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The 4 best Star Trek films

The Star Trek franchise is best known for its plethora of television series, but it is often forgotten that there are fourteen Trek films. The Trek films generally follow each era with six Original Series films, four Next Generation films, three reboot Kelvin timeline films, and the newly released Section 31 taking place in the early 24th century.The Star Trek films present a wide spectrum of quality. Some are hailed as excellent while the fandom universally pans many. However, there are four films that stand out above the rest. Let’s dive in and see which Star Trek films you should add to your queue sooner rather than later.
ByQuincy Milton III|
Star Trek Explorer #12. Courtesy of Titan Comics
Star Trek Explorer #12. Courtesy of Titan Comics | Star Trek Explorer #12. Courtesy of Titan Comics

4. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

Have you ever wondered if the Klingons would like Shakespeare? Well, that question can be answered by tuning into The Undiscovered Country. The film portrays the Original Series crew’s race to thwart an attempt at peace between the Federation and the Klingon Empire while battling a unique Klingon Commander who is obsessed with Shakespeare.

The film brings the Original Series crew back together in a manner that wholly trumps the disaster that was Star Trek V. While Captain Kirk got his time in the limelight one more time in Star Trek: Generations a few years later, there was no better way to send off the rest of the Enterprise crew.

3. Star Trek (2009)

Say what you will about the story changes in the Kelvin timeline films, but there is no denying their entertainment factor. Star Trek rebooted the franchise after a seven-year absence from the big screen. It introduced a new cast with Chris Pine headlining as Captain Kirk.

Star Trek ushered in a new era for the franchise by holding on to its central themes of hope and equality while simultaneously upping the action and providing a truly futuristic look at the Enterprise that the previous films did not have the technology to achieve.

2. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

The Wrath of Khan is universally accepted as one of, if not the best, Star Trek films of all time. In the film, The Original Series crew must confront a past Enterprise villain when Khan returns from his exile on Ceti Alpha V to take revenge on Captain Kirk and Starfleet as a whole. The film’s drama and action sequences add to its appeal.

Captain Kirk is forced to confront multiple emotional fronts throughout the movie. The death of Spock and the threats to his son David Marcus send Kirk into a rage never seen before from the character. While Khan and Kirk never come face-to-face beyond a viewscreen, you can feel the mutual respect and hatred emanating from the two men throughout the film.

1. Star Trek: First Contact

Star Trek: First Contact provides viewers with the only cinematic appearance of the infamous Borg. The Next Generation crew must follow the Borg back in time to 21st-century Earth several years after the end of World War III. The Borg intend to thwart humans’ first contact with the Vulcans by killing Zefram Cochrane, the human father of warp travel.

First Contact has a special place in my heart as someone who grew up watching The Next Generation on reruns. The film blends excellent action with great special effects for its era. On an emotional level, the film revisits Captain Jean-Luc Picard's past trauma with Borg assimilation while also providing a glimpse into Star Trek history and lore. Additionally, Alfre Woodard and Alice Krige’s performances as Lily Sloane and the Borg Queen, respectively, are award-worthy.