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Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Play trailer 1:06 Poster for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock PG 1984 1h 45m Sci-Fi Action Adventure Drama Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
78% Tomatometer 51 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Adm. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) has defeated his archenemy but at great cost. His friend Spock has apparently been killed, the USS Enterprise is being scrapped, and starship physician Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley) has taken ill. McCoy's odd behavior is evidence he's harboring Spock's katra, or animating spirit, and Kirk seeks to take the Enterprise back to the Genesis Planet and find his friend. Rebuffed, Kirk takes dramatic action that results in war with deadly Klingons.
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Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

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Critics Consensus

Though it may be short on dazzling special effects, The Search for Spock is still a strong Star Trek installment, thanks to affecting performances by its iconic cast.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Bradshaw Guardian 06/14/2024
4/5
You will have to disregard the fact that Kirk and a handful of intimates manage to pilot the Enterprise on their own. But this episode is written and performed with muscular vigour and attack, and there are some nice moments. Go to Full Review
Jay Carr Boston Globe 04/26/2018
This "Star Trek," the liveliest and most likable of the three, will satisfy hard-core Trekkies and win more than a few new recruits to their ranks. Go to Full Review
Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times 09/07/2016
"Star Trek III" has a genuine spirituality, and, at its end, you may be surprised, especially if you're not really a Trekkie, to realize how moved you've been. Go to Full Review
Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight 07/06/2025
3/4
The central villain of the film is under baked though delightfully portrayed by Christopher Lloyd. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 09/05/2023
3/4
Flaws aside, The Search for Spock is pleasant, character-driven entertainment. Go to Full Review
Kevin Carr Fat Guys at the Movies 06/16/2023
3/4
Not as iconic as The Wrath of Khan, this is still one of the better original Trek film, which stays close to the series original purpose. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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diogo13 T @Tua_mera 4d Por favor, será que é pedir demais que alguém além do Kirk realmente faça alguma coisa nesses filmes? Quando o retorno do Spock é decepcionante, é sinal de que vocês têm muito trabalho pela frente. See more Melissa M @Lisey 5d Leonard nimoy is the director on this film. Once again the most awesomest Star Trek cast is back. But this time you'll need a box of tissues to go with your box of popcorn . Specially Midway through the movie. There are heartwarming scenes in the film. And bittersweet moments. This 3rd installment in the series is one of the best. A new actress is playing lieutenant Saavik Robin Curtis. Kirk has a new diabolical Nemesis in this film Kruge. Interesting movie fact Leonard nimoy helped to collaborate with industrial light and magic to develop storyboards & new ship designs. Another interesting movie fact Leonard nimoy was the 1st Star Trek cast members to direct One of the Star Trek movies. This is definitely one of the best science fiction movies of all time. See more Phil D @RT16493517 Jun 26 This film is prefect to follow on from the wraith of khan. Emotional and action packed. Must have seen it fifty times. See more Priya C. @Sci-FiTrekkie May 18 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is a film I loved. It does serve as a continuation film rather than a standalone sequel but I loved the way they handled the story. The villains in the story however were underutilized and I wish there was more backstory for them. See more Cem Okan Y @cmyldz23 May 5 For me it was an unconvincing attempt to bring Spock back to life. However, I do understand why this is treated as one of the good Star Trek movies out there. See more Matthew H @RT46734446 Mar 18 The second of the three great trek movies. This time with a perfect rendition of the doc from back to the future as the evil villain in the story. The stealing of the Enterprise is by far one of the greatest scenes in all the trek movies. And the crews encounter with Kruge is brilliant. Photons launched at each other. Although the battle is very short it is brilliant with perfect music leading to his appearance in the klingon ship. Then the fall of the Enterprise makes the three points work brilliantly to make this movie perfect. Stealing the Enterprise, battle scene and the fall of the Enterprise. A perfect group of major moments in the movie. I can't really say how many times I've watched this movie, but since I was around 8 it's probably in the region of 50 times at least. And my VHS tape never failed until I decided to buy it on dvd and then stream it later in life. A very much recommended movie. You never get bored! See more Read all reviews
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

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Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Movieclips: Star Trek - Spock's Best Scenes Movieclips: Star Trek - Spock's Best Scenes 25:54 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - A Damn Illegal Thing Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - A Damn Illegal Thing 2:14 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - I'll Kill You Later Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - I'll Kill You Later 2:11 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - Ever Shall Be Your Friend Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - Ever Shall Be Your Friend 2:13 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - Be Careful What You Wish For Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - Be Careful What You Wish For 2:14 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip- A Klingon Bird of Prey Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip- A Klingon Bird of Prey 2:13 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - Don't Call Me Tiny Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - Don't Call Me Tiny 1:52 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - The Enterprise Self Destructs Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - The Enterprise Self Destructs 2:13 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - I Have Had Enough of You Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - I Have Had Enough of You 2:13 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Adm. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) has defeated his archenemy but at great cost. His friend Spock has apparently been killed, the USS Enterprise is being scrapped, and starship physician Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley) has taken ill. McCoy's odd behavior is evidence he's harboring Spock's katra, or animating spirit, and Kirk seeks to take the Enterprise back to the Genesis Planet and find his friend. Rebuffed, Kirk takes dramatic action that results in war with deadly Klingons.
Director
Leonard Nimoy
Producer
Harve Bennett
Screenwriter
Harve Bennett
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures, Cinema Group Ventures
Rating
PG
Genre
Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, Drama, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 1, 1984, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 16, 2009
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)