Star Trek Kelvin timeline films ranked from worst to best

Upon conception of this list, I knew from the beginning that while I felt it a more then worthy film in the Trek canon (and still better then a lot of Trek films) there was no doubt in my mind that Star Trek Beyond would have to be relegated to the #3 spot in this list, but when it came to the #2 and #1 spot, I was absolutely tormented in my decision making. Star Trek 2009 comes in at an extremely close second, even though I absolutely love this film, and it will always hold a special place in my heart for being the first Trek film I ever watched.

Star Trek 2009 would be the first Trek film to explode onto the big screne since 2002’s box office bomb of Star Trek: Nemesis, which was panned by critics and fans alike. It featured a reboot of the story, complete with an entirely brand new cast who jelled together instantly. The film had edge of your seat action sequences and tense moments between Kirk and Spock the likes of which had never been seen before.

The origin stories that the film gave to both its leading men were well fleshed out and never boring to watch. Also, I know this is a polarizing topic among Trekkies, but I, for one, greatly enjoyed the presence of Leonard Nimoy in the film, and using the rules of time travel that exist within Trek, his presence made absolute sense. And, to this Trekkie anyway, not only did it not seem forced, it seemed like the perfect way to mark a passing of the torch so to speak.

To be honest, though, I could not really get into the villain of Star Trek 2009. Actually I believe Idris Elba’s Krall to be the superior villain, but this can be forgiven, for I feel the real purpose of the film was to establish the rebooted versions of these beloved characters and set the mood and momentum for films to come, and at this, Star Trek 2009 succeeds with flying colors.