Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

An aging admiral faces his greatest challenge yet as an old enemy resurfaces, threatening everything he holds dear.

Critics broadly regard the film as a brisk, character-driven space adventure that restored Star Trek's original spirit through strong relationships, an effective antagonist, and emotional stakes.

• Khan's campaign against Kirk is driven by their prior history and his desire for personal destruction rather than abstract conquest alone.
• Project Genesis motivates the pursuit and confrontation between Kirk's crew and Khan while also raising questions about creation and destruction.
• Kirk's midlife crisis, the crew's life-and-death mission, and the film's emphasis on sacrifice make mortality central to the drama.
• The Enterprise and Khan's vessel engage in strategic battles that evoke submarine and naval combat through tracking, concealment, and positional advantage.

• Star Trek Beyondshared space opera scale, starship combat, ethical stakes, and charismatic science fiction antagonism
• Star Trek III: The Search for Spockshared science fiction adventure, ensemble camaraderie, revenge-driven conflict, and high-stakes spacecraft action
• The Empire Strikes Backshared space opera adventure, militarized futuristic setting, personal sacrifice, and emotionally resonant character relationships

Director

Nicholas Meyer

Release Date

1982-06-04

Runtime

113 min

Rating

7.5 / 10 (2254)

What is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan about?

Admiral Kirk confronts his exiled nemesis Khan in a tense starship duel shaped by revenge, aging, creation, and sacrifice.

What is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan as moderate.

What did critics think of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan?

Critics broadly regard the film as a brisk, character-driven space adventure that restored Star Trek's original spirit through strong relationships, an effective antagonist, and emotional stakes.

Which films are like Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan?

Films with a similar feel include Star Trek Beyond, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and The Empire Strikes Back.

How long is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan?

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan runs 113 minutes.

Where can I watch Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan?

In United States, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Kanopy, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.