All 13 Star Trek movies ranked from worst to best

9. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, released in movie theaters in 1984, certainly doesn’t lack in terms of visually stunning set pieces and excellent special effects. It is a testament to the growth of Star Trek’s visual spectacle (which had grown exponentially since the classic ’60s TV series), taking the audience from the fiery birth of a new planet to thrilling space battles, with the Enterprise showing her battle scars. From the terraforming of the Genesis Project to the detailed and atmospheric sets that bring the Trek universe to life, the visual creativity was truly impressive for its time.

But, while the spectacle impresses, it seems that the story is somewhat put in the backseat. The Search of Spock is a movie that tries to go deeper into the complex themes of sacrifice, friendship, and mortality, revolving around the crew of the Enterprise risking everything to recover their crew mate and friend, Spock. But with much of the focus on visual effects, these themes sometimes feel less explored than they should have been.

The performances are strong, especially from the original cast, but they kind of struggle to shine against the backdrop of relentless action and eye-catching visuals. All of this aside, it still is an enjoyable installment in the Star Trek saga.