While the Star Trek franchise has preferred diplomacy over battles, like any other sci-fi IP, they too have included some incredible CGI sequences. From the original series era to Starfleet Academy, the visual effects have undergone many stylistic changes, though the designs of the ships remain iconic.
Star Trek is rarely action-heavy, preferring to resolve conflict through dialogue and diplomacy rather than battle. But there have been instances, like the Dominion War or the Enterprise’s battle with the Gorn, where extensive CGI has been used. Here are ten CGI sequences from Star Trek that prove that they are no less than other sci-fi shows/movies. The sequences are ranked based on their intensity.
10. The Protostar Drive – Star Trek: Prodigy
USS Protostar in Star Trek: Prodigy | Credits: Paramount Pictures
The USS Protostar was not a successful Starfleet ship, but its awakening in the animated series Star Trek: Prodigy is an incredibly well-done sequence. Of course, because it is an animation, there is no other choice but to go for CGI, but it is the way the ship’s ascent is visualized that makes it mesmerizing.
In the pilot episode, ‘Lost and Found’, Dal R’El accidentally starts the Protostar, and his crew is guided by a hologram version of Kathryn Janeway. The CGI shows an unstable warp drive, unlike anything we have seen before in Star Trek. If only such an incredible sequence had better emotional stakes to complement it, it would have ranked higher.
9. Texas Ships vs Starfleet – Star Trek: Lower Decks
Texas-class ships in Star Trek: Lower Decks | Credits: Paramount Pictures
Another animated sequence with an incredible CGI battle scene. In the season 3 finale of Lower Decks, Admiral Buenamigo replaces California-class ships with his fully automated Texas-class ships, claiming that they were as good as fully human crew-filled ships. However, the Texas ships begin to attack Starfleet ships, including Cerritos.
The battle scene is incredible, with the Texas ships appearing as predators in space, consuming their own. While the comedic tone of the animated show sometimes cuts the intensity (and is thus the reason for its low ranking), it is nonetheless an incredible sequence. Also, Lower Decks is an amazing show that needs to be talked about more.
8. Plasma Fields in Briar Patch – Star Trek: Insurrection
The Briar Patch in Star Trek: Insurrection | Credits: Paramount Pictures
Jonathan Frakes’ follow-up to one of the best Star Trek films, Star Trek: First Contact, was not as well-received, but it did have some great moments. In Insurrection, Data observes the Ba’ku people and their peaceful practices. When Picard realizes that Admiral Dougherty is trying to forcibly relocate the Ba’ku, he rebels and escapes through the Briar Patch.
Unlike other entries in the list, the journey through the plasma fields of the Briar Patch is not a fierce battle but a tense situation. There is radiation all around, and one wrong move would result in total annihilation, while enemy ships are behind them.
The sequence is beautiful, well as beautiful as a radiation field can be. The only issue is the stakes, as it is not a huge battle sequence or anything. Still, it is an impressive CGI sequence.
7. Genesis Wave – Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan
The Genesis Wave in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan | Credits: Paramount Pictures
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is still considered the best movie in the franchise. It shows Khan Noonien Singh, played by Ricardo Montalbán, after initially appearing in TOS. Starfleet has devised a new technology called the Genesis Device, which is designed to reorganize dead matter into habitable worlds. Khan, who finds it aboard the USS Reliant, wants to use it.
The sequence where Khan turns on the Genesis machine (while quoting Captain Ahab) is one of the most intense scenes in the Star Trek franchise. As the machine operates in the Mutara Nebula (which renders the starships’ warp drive useless), Spock sacrifices himself to fix the warp drive and save the Enterprise.
The CGI sequence of the nebula itself is breathtaking. Reminder that this film was made in 1982. With purples and blues in the sky, plus two USS ships fighting for their lives, the sequence is simply incredible in terms of VFX. Especially for the time.
6. Enterprise vs Scimitar – Star Trek: Nemesis
Enterprise meets the Scimitar | Credits: Paramount Pictures
Star Trek: Nemesis may be one of the weakest movies in the franchise, but it did have some redeeming factors. The battle between Shinzon’s ship Scimitar and the Enterprise in the Bassen Rift is a dangerously raw conflict that sees Picard at one of his most ruthless, which is surprising because he is usually diplomatic.
The battle itself is incredible, showing two rival battleships going at it without any remorse. Bridges shake, hulls break, and there is plenty of damage on both ends. It is one of the franchise’s better action sequences. If only the movie were better.
5. Borg Assimilating Starfleet – Star Trek: Picard
Enterprise vs the Borg in Star Trek: Picard | Credits: Paramount+
The Borg are one of the most dangerous villains in the Star Trek franchise. Introduced in TNG, it was only fitting that the series finale of Picard had a final battle between the Borg and the Enterprise-D crew. In the season 3 finale, ‘The Last Generation’, the Borg assimilate all of Starfleet into the collective and take over.
It is a harrowing and horrifying sequence when the assimilated Starfleet is in formation. For decades, we have seen some of the best officers and ships stand tall against antagonists, only for a hive mind alien race to bring them to their knees. It may not be a huge battle, but seeing the ships in such a horrifying way makes it a great CGI sequence.
4. Discovery vs Control – Star Trek: Discovery
Discovery and Control fight in Star Trek: Discovery | Credits: Paramount+
While the franchise had seen several battles before, none had received the blockbuster treatment like Star Trek: Discovery‘s battle with Control. The AI, Control, is hellbent on taking ancient Sphere data from the Discovery, and Captain Burnham, pushed to the brink, decides to fight Control and head to the future.
The battle is intense, and there are plenty of torpedoes flying around. Christopher Pike’s Enterprise also joins in and helps Discovery save itself from total annihilation. It is incredibly well-treated, with TV action going to whole new levels of intensity.
3. Borg Attack Earth – Star Trek: First Contact
Borg Attack in Star Trek: First Contact | Credits: Paramount Pictures
As great as some VFX and CGI sequences are, nothing beats the practical effects of the TOS and TNG eras. In First Contact, Picard joins the battle against the Borg, who have launched a direct assault on Earth. Admiral Hayes had specifically forbidden Picard from joining, due to his history with the Borg and his assimilation.
The battle is intense and furious. The Borg are relentless, and Starfleet tries very hard to defend itself. The blend of practical effects and CGI is impressive, especially the ships’ battle. It is truly up there among some of the best battle sequences ever put on screen.
2. Enterprise Destroyed – Star Trek Beyond
Enterprise Destroyed in Star Trek Beyond | Credits: Paramount Pictures
Say what you will about J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek movies, they really did have some incredible action setpieces. Even in possibly the worst film of the franchise (and still the last theatrical film of the franchise), Star Trek Beyond, the Enterprise, headed by Kirk, is lured into a mysterious nebula by Krall and his associates, who immediately begin to attack the ship.
There is heavy destruction on the Enterprise, with its saucer being the final and most devastating victim, causing the ship to crash land. The CGI is amazing, which it has to be as it had a budget of $185 million (via Box Office Mojo). What makes this sequence intense is the emotional attachment fans have towards the Enterprise and seeing it getting torn to pieces.
1. Vulcan Destroyed – Star Trek (2009)
The emotional intensity of this sequence is what puts the Vulcan destruction in Star Trek at the top of this list. Romulan captain Nero drops a black hole onto Vulcan, which annihilates the home planet of Spock right in front of his eyes. Rocks fall, debris flies everywhere, and a massive g*nocide is occurring, which is emotionally overwhelming.
J.J. Abrams’ movies have always had great CGI, and his intense camera work treats the chaos of a Starfleet battleship in just the right way. Zachary Quinto’s performance also adds so much emotion to this sequence, as Spock’s general emotionally distant expression becomes sadder as he watches his mother, Amanda, die with Vulcan.
RankSequenceShow/Movie1Vulcan DestructionStar Trek (2009)2Enterprise DestructionStar Trek Beyond3Borg’s Attack on EarthStar Trek: First Contact4Discovery vs ControlStar Trek: Discovery5Borg Assimilating StarfleetStar Trek: Picard6Enterprise vs ScimitarStar Trek: Nemesis7Genesis WaveStar Trek II: The Wrath of Khan8Plasma Fields in Briar PatchStar Trek: Insurrection9Texas Ships vs StarfleetStar Trek: Lower Decks10Protostar DriveStar Trek: Prodigy
If you have any questions about the intense CGI sequences in Star Trek, refer to the FAQs below.
1. Did Star Trek use CGI or practical effects?
The Star Trek franchise has used a blend of both CGI and practical effects, though recent shows have gravitated towards more CGI.
2. Has Star Trek been nominated for any Visual Effects Oscars?
Yes, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek (2009), and Star Trek Into Darkness were nominated for Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards.
Which CGI sequence do you think was the most intense in Star Trek? Comment below.
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