Star Trek has always been a franchise about hope, connection, and found family, which makes it a perfect companion for the holiday season. These Treks aren’t “holiday specials” in a literal sense, but each one offers the emotional warmth, forgiveness, and togetherness that many people look for this time of year. Whether you are revisiting old favorites or introducing someone new to the franchise, these are the most heartwarming journeys to queue up over the holidays.
10. First Contact (1996)
First Contact is surprisingly comfortable at its core, even though it's about the Borg and time travel to stop the end of the world. The movie puts together Starfleet's worst enemy with one of its best stories: the first warp flight of humanity and the moment Earth realizes it is not alone in the universe. What makes this one so good for the holidays is how it turns dread into motivation.
Picard's concern with the Borg fades away as the crew safeguards not only history but also the chance of a better tomorrow. This all leads to the simple, wordless greeting that changes everything, which is the heartwarming handshake between Zefram Cochrane and the Vulcan visitor at the film's conclusion. First Contact is about getting through the worst parts of ourselves so we may meet the universe with open palms.