How Many Star Trek Movies Exist: The Real Count and Where to Start

So, you’re trying to figure out how many Star Trek movies there actually are. It sounds like a simple enough question, right? But if you ask three different fans, you’ll probably get four different answers. Honestly, that's just the nature of a franchise that has been jumping through time and across alternate realities since the late seventies.

As of early 2026, the official count stands at 14 movies.

That number includes the classic era, the nineties transition, the high-octane reboots, and the very recent shift into streaming-first features. If you're looking for a quick breakdown, we’ve got six films from the original crew, four from the Next Generation cast, three from the J.J. Abrams "Kelvin" timeline, and the new Section 31 movie that hit Paramount+ in 2025.

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It’s a lot to keep track of. Let's break down why the count is what it is and which ones actually deserve your couch time.

Breaking Down the Eras: How Many Star Trek Movies Per Crew?

When people talk about the "Star Trek movies," they usually group them into distinct eras. It's kinda like how people talk about James Bond; the vibe changes depending on who’s sitting in the captain’s chair.

The Original Series (TOS) Era: 6 Movies

This is where it all started on the big screen. After the original show was canceled in 1969, fan demand eventually pushed Paramount to produce Star Trek: The Motion Picture in 1979.

1. The Motion Picture (1979): It’s slow. Very slow. People often call it "The Motionless Picture," but it’s visually stunning if you like 70s sci-fi aesthetics.
2. The Wrath of Khan (1982): Basically the gold standard. If you only watch one Trek movie, make it this one.
3. The Search for Spock (1984): Directed by Leonard Nimoy himself. It’s a direct sequel to Khan.
4. The Voyage Home (1986): The "one with the whales." It’s basically a fish-out-of-water comedy set in San Francisco. It was a massive hit.
5. The Final Frontier (1989): William Shatner directed this one. It's... controversial. They go looking for God. It doesn't go great.
6. The Undiscovered Country (1991): A fantastic Cold War allegory that served as a proper swan song for the original crew.

The Next Generation (TNG) Era: 4 Movies

By the early 90s, Captain Picard’s crew was the new face of the franchise. They made the jump to film while their TV show was still fresh in everyone’s minds.

• Generations (1994): The "passing of the torch" movie where Kirk and Picard finally meet.
• First Contact (1996): Widely considered the best of the TNG era. It’s an action-horror flick featuring the Borg.
• Insurrection (1998): Feels a lot like a double-length TV episode. It’s fine, just not very "big."
• Nemesis (2002): This one almost killed the movie franchise. It performed poorly at the box office and left the series in limbo for years.

The Kelvin Timeline (The Reboots): 3 Movies

J.J. Abrams stepped in to save the day in 2009. He created an alternate timeline so he could recast the original characters without erasing the old history.

• Star Trek (2009): High energy, lens flares everywhere, and a great way to bring in new fans.
• Star Trek Into Darkness (2013): A gritty retelling of the Khan story.
• Star Trek Beyond (2016): Directed by Justin Lin. It feels more like a classic Trek episode but with a massive budget.

The New Frontier: Streaming Movies

This is where the count gets tricky for some. In January 2025, Star Trek: Section 31 starring Michelle Yeoh was released. Unlike the others, it didn't get a wide theatrical run—it was a Paramount+ original movie. But it’s a feature-length film, and it counts.

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What Happened to Star Trek 14?

You might have heard rumors about a "Star Trek 4" (which would be the 14th theatrical film or the 15th overall, depending on how you count Section 31). Honestly, the development of this movie has been a disaster.

Since 2016, there have been a dozen false starts. At one point, Quentin Tarantino was going to direct a Trek movie. Then Noah Hawley (the Fargo guy) was attached. Then Matt Shakman was set to direct before he left for Marvel’s Fantastic Four.

As of right now, Paramount is still trying to get another big-screen movie off the ground. There are reports of an "Origin Story" film directed by Toby Haynes in the works, and rumors that Chris Pine might eventually return for one last ride as Captain Kirk. But for now, the count stays at 14.

How Many Star Trek Movies Should You Actually Watch?

Look, 14 movies is a huge commitment. If you’re a completionist, go for it. But if you just want the hits, most fans would point you toward the "Even Number Rule."

For a long time, there was a legend that only the even-numbered Trek movies were good. The Wrath of Khan (2), The Voyage Home (4), The Undiscovered Country (6), and First Contact (8) are all stellar. The odd-numbered ones? Usually a bit more experimental or just plain weird.

However, the "reboots" broke that rule. The first J.J. Abrams movie (11) was great, while the second one (12) received a much more mixed reaction from the hardcore fanbase.

The Timeline Confusion: Prime vs. Kelvin

If you're wondering how many Star Trek movies fit into the main story you see in the TV shows, the answer is 11.

The three J.J. Abrams films take place in a "parallel universe." A Romulan ship from the future traveled back in time and destroyed the USS Kelvin, which changed everything from that point forward. This allowed the writers to kill off major characters or change relationships without affecting the "Prime Timeline" where The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager take place.

Section 31 (2025) is firmly in the Prime Timeline, though it deals with the mirror universe and some pretty heavy time-travel elements involving the Discovery era.

Getting Started: A Practical Roadmap

If you're looking to jump in, don't start at movie #1. It's beautiful but will likely put you to sleep if you aren't already a fan.

1. Start with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. It gives you enough context to understand the characters, and the stakes are incredibly high.
2. Follow the "Genesis Trilogy." That's movies 2, 3, and 4. They essentially form one long story arc.
3. Try the 2009 Reboot. If you want something modern and fast-paced, just start here. You don't need to know anything about the 1960s show to enjoy it.
4. Check out First Contact. Even if you haven't seen The Next Generation, it’s a great standalone sci-fi action movie.

Tracking the future of these films is a bit of a moving target. With Paramount’s recent corporate shifts and the rise of streaming-only features, the way we define a "Star Trek movie" is changing. But whether it’s on a 50-foot IMAX screen or your living room TV, the total remains 14.

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To stay current, keep an eye on official Paramount+ announcements regarding the "Origin" project. That's likely where the 15th entry will come from, potentially shifting the franchise back toward the big screen after its recent stint in the streaming world.