Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Kernel Score: 83% · 9,526 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Released: 2013-05-05
Runtime: 132 minutes
Is Star Trek Into Darkness worth watching?
Worth watching. A fast, polished and noisy sci-fi action film with a strong villain and good chemistry between Kirk and Spock. It is lighter on exploration than classic Star Trek, and its plot echoes an older film.
Watch it if you
- enjoy big space adventure
- liked the 2009 reboot
- want something fast and fun
Skip it if you
- want thoughtful, slow Star Trek
- dislike films that borrow from earlier stories
Best for: Popcorn night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Star Trek Into Darkness
- Stream: Paramount+
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Pluto TV
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.
Star Trek Into Darkness parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Star Trek Into Darkness is a sci-fi action film with space battles and terrorist bombing violence.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Rated PG-13, featuring a terrorist bombing, space battles, and a manhunt for a weapon of mass destruction.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Star Trek Into Darkness
If you liked Star Trek Into Darkness, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Star Trek (2009) — 83%: The first film in the rebooted crew's story
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) — 87%: A darker, grittier Star Wars adventure
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) — 90%: Funny, colourful space adventure
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) — 83%: Fast, nostalgic space adventure
- Edge of Tomorrow (2014) — 91%: Fast, inventive sci-fi action
- Serenity (2005) — 84%: Crew-driven space adventure
Director
Cast
- Chris Pine as Captain James T. Kirk
- Zachary Quinto as Commander Spock
- Zoe Saldaña as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura
- Benedict Cumberbatch as John Harrison / Khan
- Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
- Simon Pegg as Lieutenant Commander Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott
- Bruce Greenwood as Admiral Christopher Pike
- Peter Weller as Admiral Alexander Marcus
- Alice Eve as Dr. Carol Marcus
- Anton Yelchin as Ensign Pavel Chekov
Star Trek Into Darkness FAQ
Is Star Trek Into Darkness worth watching?
Worth watching. A fast, polished and noisy sci-fi action film with a strong villain and good chemistry between Kirk and Spock. It is lighter on exploration than classic Star Trek, and its plot echoes an older film.
Where can I watch Star Trek Into Darkness?
In the US you can stream Star Trek Into Darkness on Paramount+, watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Pluto TV and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Star Trek Into Darkness OK for kids?
Star Trek Into Darkness is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Star Trek Into Darkness is a sci-fi action film with space battles and terrorist bombing violence.
What movies are like Star Trek Into Darkness?
If you liked Star Trek Into Darkness, try Star Trek, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.