Is this too boring for a kid who hasn't seen the show?

Actually, no. The focus on real-world tech like cell phones and tractor beams acts as a great hook even if they don't know who Captain Kirk is. It’s more of a 'science of the future' doc than a fan-only film.

Is there any 'old show' content that's inappropriate?

Not here. The clips used are selected to show tech or diversity milestones. It avoids the more 'dated' or campy romantic elements of the 60s show.

Where can I find the Enterprise model they talk about?

It's a real thing! You can see it at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The movie makes for a great 'pre-trip' watch if you're planning a visit.

Building Star Trek – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Building Star Trek

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2016

89%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A smart, celebratory bridge between 1960s sci-fi dreams and the real-world tech currently sitting in your pocket.

86%

→

Building Star Trek

movie

NR, 2016

89%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A smart, celebratory bridge between 1960s sci-fi dreams and the real-world tech currently sitting in your pocket.

86%

Jump to

Also rated on

86%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

If you have a kid who is constantly asking how things work or dreaming about NASA, this is a winner. It’s a Smithsonian Channel production, so it’s polished, intelligent, and deeply nerdy in the best way possible. It manages to make the restoration of a 50-year-old plastic model feel as high-stakes as actual space travel.

It’s not an action movie, so don't expect phaser fights. But as a way to show kids that imagination is the first step of engineering, it hits the mark perfectly. It's the ultimate validation that 'Dad's old show' actually changed the world.

Age Fit

Best for kids 10 and up. While there's nothing 'bad' for younger kids, the pacing and scientific depth are really geared toward middle-schoolers and adults who can appreciate the historical context.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It models intellectual curiosity and a deep respect for history and scientific achievement. It's entirely focused on the positive, optimistic vision of the future.

Imaginative

The entire premise is about how imagination fuels reality. It connects the dots between 1960s sci-fi concepts and modern engineering.

Safe

This is a Smithsonian Channel production. It is exceptionally safe, with no violence, language, or mature themes beyond complex scientific concepts.

Enriching

High-level STEM content, cultural history, and a look into the meticulous world of museum conservation. It's essentially a masterclass in how pop culture influences science.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

STEM inspiration is the core here, showing how 'impossible' ideas like tractor beams and tricorders are actually being built by scientists today.
The Enterprise restoration plotline is weirdly gripping, following the National Air and Space Museum as they treat a plastic prop like a holy relic.
It makes history accessible by showing how Star Trek broke social barriers in the 60s while also predicting the smartphone.
Perfect for multigenerational viewing if you have a grandparent who remembers the original airings and a kid who likes engineering.

⚠

What to Watch For

It's a documentary format, meaning there's a lot of 'talking heads.' If your kid needs constant action to stay engaged, they might check out after 20 minutes.
The tech talk gets moderately technical. While they try to keep it simple, younger kids might get lost in the physics of warp drives or medical sensors.

Conversation Starters

"If you could pick one piece of Star Trek tech to have in real life right now, would you choose the transporter or the replicator?"
"Why do you think a TV show from 60 years ago had such a big impact on what scientists decided to build?"
"The scientists in the movie say 'imagination is the first step of engineering.' What's something you've imagined that doesn't exist yet?"
"Does seeing how the 'magic' of the show was made (the props and models) make it more or less cool to you?"

Deep Dive

Science Fact vs. Science Fiction

Building Star Trek isn't just a clip show of old episodes. It’s a dual-track narrative. On one hand, you have the high-stakes conservation of the original 11-foot USS Enterprise model. Watching experts use X-ray technology to see how a 1966 prop was glued together is surprisingly fascinating. It treats pop culture as legitimate history, which is a great lesson for kids about the value of the things we create.

On the other hand, the documentary checks in with modern labs. We see how the 'Tricorder' is becoming a real medical tool and how physicists are grappling with the actual math of a warp drive. For a kid who finds science class a bit dry, this is the 'why it matters' connective tissue. It frames scientists not as people in lab coats doing math, but as fans of a vision who decided to make it real.

Why it holds up

Even though this was released for the 50th anniversary in 2016, the tech it discusses—AI, portable medical diagnostics, and space travel—is even more relevant in 2026. It doesn't feel like a dusty relic because the 'future' it describes is the one we are currently living in. It’s a great companion piece if you're introducing your kids to the original series or the newer films, providing a grounded, real-world anchor to the space-opera fantasy.

What Parents Ask

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic