After “The Motionless Picture,” the then burgeoning Star Trek franchise needed a slam dunk, and they got it in Wrath of Khan. More than that though, Khan is a high that Trek films have been chasing for the last 30 years, which is why those persistent rumours that Benedict Cumberbatch is playing Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness refuse to die. But back in 1982, Khan, as portrayed by Ricardo Montalban, was a one off character who appeared in the 1966 episode of the Original Series called “Space Seed.” Producer Harve Bennett, who was hired to replace Gene Roddenberry as the film’s shepherd, watched all 79 episodes of the series and decided to build the sequel around the standout Khan. In addition, he recalled the series’ swashbuckling adventure side, and found compelling literary inspiration in works like Moby Dick and A Tale of Two Cities. By the time we get to Mr. Spock’s touching act of self-sacrifice, you’ve been put through an emotional roller coaster thanks to the film’s combination of big action, tense drama, and even a few moments of levity. Revenge may be a dish best served cold (old Klingon proverb), but Wrath of Khan is still hot more than three decades later.
So there you have it, our favorite Star Trek films. Let us know what you think of our rankings in the comments below! And we hope you enjoy Star Trek Into Darkness.