Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

A dying planet. A fight for life. The search for Spock.

A surprise visit from Spock's father provides a startling revelation: McCoy is harboring Spock's living essence.

Quick Stats
6.6
TMDB Rating
1,584
Votes
1h 45m
Runtime
$18.0M
Budget
$87.0M
Box Office
483%
Return
Key Crew
DirectorLeonard Nimoy
WriterHarve Bennett
CinematographyCharles Correll
ComposerJames Horner
EditorRobert F. Shugrue
Production DesignJohn E. Chilberg II
Produced by
Paramount Pictures

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Critics & Reviews

5 featured
John Chard
7/10

You Klingon bastards! Kirk gets personal. It is what it is folks, it's a good honest Star Trek story, it beats a real emotive heart and although some may decry the lack of blistering space battles, or end of the universe peril scenarios, it's an essential film for dealing with the protagonists we know and love. Into the mix here we have our favourite alien enemies The Klingons (led by the oddly cast Christopher Lloyd), Spock's father, Sarek, who adds grace to the story, and crucially Kirk gets an emotional kicker. While elsewhere hardcore fans get a big surprise with the beloved Enterprise. It's of course merely a set up for the next (and delightfully great) instalment of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, but on its own terms this stands up as one of the better character pieces in the series. Due in no small part to having Leonard Nimoy directing it because he shows care and thought about a subject he obviously knows quite a bit about. 7/10

Written May 9, 2015 · read original
GenerationofSwine
7/10

I kind of feel that this gets a lot more hate than it deserves... because it follows Kahn and because it rewrites an emotional death. I know, I know, I love Spock too, but, really, should have left him dead. That was part of the emotional roller coaster of II. But, they didn't and that does sort of cheapen Kahn a bit. However, it's really not a bad entry on it's own. It's a solid film. It just followed the greatest of the bunch and pales in comparison.

Written Jan 10, 2023 · read original
CinemaSerf
6/10

Picking up closely from the second film, this sees our crew of adventurers defy their superiors and steal the Enterprise in an attempt to rescue "Spock" from the Genesis planet. This is probably the best of the films for both DeForest Kelley and James Doohan as they both have some more of the play than normal; Christopher Lloyd is on fine form as the Klingon commander "Kruge" and there is plenty of phaser action to keep us all entertained. Not quite as well put together as the "Wrath of Khan" but it continues to develop the characters in an entertaining fashion.

Written Jun 8, 2023 · read original
hopefulreviews

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is the nostalgia movie we wanted!! Unlike Star Trek: The Motion Picture, which focused too heavily on nostalgia and not on the plot. While this movie did have some plot holes and everyone was wearing their 80's best instead of futuristic costumes!! This movie gave us the feeling to watch it again!! Between dialogue and the acting, you might feel that way too!! It was also interesting to see Christopher Lloyd in Star Trek!! If you want to hear the in-depth review and rating of this movie, come and check out Hopeful Reviews! A podcast that-surprise-reviews and rates TV shows and movies!! 9.1/10 #blessed.

Written Mar 18, 2024 · read original
DavidPlumm

I think Star Trek III The Search for Spock is one of the best Star Trek films. The story centers on a rescue mission in which our heroes take their starship to a dangerous planet to save Mr. Spock. Captain Kirk leads them into action once again. I think this time I was more invested in what was happening because (frankly) I was eager for Spock to return and I enjoyed a lot of the character moments that each crew member was given. I particularly liked how McCoy had to deal with a split personality because he had Mr. Spocks soul (katra) in his head. Kirk is intense and driven to get the job done as always but he has to face some serious consequences for his actions too. As the story progresses we are introduced to a Klingon villain, an impressive space headquarters for Starfleet, and a spiritual ceremony on Vulcan that tries to resurrect Spock. One really stand out moment is the scene scene where they actually destroy the Enterprise in a big way (it is really impressive and they even put it in the movie trailers to get everyone to say "What the F? They blow up the ship?") and it worked to show how high the stakes were. Critics will say this is a slower paced adventure than Wrath of Khan, but that isn't a bad thing. This movie more than the others seems to have the warmth and commradarie of the series it is based on. In the end, as much as Star Trek is about exploration, it would all be for nothing without friends.

Written Jun 10, 2026 · read original

Cast

William Shatner
William Shatner
Admiral James T. Kirk
DeForest Kelley
DeForest Kelley
Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
James Doohan
James Doohan
Captain Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott
George Takei
George Takei
Cmdr. Hikaru Sulu
Walter Koenig
Walter Koenig
Cmdr. Pavel Chekov
Nichelle Nichols
Nichelle Nichols
Cmdr. Uhura
Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Lloyd
Cmdr. Kruge
Robin Curtis
Robin Curtis
Lt. Saavik
Mark Lenard
Mark Lenard
Ambassador Sarek
Merritt Butrick
Merritt Butrick
Dr. David Marcus
Judith Anderson
Judith Anderson
Vulcan High Priestess
James B. Sikking
James B. Sikking
Captain Styles
Phillip R. Allen
Phillip R. Allen
Capt. Esteban
Robert Hooks
Robert Hooks
Admiral Morrow
John Larroquette
John Larroquette
Maltz

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