Verdict:Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is a confirmed HIT based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 7.2/10, it has delivered a compelling experience for fans of the Science Fiction, Adventure genre.
Answer: Yes, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Science Fiction movies.
It features a runtime of 118 minutes and offers a solid storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1986, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home emerges as a significant entry in the Science Fiction, Adventure domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of 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. Unlike standard genre fare, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a refreshing take on its central themes.
The success of any Science Fiction is often anchored by its ensemble, and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home features a noteworthy lineup led by William Shatner . Supported by the likes of Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
In summary, our editorial assessment of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.2/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Quick Plot Summary: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is a Science Fiction, Adventure film that explores futuristic concepts and technological possibilities while examining humanity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
The film 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.
Ending Breakdown: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to science fiction resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
The final moments of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Worth Watching If You:
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $21.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $133.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
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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Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeAnalyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.2/10, and global collection metrics, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1986 cinematic year.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is considered a hit based on audience response and box office performance. With a rating of 7.2/10, it's highly recommended for fans of Science Fiction, Adventure movies.
Yes, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is definitely worth watching! It's a must-watch hit for fans of Science Fiction, Adventure cinema.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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