At the 2013 Star Trek convention in Las Vegas, the second J.J. Abrams movie, Star Trek Into Darkness, was voted the worst movie of the franchise coming in behind Trek spoof Galaxy Quest and William Shatner’s search for God, The Final Frontier. Simon Pegg, who plays Scotty, responded in a very calm and considerate fashion to the Trek fans poll by saying:
“You know what … it absolutely isn’t the worst Star Trek movie. It’s asinine, you know? It’s ridiculous. And frustrating, as well, because a lot of hard work and love went into that movie, and all J.J. wanted to do was make a film that people really enjoyed. So, to be subject to that level of sort of, like, crass fucking ire, I just say fuck you.”
As Star Trek Discovery hits Netflix, Lee Hutchison gives his own ranking of the Star Trek movies, from The Motion Picture to last year’s Beyond. Thankfully Simon Pegg is not standing behind him with his bloody cricket bat from Shaun of the Dead.
13. The Final Frontier (1989)
I was six when my Star Trek fandom took root and for my birthday, among the toys, I was given a VHS copy of the fifth movie of the franchise. This was my first experience of the original series on the big screen. It’s a surprise my fandom didn’t stop on that day, though, as I watched a lethargic and tired cast potter about the cosmos looking for God and debating the merits of life, death and campfire songs around a fire.
A movie that nearly killed off The Original Series movie run could have done the same for me!
12. Insurrection (1998)
A few years ago, I watched a documentary that met with the devoted and doomed fans waiting weeks in line to get tickets to Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. At one point a group of in costume Trek fans appear with signs mocking these queuing fans – culture clashes seemed so much more peaceful in the 90’s.
It’s quite amazing that after the atrocious Insurrection that was released months earlier, any Trek found the courage to mock another movie sci-fi series.
11. The Motion Picture (1979)
The movie looks stunning and the much-mocked slow motion tour of the Enterprise in space dock is a scene I would’ve cried watching if I was a fan in the 1970’s, but the movie is a test of endurance to watch in the comfort of your own home.
An ambitious movie that is truly a technical achievement and features an iconic Jerry Goldsmith score, the characters and story sadly never grip you in the same way.
10. Generations (1994)
At the age of seven, this was my first chance to see a Star Trek movie on the big screen but I was struck with an upset stomach and had to miss the screening. Months later, I would finally see this on a pirate video I bought in a Spanish pub with my holiday money. The plot, the villain, the crossover and the ideas are all flawed but it is littered with some standout scenes.
Picard grappling over the death of his family with Troi is beautifully acted but the best moments of the movie feel better suited to the TV series and the big screen action scenes just don’t compete with the blockbusters of that time.
9. Nemesis (2002)
In the Christmas of 2002, I felt I was too cool for Star Trek and was embarrassed about my fandom, but I was never going to miss the chance to see a new movie. I pretended to my family I was going to see Elf and if I was looking for a well-crafted and reflective movie, I should probably have gone to see that instead.
After 15 years together, the Next Generation crew looked bored and going through the motions in their final adventure. Tom Hardy stands out early on his career as Picard’s younger clone and much like this viewer, suffered from depression due to this movie.
8. The Search for Spock (1984)
Following on from The Wrath of Khan was always going to be a challenge, yet while the third movie in the franchise never comes close to that series high, The Search for Spock doesn’t deserve to be as overlooked as it is. At its best an intimate tale about the crew seeking out their old friend at the expense of their careers, future and family – at worst a dull walkabout an alien planet on a sound studio with three bland characters.
It’s impossible not to love the Enterprise escaping space dock or burning up in the atmosphere, and touching work from Shatner as he hears and stumbles to the floor when he hears news of his son’s death, but those are its primary standout moments.
7. Into Darkness (2013)
I hope this is okay, Simon? A movie I’ll fly the flag for but it does fall dramatically short in it’s final 30 minutes. I love the idea of a Star Trek movie taking place over an intense few days and this tale of terror, drone strikes and military coups in times of war is gripping at times. Sadly too much of the crew are wasted outside the core trio of Kirk, Uhura and Spock continues a disappointing trend of not using an ensemble cast in Trek.
The movie falls apart once Spock and John Harrison (sorry, I mean Khan) just start slugging it out on a garbage hovercraft, but the Gene Roddenberry spirit is alive and well here.
6. The Voyage Home (1986)
A hug in a mug movie that is perfect when you’re feeling sad or glad. The crew travel back to the ‘primitive’ age of the 1980s to hunt down a pair of whales they need to bring back to the future, in order talk to some random probe. Does that sound daft? Of course it does!
Yet it remains one of the most enjoyable movies in the franchise, and as the Trek movies during the Next Generation era turn to violence and action movie shlock to tell a story, this shows Trek can be at its most inclusive and enjoyable to audiences when it takes risks.
5. Star Trek (2009)
Star Trek was dead and after Enterprise limped off the screen and Nemesis withered at the box office, this “reboot” brought Trek back and delivered a highly engaging and superbly cast adventure. J.J. Abrams recruited a special collection of actors who all nailed their roles and stepped with ease into the Starfleet boots of giants.
It felt for the first time that a Trek movie didn’t have a small budget and could compete on a bigger scale, with finances and ambition equivalent to many of the biggest cinematic blockbusters.
4. Beyond (2016)
The post viewing buzz for this movie hasn’t worn off yet one year on and I think I love it! Yes, the villain and it’s scheme is pretty standard and forgettable but this movie delivered on what I hoped a Justin Lin movie would do – use the cast! The acting talent in these movies is sensational and this latest entry gives them all moments to shine and come together in a way that Star Trek movies do at their best.
The tributes to Leonard Nimoy are well done and the sorrow at the loss of Anton Yelchin give this story a very melancholy feel and make it feel truly special.
3. First Contact (1996)
I was three years too young to watch this movie at the cinema but my Dad took me after school one night to see it and I’ll never forget seeing the Enterprise outside of a TV screen for the first time – it was truly a special moment for this young fan.
The action, drama, score and even comedy are so perfectly executed and balanced, it was magical to see The Next Generation crew get a big screen adventure that respected the series but never once feels like a made for TV movie. This was a blockbuster.
2. The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Nicholas Meyer returns to the director’s chair to send the Enterprise crew off into the sunset and gives fans all the traits that we demand from a Star Trek adventure. The crew are all showcased here and get to close their stories with moments of great warmth, humour and reflection.
It’s a shame the ending is undone somewhat by Generations but this was a perfect way to bring this crews time to an end.
1. The Wrath of Khan (1982)
The movie that saved Star Trek after the misstep that was The Motion Picture, Nicholas Meyer brought together a shambolic pre-production to make the series dynamic, adventurous, bold – out of the space pyjamas and into the modern day. It’s a movie that delivers a series high villain, death, tense set pieces and great performances from everyone involved.
It’s too often overlooked how much of a gear shift this movie was but this feels like where Star Trek truly began and has burned across the universe ever since.
What is your favourite Star Trek movie? Let us know your ranking in comments or on social media.