Timeline of the TNG films

[Darth Thanos]

As it has been some decades since I saw the series (reruns a few years after the initial airing), I have started watching it all from the start. After all, I remember the characters' personalities (still, it's a bit weird to see Riker in season 1 without his trademark beard) but not the details of the actual episodes, so for the most part it's as if I watched them for the first time. And, as back then there was no streaming and I had to accept whatever episode the network decides to air, some of them ARE a first-time watching for me. I have just ended the first season and starting the second one.

But what about the TNG films? At which point should I watch them, so that they make sense with what I already saw, but don't get spoiled of future events?

 

[Vger23]

I wouldn't watch the TNG films until after you have watched the series. There are characters, adversaries, and events throughout the films that work much better if you've seen the show. You certainly CAN watch them without all the background of the series...but it's a much better experience if you wait.

The first film, Generations, takes place a few months after the TNG series finale.

 

[Oddish]

The first film, Generations, takes place a few months after the

Right in the middle of the year-long period between "All Good Things" and "The Way of the Warrior".

 

[Legate Duhmar]

As it has been some decades since I saw the series (reruns a few years after the initial airing), I have started watching it all from the start. After all, I remember the characters' personalities (still, it's a bit weird to see Riker in season 1 without his trademark beard) but not the details of the actual episodes, so for the most part it's as if I watched them for the first time. And, as back then there was no streaming and I had to accept whatever episode the network decides to air, some of them ARE a first-time watching for me. I have just ended the first season and starting the second one.

But what about the TNG films? At which point should I watch them, so that they make sense with what I already saw, but don't get spoiled of future events?

They all take place after the events of of the series so are best watched afterwards, the series is best enjoyed on its own anyways. Unlike TOS, the TNG films never really lived up to their parent series in the same way. They are worth a look but don't really add much to the characters or the overall universe.

 

[Qonundrum]

They all take place after the events of of the series so are best watched afterwards, the series is best enjoyed on its own anyways. Unlike TOS, the TNG films never really lived up to their parent series in the same way. They are worth a look but don't really add much to the characters or the overall universe.

Seconded.

While The TNG films didn't do the wrong thing by trying to copy the style of TOS's 80s movies (II-IV, VI), what we did get felt too underwhelming and more like cast reunion frat parties.

Which isn't to say the films don't have moments, but that's just it - they're collections of set-pieces between plodded plotting and pointless fanservice that amounts to surprisingly little. They don't really leave the viewer satisfied, noting that even while 80s Trek films also had plot holes, for the most part they're not glaring because the whole is more than the sum of the parts. TNG's movies felt less than that. Even in the 90s, when listening to people say "I wish I lived back then!", I was there and more of it was rubbish and people only want the style of the antics on screen as if they're genuinely reflective of the times. And none them ever were. They only reflect one thing... well, two once you think about it. But I digress.

 

[ReddishAlert]

First Contact is a well made film. You can look forward to that one.

I’ll agree with others here that the others are underwhelming and would almost say go ahead and watch them before watching All Good Things just because All Good Things is a better “last” thing to watch.

 

[JesterFace]

I’ll agree with others here that the others are underwhelming and would almost say go ahead and watch them before watching All Good Things just because All Good Things is a better “last” thing to watch.

I don't know how many times I have mentioned this but for me STNG ends with 'All Good Things...'.
Until it begins again with 'Encounter at Farpoint'.

 

[suarezguy]

Generations and First Contact are still worthwhile, the next two very disappointing, much more misses, just a few decent moments.

I’ll agree with others here that the others are underwhelming and would almost say go ahead and watch them before watching All Good Things just because All Good Things is a better “last” thing to watch.

The future part does still work as still being the actual future, still watchable and workable as that, it somehow happened again or from that perspective, after G/FC and also Insurrection.