Is Into Darkness the Second Star Trek Movie?

There has been confusion among Star Trek fans about whether Into Darkness is the second movie of the franchise. Let’s clear this up once and for all.

Firstly, let’s define what we mean by “second movie”. If we’re talking about the second film in the reboot series, then yes, Into Darkness is indeed the second movie. The first was simply titled Star Trek (2009), which introduced us to a younger version of the original crew and an alternate timeline.

However, if we’re referring to the overall franchise and not just the reboot series, then Into Darkness is actually the twelfth movie. Yes, you read that right – twelfth! The first Star Trek movie was released back in 1979 and starred the original cast from the TV series.

The Confusion

So why do some people think that Into Darkness is only the second movie? One reason could be that it’s a continuation of the reboot series, which started with Star Trek (2009). Another reason could be that some fans are only familiar with the recent movies and not the entire franchise history.

The Timeline

To clarify things further, let’s take a look at the timeline of all twelve movies:

  • Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
  • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
  • Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
  • Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
  • Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
  • Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
  • Star Trek Generations (1994)
  • Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
  • Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
  • Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
  • Star Trek (2009)
  • Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

As you can see, Into Darkness is indeed the twelfth movie in the franchise.

The Conclusion

So, to wrap things up – if you’re talking about the second movie in the reboot series, then yes, Into Darkness is the one. However, if you’re referring to the entire Star Trek franchise, then it’s actually the twelfth movie. Hopefully, this clears up any confusion and helps you appreciate the rich history of this beloved sci-fi series.