The “Star Trek” franchise’s 60th anniversary is coming straight at us warp speed and will be arriving on Sept. 8, 2026. “Trek” faithful from around the globe are expected to pause and salute this space fantasy institution created by Gene Roddenberry in whichever way they deem appropriate.
The celebration has already begun earlier this year at the 2026 Rose Parade and will accelerate past September and into the fall, where there’ll no doubt be 40th anniversary screenings of “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” and 30th anniversary tributes to “Star Trek: First Contact” in November, amid a galaxy of other ‘Trek’-centric events and retrospectives.
William Shatner’s innumerable contributions to the “Star Trek” universe are as infinite as the heavens, and to add to the historic occasion’s festivities, he’s co-executive produced a new documentary about the show’s history and impact.
Titled “The Sixty-Year Mission: How Star Trek Changed Television And The World”, the documentary will launch exclusively into Regal Cinemas beginning on Oct. 9, 2026.
Written and directed by Mark A. Altman (“Star Trek: The Fifty-Year Mission”) in association with Michael S. Broder of Galaxie Pictures, “The Sixty-Year Mission” will focus on the rare combination of creative genius, epic struggles, personal conflicts, and indefatigable spirit that caused the cosmic tumblers to align and birth “Star Trek: The Original Series” in 1966.
“This film is a love letter to ‘Star Trek,'” Altman told Deadline. “I’m immensely grateful to Regal to offer this gift to fans for the show’s 60th birthday. I’m confident that the film will appeal both to longtime fans of the franchise as well as new viewers who might be wondering what the unique alchemy of this pop culture icon is really about.”
“The Sixty-Year Mission” burrows into the genesis of the seminal TV series that, against all odds, forever altered the landscape of small screen science fiction and ushered in a true classic.
It’s brimming with archival footage and fresh insights from “The Original Series” luminaries William Shatner, Walter Koenig, and George Takei, as well as visits with Gene “Rod” Roddenberry, Jr., Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Gates McFadden, Ethan Peck, Robert Picardo, Christina Chong, and Denise Crosby.
“”We could not be more excited to partner with Regal to ensure that fans have a chance to see this remarkable film honoring the incredible 60-year legacy of ‘Star Trek,'” adds Broder. “I am delighted to join forces with William Shatner and many of the franchise’s greatest stars and creatives to bring this film to theaters. And since every birthday deserves a party, we’ll be bringing key ‘Star Trek’ talent to theaters for exclusive Q&A’s.”
Except for the two-part pilot, “The Menagerie,” Shatner appeared as the USS Enterprise’s Captain James T. Kirk in every one of “Star Trek: The Original Series”‘ 79 episodes over three seasons and forged a palpable bond with viewers that helped forge “Star Trek’s” legacy. His involvement with this documentary at the age of 95 gives the project a definite luster.
“The Sixty-Year Mission” will dock in Regal theaters starting Oct. 9, 2026.
