Star Trek's Section 31 Currently Holds the Poorest Critical Rating Among Rotten Tomatoes' Star Trek Entries
When the latest addition to the Star Trek universe, Star Trek: Section 31, debuted on Paramount+, it didn't exactly soar. Instead, it plummeted with a flop that many couldn't help but notice. Critics, as well as fans, gave it a rough ride, making it the lowest-rated Star Trek project ever on Rotten Tomatoes, both in terms of critic and audience scores.
Here's the full breakdown of both Star Trek movie and TV series ratings on Rotten Tomatoes:
Star Trek Movie Rotten Tomatoes Ratings
- Star Trek: The Motion Picture: 52% critics, 42% audience
- Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: 86% critics, 90% audience
- Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: 79% critics, 68% audience
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home: 81% critics, 81% audience
- Star Trek V: The Final Frontier: 23% critics, 25% audience
- Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country: 83% critics, 83% audience
- Star Trek: Generations: 47% critics, 57% audience
- Star Trek: First Contact: 93% critics, 89% audience
- Star Trek: Insurrection: 55% critics, 44% audience
- Star Trek: Nemesis: 38% critics, 49% audience
- Star Trek (2009): 94% critics, 91% audience
- Star Trek Into Darkness: 84% critics, 89% audience
- Star Trek Beyond: 86% critics, 80% audience
- Star Trek: Section 31: 20% critics, 17% audience
Star Trek TV Series Rotten Tomatoes Ratings
- Star Trek: 92% critics, N/A audience
- Star Trek: The Animated Series: 94% critics, 81% audience
- Star Trek: The Next Generation: 92% critics, 90% audience
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: 91% critics, 89% audience
- Star Trek: Voyager: 76% critics, 80% audience
- Star Trek: Discovery: 91% critics, 33% audience
- Star Trek: Lower Decks: 91% critics, 73% audience
- Star Trek: Picard: 89% critics, 57% audience
- Star Trek: Prodigy: 97% critics, 88% audience
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: 98% critics, 79% audience
While Rotten Tomatoes ratings should be taken with a grain of salt, it's hard to ignore Section 31's low numbers when compared to its fellow franchise entries. The film strayed far from the franchise's roots and leaned heavily on a spy thriller aesthetic, which disappointed many critiques and fans. Critics called it fragmented, underdeveloped, and missing the depth and themes that Star Trek is known for. Some even called it just an hour-and-a-half of "generic schlock."
It's tough for the Star Trek franchise to bounce back after such a significant misfire. With Star Trek movies and the future of Discovery uncertain, Star Trek: Section 31 stands as a reminder that staying true to the franchise's core values is essential for continued success.
The disappointing reception of 'Star Trek: Section 31' has led some to question the future of the franchise, as it stands as the lowest-rated project in the series on Rotten Tomatoes. In contrast, tech-savvy fans often look forward to sci-fi movies and shows discussed on io9, anticipating their take on future technology and storylines.
