Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

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2:07

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

PG

1982

1h 53m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

76 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

As Adm. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Capt. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) monitor trainees at Starfleet Academy, another vessel from the United Federation of Planets is about to try out the planet-creating Genesis Device in a seemingly deserted portion of space. In the process, two of Kirk's officers are captured by Khan (Ricardo Montalban), an enemy Kirk thought he'd never see again. Once more, Kirk takes the Enterprise's helm, where he meets Khan's ship in an intergalactic showdown.

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Critics Consensus

Considered by many fans to be the best of the Star Trek movies, The Wrath of Khan features a strong plot, increased tension, and a sharp supporting performance from Ricardo Montalban.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Sep 19, 2023

Using the contrast between Ricardo Montalban’s fiery Khan and William Shatner’s pasty Captain Kirk as the psychological center, [director Nicholas Meyer] keeps the movie whipping from one incident to another.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Sep 1, 2022

4/5

Entertaining and charming in its innocent idealism.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Jun 17, 2022

4/5

The emotive finale... smartly restates the film’s themes of ageing and mortality, and provides cinema history with the unforgettable, tear-jerking line: “I have been, and always shall be, your friend.”

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Don Shanahan

Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast

Dec 7, 2025

A perfect extension of its television roots and a sequel with visceral stakes.

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

Jul 6, 2025

4/4

This is the film that set the tone for such attempts and while it was the only one of the original films to draw on such history, it did so beautifully, providing a roadmap for how future such reverential call backs could be handled.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Sep 5, 2023

3.5/4

The Wrath of Khan does something that movies based on television shows have tried to do, but have often failed to accomplish: the film elevates the material from TV to film with appropriate gravitas.

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WsDonofPops

Sep 19, 2026

Even better warching this as an adult with full understanding of the script. Made me feel like my late Father was sitting in the theater watching it with me.

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Bryan L

Sep 12, 2026

Seeing this with my Dad was a highlight for the year.

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Paul

Sep 9, 2026

Refreshed good memories

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Robert D

Sep 9, 2026

I’m a long time trek fan, I was 10 years old when the original series aired, I was hooked ever since, not a fan of the current incarnation, combining the Space Seed episode with the Wrath of Khan was Awesome. If you’re a Star Ttek fan, you can’t miss this.

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AboveAverageJoe

Sep 9, 2026

Finally got to see one of the best trek movies on the big screen!

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Richard A G

Sep 9, 2026

Beautiful 4K restoration, plus having the extra scenes that weren’t in the original theatrical release, only enhanced the viewing. This is a must see on the big screen!

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Nicholas Meyer

Director

William Shatner

Admiral James T. Kirk

Leonard Nimoy

Captain Spock

Ricardo Montalban

Khan Noonien Singh

DeForest Kelley

Commander Leonard H. McCoy, M.D.

James Doohan

Commander Montgomery Scott

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Synopsis

As Adm. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Capt. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) monitor trainees at Starfleet Academy, another vessel from the United Federation of Planets is about to try out the planet-creating Genesis Device in a seemingly deserted portion of space. In the process, two of Kirk's officers are captured by Khan (Ricardo Montalban), an enemy Kirk thought he'd never see again. Once more, Kirk takes the Enterprise's helm, where he meets Khan's ship in an intergalactic showdown.

Director: Nicholas Meyer
Producer: Robert Sallin
Screenwriter: Harve Bennett, Jack Sowards, Jack Sowards
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 4, 1982, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 26, 2013
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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