a decent job of continuing the saga.

The film also features the reversal of Spock’s death and the reunion between Spock and Kirk, which makes it a memorable movie. While the movie did not reach massive heights because of its lack of dazzling special effects, it is still considered a decent instalment. It has a 78% Rotten Tomato rating.

7. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

The fourth film in the franchise and the sequel of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, this sci-fi movie is also directed by Leonard Nimoy and revolves around the crew of the USS Enterprise coming back to Earth after the previous movie’s events.

However, they realize that the planet is in danger as an alien probe is trying to contact extinct humpback whales. The crew must, therefore, travel back in time to find the whales. The film is noted for its lighthearted tone and is full of enjoyable moments.

The film was initially planned to be a vehicle for Eddie Murphy to join the franchise but the comedian dropped out of the movie and Nimoy continued with the humorous tone. While it does not have vast intergalactic adventures, its simple plot was appreciated rather than being criticized.

The movie was a critical and commercial success and was one of the highest-grossing movies of the year. Its humor, direction, and story were praised. It has an 81% Rotten Tomato rating.

6. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

Directed by Nicholas Meyer and starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, James Doohan, and others, this sci-fi movie is the sixth and final movie that features the original cast of the original TV series.

The film is noted for being the final sendoff for the original crew and also has a tone of triumph as it celebrates the 25th anniversary of the show. The movie revolves around the peace between the Klingon Empire and the Federation, after the Klingon moon Praxis is destroyed.

Further, the crew of the USS Enterprise must fight against mysterious conspirators with a hidden agenda. The movie comes on the heels of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, which was a disappointment. While the film was originally planned to include younger actors to revitalize the franchise, Paramount decided to keep the original crew so that they can get a fitting send-off.

The film has witty dialogues, a stellar climactic sequence, and strong visuals and plotline. The film therefore garnered positive reviews and has an 83% Rotten Tomatoes rating.

5. Star Trek Into Darkness

Still from the movie (Image via Rotten Tomatoes Trailers)

Starring Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, and others, this sci-fi action movie is directed by JJ Abrams and is the 12th instalment in the overall Star Trek franchise and the sequel to the 2009 movie Star Trek, which makes it the second movie in the rebooted movie series.

The film is set in the 23rd century and revolves around Admiral Kirk and his crew of the USS Enterprise, being sent to Klingon and seeking the terrorist John Harrison. The film has advanced visual effects and plenty of action. It was also the last movie Nimoy starred in before his death.

While the movie is noted for being a remake of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and having some nonsensical plotlines, it is a visually appealing movie and has lots of twists and turns. The film is the highest-grossing entry in the franchise and has an 84% Rotten Tomato rating.

4. Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Directed by Nicholas Meyer and starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and others, this sci-fi movie is one of the most successful and remembered installments in the movie’s franchise.

As the second movie in the franchise, it revolves around the battle between Kirk and his crew of the USS Enterprise and the genetically engineered tyrant Khan, who has escaped an exile and want to get revenge on Kirk and acquire the powerful device called Genesis.

The influential movie is noted for its strong plot, tension, and the iconic performance of Ricardo Montalban, who plays the evil Khan. The film has been remade twice within the same franchise because of its resonant status.

However, the original movie still stands apart and has some touching moments like Kirk screaming Khan’s name and the final emotional scene, which is still a part of pop culture. The film has an 86% Rotten Tomato rating.

3. Star Trek Beyond

Still from the movie (Image via Paramount Movies)

Starring Chris Pine, John Cho, Simon Pegg, and others, this sci-fi movie is directed by Justin Lin and is the 13th movie in the franchise and the third instalment in the reboot series.

The film is about how the USS Enterprise crashes after an attack by the dictator Krall and his drones. Now, Kirk and his crew must survive in a hostile planet and stop Krall from destroying the Federation. The movie has lots of action and stunning visuals and comes the closest in spirit to the original TV series.

The movie has lots of insider references to the film’s lore and has interesting characters like Sofia Boutella’s Jaylah, which steals the screen. The movie also commemorated Nimoy’s death and celebrates the 50th anniversary of Star Trek. The movie was a critical and commercial success and has an 86% Rotten Tomato rating.

2. Star Trek: First Contact

Directed by Jonathan Frakes and starring Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, and others, this sci-fi movie is the eighth movie in the overall franchise and the second starring the cast of the TV series, Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The movie revolves around the crew of USS Enterprise-E, travelling back in time from 24th to the 21st century, to stop the cybernetic Borg from destroying the Earth and changing the past. The film was a critical and commercial success and is noted for its plot, its reintroduction of Borg, who was a famous villain in the TV show, and the introduction of the seductive Borg Queen.

The film also has lighthearted moments and memorable dialogues. The movie was therefore a hit and proved to the audiences that the franchise can provide a thriller movie even without the help of the original cast. It has a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score.

1. Star Trek

Starring Simon Pegg, John Cho, and others, this sci-fi action movie is directed by JJ Abrams and is the 11th movie in the franchise and is the first movie that was a reboot of the Star Trek franchise. The film is noted for its significant overhaul, as it features a younger but determined cast, a strong story infused with humor and action, and thrilling visuals.

The cameo by Nimoy also makes the movie iconic. The film is set in an alternate reality and focuses on Kirk and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise, trying to combat Nero, a Romulan from the future who is hell bent on destroying the United Federation of Planets. The movie was a critical and commercial success and remains an iconic crowd pleaser that revived the franchise. It has a 94% Rotten Tomato rating.