---
title: "Star Trek: The Next Generation"
year: 1987
kind: "series"
canonical: "https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation"
fi1m_id: "star-trek-the-next-generation"
imdb_id: "tt0092455"
tmdb_id: 655
wikidata_id: "Q16290"
fi1m_score: 84
critics_reviews: 2
published: "2026-09-16"
review_updated: "2026-09-17"
updated: "2026-09-20T21:00:11.047239+00:00"
region: "MY"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

Created by Gene Roddenberry · 45m · Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Drama, Mystery

## Identity

Star Trek: The Next Generation

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation
- **Type:** Series
- **Fi1m ID:** star-trek-the-next-generation
- **IMDb ID:** tt0092455
- **TMDB ID:** 655
- **Wikidata ID:** Q16290
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092455/, https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/655, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16290

**Fi1m score: 84** · Critics: 2 of 6 reviews so far

*In a sentence:* A future in which people listen carefully and Patrick Stewart makes sure we do too

> Gene Roddenberry’s science-fiction series makes intelligence and decency worth watching, with Patrick Stewart giving its optimism conviction. The solemnity can be wearing, but the ensemble supplies enough warmth to make the difficult conversations matter.

## Synopsis

In the future, Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), William T. Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Data (Brent Spiner) explore new worlds. Alongside them are Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton), Worf (Michael Dorn) and Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis), with Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) part of the wider company. Their adventures raise questions about humanity, its choices and its response to the unfamiliar. Exploration brings mysteries as well as opportunities, and the series follows the characters as they try to understand what they encounter and decide how to respond.

## Review

*Star Trek: The Next Generation* is persuasive science fiction because it takes the prospect of people behaving well seriously. Gene Roddenberry’s series gives intelligence, curiosity and restraint the attention adventure stories often reserve for aggression. We recommend it warmly, with patience for the stretches when seriousness hardens into stiffness. Its optimism works best when the actors make us believe that these people might actually enjoy one another’s company.

Patrick Stewart is crucial to that belief as Jean-Luc Picard. There is firmness in his delivery, but also enough attention to the person opposite him to keep authority from becoming a continuous lecture. We found his seriousness unexpectedly reassuring: the care he gives to listening makes another person’s words feel consequential. He makes a considered response worth watching. The more solemn material needs precisely that conviction, because an actor merely announcing the importance of the words would make it unbearable.

Jonathan Frakes gives William T. Riker an ease that helps loosen the programme, while Brent Spiner makes Data’s precision funny without draining the character of feeling. The pleasure is in their different rhythms, which keep exchanges between them from becoming a procession of equally weighty statements. LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn and Gates McFadden help make the ensemble feel like company worth returning to. That familiarity matters in a series whose harder questions would be dry exercises without affection for the people considering them.

The patient visual style suits those performances. Marvin V. Rush, among the cinematographers, gives faces enough attention for a small change of expression to carry weight, though the presentation can feel over-polite. The editing, with Monty DeGraff among those credited, generally allows an exchange to develop without hurrying past its meaning. It also exposes the weaker writing: when a conversation has little beneath its stated subject, there is ample time to notice.

Dennis McCarthy and Ron Jones supply music that treats the characters’ concerns with comparable gravity. At its most effective, the scoring gives the talk warmth and scale without making it feel artificially urgent. Elsewhere, the earnestness becomes a little insistent, as though a difficult decision needed additional certification. The actors are usually doing enough already, and the quieter passages give their differences more space.

The recurring weakness is the urge to spell things out. Some dialogue sounds prepared for an audience already taking notes, and the confidence in reason can make awkward feelings seem too easily tidied away. Marina Sirtis and Gates McFadden are welcome presences, but the ensemble is more enjoyable when everyone has something particular to contribute than when the writing distributes concern around the cast. We would have welcomed more untidiness, and fewer passages in which the importance of the subject is expected to supply the drama.

Across seven seasons, there is room for both the rewarding conversations and the ones that could have been shorter. The series distinguishes itself within science fiction by trusting that understanding someone else can be an event worth building a story around. Its gentleness need not mean a shortage of dramatic pressure, though it sometimes does. Give it an evening when there is time to listen; impatience will make the weaker dialogue harder to forgive.

*Fi1m score 84, published 16 September 2026.*

## Straight answers

**Is Star Trek: The Next Generation worth watching?**

*Star Trek: The Next Generation* is worth watching for anyone who wants science fiction built around people listening rather than shooting, and we scored it 84. Patrick Stewart gives its optimism conviction, and the ensemble is company worth returning to across seven seasons. The solemnity can harden into stiffness, so give it an evening when you have patience for talk.

**How long is Star Trek: The Next Generation, and what is it rated?**

*Star Trek: The Next Generation* has episodes of about 45m. It is a sci-fi & fantasy and action & adventure series.

**Where can I watch Star Trek: The Next Generation in Malaysia?**

*Star Trek: The Next Generation* is not on any streaming or rental service in Malaysia at the moment. It is available in 13 other countries; change your country at the top of the page to see where. Availability is checked daily.

**How violent or frightening is Star Trek: The Next Generation, and is it suitable for children?**

*Star Trek: The Next Generation* carries a UK 12 certificate, and its interest is in conversation and decision rather than violence or fear. Adventure and mystery bring occasional peril, but the series is far more likely to test a child's patience than to frighten them. Older children and teenagers who can sit through a long, serious exchange should be fine; the squeamish have little to worry about.

**How does Star Trek: The Next Generation compare to Contact?**

*Star Trek: The Next Generation* and [*Contact*](https://film.one/film/contact) both argue that curiosity is worth taking seriously, and both leave room for doubt and difficult conversations. Contact is a single film with a discovery driving it, and Jodie Foster gives it an urgency the series rarely has; the series offers seven seasons of company and a slower, warmer rhythm. Choose the film for a long evening with momentum, the series for people you want to spend time with.

**What should I watch after Star Trek: The Next Generation?**

After *Star Trek: The Next Generation*, try [*The Day the Earth Stood Still*](https://film.one/film/the-day-the-earth-stood-still) (1951, Fi1m 82): A sterner visitor from space also thinks humanity ought to behave better. Then [*Solaris*](https://film.one/film/solaris-1972) (1972, Fi1m 87): A slower, more troubling space journey, equally concerned with what makes us human; and [*Contact*](https://film.one/film/contact) (1997, Fi1m 76): Another persuasive case for curiosity, with room for doubt and difficult conversations.

### Reviews we read (2)

- **The Guardian** (80/100, inferred): The series succeeded despite initial doubts, equalling and in many ways surpassing the original Star Trek with its optimistic vision of humanity's future. The cerebral, emotional storytelling and strong ensemble make the box set essential viewing. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2012/dec/27/star-trek-the-next-generation)
- **Den of Geek**, James Hunt (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation a solid, if not flawless, introduction to the new series and crew upon its Blu-ray re-release. It singles out the episode's effective setup of the Enterprise crew and new storytelling approach for praise despite coming from the show's weakest season. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/revisiting-star-trek-tng-encounter-at-farpoint/)

## Details

- **Created by:** Gene Roddenberry
- **Creator:** Gene Roddenberry
- **Director:** Cliff Bole, Les Landau, Winrich Kolbe, Rob Bowman, Robert Scheerer, Robert Wiemer, Jonathan Frakes, Gabrielle Beaumont, Alexander Singer, David Carson, Patrick Stewart, Paul Lynch, Corey Allen, Chip Chalmers, Joseph L. Scanlan, Robert Lederman, James L. Conway, David Livingston, Adam Nimoy, Robert Legato, Tom Benko, Timothy Bond, LeVar Burton, Robert Becker, Peter Lauritson, Naren Shankar, Robert Iscove, Russ Mayberry, Michael Ray Rhodes, Larry Shaw, Richard Compton, Jonathan West, Kim Manners, Gates McFadden, Win Phelps, Richard A. Colla, Mike Vejar, Marvin V. Rush
- **Writer:** Ronald D. Moore, Brannon Braga, René Echevarria, Jeri Taylor, Joe Menosky, Michael Piller, Naren Shankar, Richard Manning, Hans Beimler, Tracy Tormé, Melinda M. Snodgrass, Rick Berman, Maurice Hurley, D. C. Fontana, Hannah Louise Shearer, Herbert Wright, Peter Allan Fields, Sara B. Cooper, Ira Steven Behr, Stuart Charno, Robert Lewin, Michael I. Wagner, Gene Roddenberry, Frank Abatemarco, Hilary Bader, Susan Sackett, Burton Armus, Nick Sagan, David Bischoff, Philip LaZebnik, Robert L. McCullough, David Kemper, Morgan Gendel, Fred Bronson, Jean Louise Matthias, Shari Goodhartz, John D.F. Black, Robert Sabaroff, Richard Danus, Dennis Bailey, Steve Gerber, Pamela Douglas, John Mason, Patrick Barry, James Kahn, Ralph Phillips, Gregory W. Amos, David Bennett Carren, Pamela Gray, Adam Belanoff, Dan Koeppel, Worley Thorne, Trent Christopher Ganino, R. G. Jarvis, Scott Rubenstein, Deborah Dean Davis, David Assael, Marc Scott Zicree, Leonard Mlodinow, Edithe Swensen, Eric A. Stillwell, Grant Rosenberg, Christopher Hatton, Robin Bernheim, Lee Sheldon, Brian Alan Lane, Mike Gray, Katharyn Powers, Michael Baron, Diane Duane, Michel Horvat, Joseph Stefano, Robert Hewitt Wolfe, Sally Caves, Ed Zuckerman, Jon Povill, Peter S. Beagle, Michael Reaves, Jack B. Sowards, James Caan, Ron Wilkerson, Thomas Perry, Jacqueline Zambrano, Michael Michaelian, Sandy Fries, J. Larry Carroll, Sam Rolfe, Beth Woods, Jaron Summers
- **Story:** Maurice Hurley, Jean Louise Matthias, Shari Goodhartz, Drew Deighan, Ronald Wilkerson, René Echevarria, Joe Menosky, Michael Piller, Richard Manning, Hans Beimler, D. C. Fontana, Hannah Louise Shearer, Robert Lewin, Herbert Wright, Michael I. Wagner, Frank Abatemarco, Hilary Bader, Reuben Leder, Kacey Arnold-Ince, John D.F. Black, Bruce D. Arthurs, Robert Sabaroff, Ralph Sanchez, T. Michael, Richard Fliegel, Timothy De Haas, Wanda M. Haight, Ron Roman, William Douglas Lansford, Lawrence V. Conley, Roger Eschbacher, Michael A. Medlock, Philip A. Scorza, Harold Apter, Randee Russell, Cy Chermak, Larry Forrester, Cash Markman, Lan O'Kun, Karl Geurs, Jaq Greenspon, Michael Halperin, Ken Schafer, James E. Brooks, Kurt Michael Bensmiller, Deborah McIntyre, Richard Krzemien, Tom Kartozian, Mona Clee, Paul Ruben, Paul Schiffer
- **Teleplay:** Maurice Hurley, Michael Piller, Hans Beimler, Tracy Tormé, Hannah Louise Shearer, Robert Lewin, Gene Roddenberry, Reuben Leder, Kacey Arnold-Ince, Bruce D. Arthurs, Richard Danus, Jeanne Carrigan-Fauci, Lisa Rich, W. Reed Moran, René Balcer, John Whelpley, Barry M. Schkolnick
- **Cinematography:** Edward R. Brown, Marvin V. Rush, Jonathan West, Kris Krosskove
- **Editor:** Tom Benko, John Farrell, Robert Lederman, William Hoy, David Ramirez, Daryl Baskin, Jon Koslowsky, Stephen Tucker, Monty DeGraff, David Berlatsky, Randy Roberts
- **Music:** Alexander Courage, Ron Jones, Dennis McCarthy, John Debney
- **Producer:** Merri D. Howard, Ronald D. Moore, Peter Lauritson
- **Cast:** Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard; Jonathan Frakes as William T. Riker; Brent Spiner as Data; LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge; Michael Dorn as Worf; Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi; Gates McFadden as Beverly Crusher; Diana Muldaur as Katherine Pulaski
- **Runtime:** 45m
- **Release (Malaysia):** 28 September 1987
- **Genres:** Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Drama, Mystery

## Where to watch in Malaysia

Not streaming, renting or buying in Malaysia at the last check.

Also available in: AT, AU, CA, CH, CO, DE, DK, FR, GB, IE, IT, MX, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *The Day the Earth Stood Still* (1951), Fi1m 82: A sterner visitor from space also thinks humanity ought to behave better. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-day-the-earth-stood-still.md)
- *The Prisoner* (1967): For another series willing to make a philosophical dispute the main event.
- *Solaris* (1972), Fi1m 87: A slower, more troubling space journey, equally concerned with what makes us human. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/solaris-1972.md)
- *Contact* (1997), Fi1m 76: Another persuasive case for curiosity, with room for doubt and difficult conversations. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/contact.md)
- *Planetes* (2003): Working lives in space, with colleagues whose imperfections make the optimism credible.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation