The original Star Trek series movies and there Box Office Revenue

Introduction

In the world of science fiction, few franchises are as beloved and influential as Star Trek. Since its inception in the 1960s, Star Trek has captivated audiences with its rich characters, complex storylines, and optimistic vision of humanity's future among the stars. One of the most enduring aspects of the franchise is its series of movies, which expanded on the adventures of the original crew of the USS Enterprise.

In this blog post, I will be delving into the original Star Trek movie series, analysing each film and exploring the impact it had on the franchise as a whole both in character development and the final results of each cinematic out. From the ground-breaking "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" to the fan-favourite "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home", we will examine the themes, characters, and production history of each movie. Drawing on the information widely available online , as well as our own research and analysis, I do hope to provide a comprehensive look at this iconic series of films and their enduring legacy.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture 

Star Trek: The Motion Picture follows the crew of the USS Enterprise, led by Captain James T. Kirk, as they investigate a powerful alien entity that threatens Earth. This entity is on a collision course with earth and seems to be scanning everything in its path to earth.

Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the crew must race against time to stop the entity before it's too late and reaches earth. Along the way, the crew of the USS enterprise face various challenges, including malfunctioning systems, a bitter rivalry between Kirk and his former lover, Lieutenant Ilia, who has been replaced by a robotic duplicate, and the revelation that the entity they are pursuing may actually be a long-lost space probe from the 20th century, the NASA probe Voyager 6, that has returned to Earth with an altered and destructive mission.

With the aid of Spock's logic, Dr. McCoy's (Bones) scepticism, and Lieutenant Ilia's knowledge of the entity, the crew manages to reach the heart of the entity and discover the truth about its origins. They must then make a very difficult decision about whether to destroy the entity or try to communicate with it. The fate of Earth and the crew's own future hang in the balance as they face their ultimate mission in space.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture was realised in theatres 7th of December 1979 and as the title suggests it was the first cinematic realise in the star trek franchise.

 

Star Trek: The Motion Picture, had production budget of $35 million US Dollars, and shown in 1002 theatres world wide. In its opening week it grossed just under $12 Million US Dollars. and by the time its run in the theatres was over domestically in the US it had Grossed over $82.2 Million US Dollars, and in total grossed approximately $139 Million US Dollars. Meaning for every Dollar spent on production of the movie the studio made $3.97 or 297% profit compared to the production cost.

Star Trek II : The Wrath of Khan

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan picks up years after the events of the first movie, with Admiral James T. Kirk feeling disillusioned and unfulfilled in his desk job.

When a genetically enhanced villain, Khan Noonien Singh, seeks revenge against Kirk for marooning him on a deserted planet many years earlier, Kirk has to reunite with his old crew on the USS Enterprise to stop Khan.

As the two forces clash in a battle of wits and technology, the stakes are raised higher and higher, culminating in a dramatic finale that left audiences on the edge of their seats. Along the way, the Wrath of Khan explores themes such of revenge, sacrifice, and the limits of humanity's ambition.

he Wrath of Khan is known for its iconic villain, played brilliantly by Ricardo Montalban, as well as the strong character development of the crew of the USS Enterprise and emotional impact and tole. With its engaging action sequences and  thrilling storytelling, The Wrath of Khan is widely considered by a large portion of the trekkie community to be one of the best if not the best entries in the Star Trek franchise to date.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was realised in theatres 4th of June 1982.

Although Star Trek had a considerable following at this stage and that the first cinematic outing of star trek garnered considerable profit. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan production budget was conversably lower totalling to just about $12 Million US Dollars or just over a 1/3 of the motion pictures budget but did have a great reach as it was shown in 1621 theatres world wide.

In its opening week it grossed just over $14 Million US Dollars. and by the time its run in the theatres was over domestically in the US it had Grossed over $78.9 Million US Dollars, and in total grossed approximately $95 Million US Dollars. Meaning for every Dollar spent on production of the movie the studio made $7.92 or 692% profit compared to the production cost. Even with the limitation of budget the second outing in the cinematic world for the star trek franchise showed that there was a market for grand universal science fiction based movies.

Star Trek III : The Search for Spock

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is the third instalment in the original Star Trek film series. The movie picks up immediately after the events of the the wrath of khan, with the death of science/first officer Spock and the Enterprise crew struggling to come to terms with their loss.

However, when Kirk discovers that Spock's body was not actually destroyed, he becomes determined to bring his friend back to life. With the help of his crew, Kirk steals the USS Enterprise and embarks on a dangerous mission to a forbidden planet to retrieve Spock's body.

But the crew of the USS Enterprise find themselves in conflict with a ruthless Klingon commander who is after the same technology that could bring Spock back to life. As Kirk and his crew battle the Klingons and face various other obstacles, they must also confront the ethical implications of playing God and defying death.

The film features a strong emotional arc for Kirk, and explores the themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the lengths we will go to save those we love.

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock was realised in theatres 1st of June 1984, and was shown in 1966 theatres world wide.

Faith and support for the star trek Cinematic experience as the budget for the 3rd instalment of the film series to $18 million US Dollars, a health 50% increase to the Star Trek II :Wrath of Khan budget, but stile nothing compared to the budget of the Star Trek : The Motion Picture. 

In its opening week it grossed just over $16.6 Million US Dollars. and by the time its run in the theatres was over domestically in the US it had Grossed over $76.5 Million US Dollars, and in total grossed approximately $87 Million US Dollars. Meaning for every Dollar spent on production of the movie the studio made $4.83 or 383% profit compared to the production cost. Although there was a considerable increase in the movies budget compared to the prior instalment there was actual a decline in the box office returns of $8.8 Million US Dollars or 9.2%.   

Star Trek IV : The Voyage Home

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is the 4th instalment in the original Star Trek film series. 

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home follows the crew of the USS Enterprise as they travel back in time to the year 1986 on a mission to save Earth from an alien probe that is draining the planet's oceans.

To accomplish this, Captain Kirk and the USS Enterprise crew must retrieve a pair of humpback whales from the past, which are the only creatures that can communicate with the alien probe and save Earth.

The crew must navigate the unfamiliar territory of late 20th century San Francisco, as they seek out the whales and try to avoid altering history. Along the way, they encounter various comedic situations and noticeable cultural differences, as they try and somewhat succeed in blend in with the locals San Franciscans.

As they race against time to return to the future and save Earth, the crew also grapples with ethical dilemmas such as the use of time travel and the impact of human actions on the environment.

With its engaging plot, memorable humour, and strong performances from the cast, The Voyage Home is a beloved and entertaining addition to the Star Trek franchise.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home was realised in theatres 26th of November 1986and was shown in 1956 theatres world wide.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home so a further substantiation rise in it production budget from $18 million US Dollars for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock to $24 Million Dollars representing a 33% increase in budget.

In its opening week it grossed just over $16.8 Million US Dollars. and by the time its run in the theatres was over domestically in the US it had Grossed over $109.7 Million US Dollars, and in total grossed approximately $133 Million US Dollars. Meaning for every Dollar spent on production of the movie the studio made $5.54 or 454% profit compared to the production cost. This was a considerable increase to the prior instalment and also made the Voyage home the second highest grossing star trek move so far.  

Star Trek V : The Final Frontier

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is the fifth instalment in the original Star Trek film series. 

The movie follows the crew of the USS Enterprise on a vital mission to rescue hostages taken by a renegade Vulcan named Sybok, who is on a quest to find the fabled planet of Sha Ka Ree, which he believes to be the gateway to the source of all life in the universe.

As they travel deeper into uncharted space, the Enterprise crew must confront their own personal demons and past traumas. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and enemies, including a group of Klingons who are also seeking Sha Ka Ree for their own purposes.

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier explores themes of faith, redemption, and the human desire to seek out answers to life's biggest questions. With its engaging plot, complex characters, and stunning visual effects, The Final Frontier is a thought-provoking and emotional entry in the Star Trek franchise

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier was realised in theatres 9th of June 1989and was shown in 2,202 theatres world wide.

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier so a further production budget increase to $30 Million US Dollars, which represents a 33% increase to the prior instalment. 

In its opening week it grossed just over $17.375 Million US Dollars. and by the time its run in the theatres was over domestically in the US it had Grossed over $52.2 Million US Dollars, and in total grossed approximately $70.2 Million US Dollars. Meaning for every Dollar spent on production of the movie the studio made $2.34 or 134% profit compared to the production cost. This is a considerable decline in the box office revenue to the prior instalment, and places Star Trek V : The final Frontier as the having the lowest box office earning of the original series movies.   

Star Trek VI : The Undiscovered country

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country is the sixth and final instalment in the original Star Trek film series.

The movie takes place after the events of the previous film, with the Klingon Empire on the verge of collapse and seeking peace with the United Federation of Planets.

The Crew of the USS Enterprise are sent on a diplomatic mission to negotiate a peace treaty with the Klingons, but a series of unforeseen events, including the assassination of a Klingon chancellor and the framing of the Enterprise crew for the crime, threaten to derail the peace process.

As Kirk and his team race against time to clear their names and prevent a war, they must also confront their own prejudices and biases towards the Klingons, who they have long viewed as enemies.

The film explores themes of diplomacy, reconciliation, and the power of cultural exchange. With its complex plot, well-developed characters, and stunning special effects, The Undiscovered Country is a fitting and satisfying conclusion to the original Star Trek series.

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country was realised in theatres 6th of December 1991 and was shown in 2,147 theatres world wide.

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country was the first star trek cinematic production to see a budget cut since the first instalment. The production budget for the final of the original series movies was $27 Million Dollars 10% below the prior instalments budget.

In its opening week it grossed just over $18.16 Million US Dollars. and by the time its run in the theatres was over domestically in the US it had Grossed over $74.89 Million US Dollars, and in total grossed approximately $96.9 Million US Dollars. Meaning for every Dollar spent on production of the movie the studio made $3.58 or 258% profit compared to the production cost. Even with a more constringed budget the final Cinematic instalment of the original Star Trek series so a substantial recovery in box office revenue.   

Total box office revenue from the original series movies

Between December 1979 and the December 1991, there where a total of 6 cinematic instalments of the star trek original series. Over this time a total of $146 Million US Dollars was spent on production and a total of $621.9 Million US Dollars in office office revenue was generated. which means that over the duration of the movies for every $1 spent the movies generated $4.26 or 326% profit compared to the production cost. With the highest grossing movie being the first instalment Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and the lowest grossing movies being Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.   

Despite the varying production budgets, the Star Trek franchise has continued to be successful, with each movie bringing something new to the table. The franchise's devoted fanbase has helped keep it going strong for several decades.

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