Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

  • 1986
  • PG
  • 118m
movieMx RATING
7.2
1.6K
VERDICT
HIT
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Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict

Last updated: April 10, 2026

movieMx Editorial
📅 Updated: April 10, 2026 🎟️ Verified Screening

Movie Overview: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

MovieStar Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Release Year1986
DirectorLeonard Nimoy
GenreScience Fiction / Adventure
Runtime118 minutes
LanguageEN

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Science Fiction.

🎭 Cast & Character Study

The performances in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home are led by William Shatner . The supporting cast, including Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.

💡 movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?

After analyzing the verified data, our assessment of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) is generally positive—a solid choice for fans of the genre. With a platform rating of 7.2/10, it currently stands as a HIT in our database.

What Works in the Movie

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home stands out as a strong entry in the Science Fiction genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.

  • Compelling performances from the main cast
  • Strong visual storytelling and direction
  • Well-structured Science Fiction narrative
  • Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff

What Doesn't Work

Despite its strengths, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.

  • Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
  • Some predictable plot developments
  • May not appeal to audiences outside the Science Fiction fanbase

Story & Plot Summary: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1986, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is a Science Fiction, Adventure film directed by Leonard Nimoy. The narrative explores futuristic concepts and technological possibilities while examining humanity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving William Shatner.

Story Breakdown

The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. When a huge alien probe enters the galaxy and begins to vaporize Earth's oceans, Kirk and his crew must travel back in time in order to bring back whales and save the planet. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
  • Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. William Shatner's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.

Ending Explained: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Ending Explained: Directed by Leonard Nimoy, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core science fiction themes developed throughout the film.

The conclusion reflects the central themes explored throughout the narrative, particularly in scenes involving William Shatner. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.

Key Elements of the Ending

  • Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
  • Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
  • Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the science fiction themes introduced earlier in the film.

The final moments of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.

Who Should Watch Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Science Fiction films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of William Shatner or the director
  • Want solid genre entertainment

Box Office Collection: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $21.0M
Worldwide Gross $133.0M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Budget

The estimated production budget for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is $21.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

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Where to Watch Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Online?

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Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Parents Guide & Age Rating

1986 Advisory
PG

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is rated PG. It is generally suitable for all ages.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is 118 minutes (1h 58m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.2/10, and global performance metrics, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1986 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Rating: 7.2/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home worth watching?

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Science Fiction movies. It has a verified rating of 7.2/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home?

The total duration of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is 118 minutes, which is approximately 1h 58m long.

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How Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 7.2
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
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