Film

Star Trek Beyond

Name: Star Trek Beyond
Genre: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Released: 2016
Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldaña, Simon Pegg

A brisk, visually lavish space adventure that restores the original Star Trek spirit after the previous films' bombast. Directed by Justin Lin with genuine affection for the source material, it's a confident blockbuster that remembers fun still matters. For anyone who wants their sci-fi with humour, camaraderie, and spectacular set pieces.

TMDb rating

3.4

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you want a breezy, character-driven space adventure where the familiar crew's banter and fast set pieces matter more than sci-fi puzzles, and you enjoy the friendship between the leads.

Skip it if you find the franchise's technobabble and big-screen spectacle tiring, or you want a slower, more thoughtful take on space exploration; the action here is loud and frequent.

What it asks of you: It runs about two hours at a brisk, almost relentless rhythm, so you keep up with fast cuts and crowded scenes rather than settling into quiet reflection.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan1982

The gold standard for Trek films. Taut, emotionally resonant, with Khan as one of cinema's great villains. Proves the franchise can do intimate character drama at blockbuster scale.

But Pre-digital effects show their age. The pacing is deliberate in places, slower than modern action films expect.

Guardians of the Galaxy2014

Space adventure with the same irreverent tone and character-focused energy. Ragtag crew, witty banter, genuine stakes wrapped in colour and movement. Both films understand that likeable characters matter more than plot.

But More of a comedy-adventure than pure sci-fi. If you want hard science or philosophical depth, look elsewhere.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout2018

Delivers exactly what Beyond promises: propulsive action, globe-trotting spectacle, and a team dynamic that crackles. Tom Cruise at peak physicality, but the ensemble keeps it grounded and funny.

But Three-hour runtime feels it. The plot is deliberately convoluted—you're here for set pieces and charm, not to untangle the story.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Star Trek Beyond

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Gravity2013

Both films use space as their canvas, but where Beyond celebrates connection and humour in the void, Gravity shows what happens when connection is impossible. Complementary visions of the same frontier.

Alfonso Cuarón's technical masterpiece transforms space into a place of genuine dread and beauty. Stripped to essentials: one person, survival, silence. Shows how isolated space actually is—the opposite of crew camaraderie but equally profound about human resilience.

But Glacially paced, almost entirely dialogue-free, and existentially lonely. If you want warmth or ensemble fun, this is the wrong film.

Battlestar Galactica2003

Dark, serialised space opera with real political and moral weight. Shows what happens when sci-fi asks hard questions. Proves the genre can sustain genuine drama across seasons.

But Heavy and often grim. First two seasons are essential; later ones lose their way. Requires patience and emotional investment.

The Fifth Element1997

Pure visual euphoria wrapped around a simple hero's journey. Luc Besson's aesthetic is total: colour, costume, production design as storytelling. Colourful space opera that celebrates spectacle with intelligence.

But The plot is functional at best. Some performances are broad. If you want narrative subtlety, this film simply doesn't care.

Galaxy Quest1999

Treats Trek fandom with love rather than mockery. An underrated gem about a cast of has-been actors who become real heroes. Funny, genuinely moving, and captures why these stories matter to people.

But Plays as parody, which can feel safe. The emotional beats arrive late enough that some find them unearned.

The Expanse2015

Space-based sci-fi with grounded politics, excellent ensemble cast, and stakes that escalate naturally. Both films and show have that balance of adventure and character. Spans seasons, so real story development.

But Slow burn. Early episodes are exposition-heavy. Cancelled and resurrected, so viewing experience is fragmented.

Oblivion2013

Gorgeous, meditative sci-fi with Tom Cruise exploring a post-human Earth. Visually stunning in ways that feel earned. A more introspective take on space and isolation, but with action and real pathos.

But Cerebral where Beyond is breezy. The plot twist divides audiences. Some find it glacial after the opening promise.

Stargate1994

Proto-blockbuster adventure that inspired a long-running TV franchise. Earnest, fun, and unapologetic about its pulp roots. A good companion to Beyond's no-apologies approach to spectacle.

But Effects and production design have dated noticeably. The story is slight even by adventure standards.

For All Mankind2019

Both celebrate the exploratory impulse and the crew that makes it possible. But where Beyond is a adventure romp, For All Mankind is a generation-spanning meditation on what drives us outward and what it costs.

Alternate-history sci-fi exploring the space race as it might have been. Ensemble cast, real historical texture, genuine wonder at space exploration. Serialised storytelling with the same infectious optimism about humanity's potential that animates Beyond.

But Slow. The alternate history becomes increasingly elaborate and sometimes feels indulgent. Several seasons to commit to.