Star Trek: First Contact
"Resistance is futile."
Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-E chase the Borg as they threaten Earth, risking a shift in Federation history. They leap back to an earlier era in order to stop the assimilation campaign from altering humanity and the future of Starfleet. The mission tests a seasoned captain, a... Read more
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About Star Trek: First Contact
Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-E chase the Borg as they threaten Earth, risking a shift in Federation history. They leap back to an earlier era in order to stop the assimilation campaign from altering humanity and the future of Starfleet. The mission tests a seasoned captain, a loyal crew, and a lot of luck as they adapt to a different world, using clever tactics and teamwork to outmaneuver a nearly unstoppable foe. The film blends brisk action with character driven moments, balancing high stakes with the interpersonal bonds that define the Enterprise crew. The result is a wide screen thrill ride that respects the series while expanding its scope.
Directed by Jonathan Frakes, this Star Trek feature widens the Next Generation arc while staying true to the show's tone. It relies on the familiar Enterprise crew and the franchise's steady production team led by Rick Berman.
Worldwide box office reached $146,027,888 against a $46 million budget, marking a solid commercial success for the franchise. The film helped propel Star Trek into mainstream summer blockbusters while maintaining a loyal fan base.
The Borg as villains became a defining element of Star Trek mythology and entered broader pop culture with memorable imagery and lines such as "Resistance is futile." The Enterprise-E design and the clash between assimilation and autonomy left a lasting impression on sci fi cinema.
Critics generally praised the film for its brisk pacing, strong performances, and high stakes drama. It blends action with character growth, examining leadership under pressure and the moral cost of war against a relentlessly adaptive foe, securing its place in Star Trek history.
What Viewers Are Saying
Fans point to the Borg as the main draw, with a tense chase through a 2063 time jump that gives the hive mind real menace. They also praise it for feeling more like a real movie than a two part episode, and for Data getting some standout moments along with James Cromwell's Zefram Cochrane. But a chunk of viewers push back on the time travel angle, saying it raises questions about why the Borg would miss using it before and makes the plot feel heavy handed or overly moralizing.
Details
- Release Date
- November 22, 1996
- Runtime
- 1h 51m
- Rating
- PG-13
- User Ratings
- 1,910 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Science Fiction, Action, Adventure, Thriller
- Country
- United States
- Collection
- Star Trek: The Next Generation Collection
- Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- Budget
- $46,000,000
- Box Office
- $146,027,888
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Patrick Stewart
Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes
Commander William T. Riker
Brent Spiner
Lieutenant Commander Data
LeVar Burton
Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn
Lieutenant Commander Worf
Gates McFadden
Commander Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis
Counselor Deanna Troi
James Cromwell
Dr. Zefram Cochrane
Alfre Woodard
Lily Sloane
Alice Krige
Borg Queen
Director: Jonathan Frakes
Written by: Brannon Braga, Ronald D. Moore, Rick Berman