Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 10, 2026
Movie Overview: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
| Movie | Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home |
| Release Year | 1986 |
| Director | Leonard Nimoy |
| Genre | Science Fiction / Adventure |
| Runtime | 118 minutes |
| Language | EN |
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?
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 / Region | Collection (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.
Top Cast: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
All Cast & Crew →































Where to Watch Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTubeStar Trek IV: The Voyage Home Parents Guide & Age Rating
1986 AdvisoryWondering about Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ 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.
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.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
How Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
I guess when I was 6 i liked it, and every generation needs it's time travel movie doesn't it? But, no, bringing them back to contemporary 80s earth just doesn't work. It's sort of too close to home to be good. Star Trek is Sci-Fi, sure, but this just doesn't work. They live in a future that COULD be, with it's own history, it's own mythology, and taking the crew of the Enterprise back to our world just makes them feel more out of place than the comedic tone of the film intended.
Probably my favourite of these sci-fi adventures. Having revived "Spock" to something akin to his previous, pompous old self; the crew of the now destroyed "Enterprise" set sail for home in their captured Klingon Warbird. Meantime, unbeknown to them, a probe is wreaking havoc on the galaxy as it emits odd pinging sounds on it's way to Earth. Our explorers approach the planet to discover that the probe has polarised the atmosphere and even the sophisticated Starfleet Command has no idea what's going on... Well, it turns out that the probe is pretty fluent in humpback whale-song but we have long since hunted them into extinction. What's required now is some legerdemain and a bit of time travel to go get some from back in 20th century California. What follows is a fun series of escapades as they set about their tasks - and all of the crew have their own roles to play. It touches on the ecology issues in a humorous but pointed manner and all round delivers an enjoyable 2 hours of entertainment.
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.
Useful Links
More with William Shatner
View full filmographyPart of the Star Trek: The Original Series Collection
Explore the full watch order, ratings, and collection details.
View Full Franchise








