How to Watch Star Trek Beyond on Netflix in the US with a VPN (2026)

Star Trek Beyond (2016) is currently available on Netflix in the United Kingdom. Directed by Justin Lin, this science fiction adventure stars Chris Pine as Captain James T. Kirk, Zachary Quinto as Spock, and Zoe Saldaña as Uhura. The film follows the crew of the USS Enterprise after a dangerous enemy destroys their ship and strands them on an unfamiliar planet. You can find the movie on the official Netflix UK page for Star Trek Beyond, which lists the film with its English audio, additional language options, and subtitles.

Star Trek Beyond is not currently available through a Netflix US subscription, even though Americans can stream it through other services. The United Kingdom offers an international Netflix listing, and three major VPN providers have UK connection options: Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN. Their networks allow users to obtain a UK IP address, although that does not necessarily mean Netflix will provide access to the British catalog.

A VPN connection does not guarantee that you can watch Star Trek Beyond on Netflix from the United States. Netflix recognizes some VPN connections and may display only titles with worldwide streaming rights. Its official VPN support guide explains these restrictions and confirms that VPN connections are not supported with ad-supported Netflix experiences. VPN use must also comply with the streaming service’s terms and the VPN provider’s policies.

How to watch Star Trek Beyond on Netflix with a VPN

Netflix UK currently lists Star Trek Beyond, but accessing that title while connected to a VPN depends on Netflix’s licensing rules, its VPN detection, and the VPN provider’s terms. The following steps explain how to check the listing with an existing Netflix subscription where your use is permitted.

1. Choose a VPN service. Private Internet Access is our first recommendation for its documented UK locations and streaming connection options, followed by ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Review the provider’s usage restrictions before proceeding.
2. Download and install the VPN application from the provider’s official website. Sign in with your VPN account and complete the initial setup.
3. Open the VPN server list and select the United Kingdom, provided that connecting to that location complies with your VPN provider’s terms. PIA lists UK Streaming Optimized and several UK cities, while ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer additional UK locations.
4. Fully close Netflix on your device. On a computer, close the browser tab or browser application. On a phone or streaming device, quit the Netflix app rather than leaving it running in the background.
5. Reopen Netflix after establishing the VPN connection. Give the application enough time to reconnect before searching for the movie.
6. Sign in using your existing Netflix credentials. You do not need to create another Netflix account simply because your public IP address changes.
7. Search for Star Trek Beyond using the complete movie title. Check that the result refers to the 2016 movie starring Chris Pine, not another Star Trek film or television series.
8. Open the movie and attempt playback only if Netflix displays it and your account, location, and applicable service terms permit access.

If Netflix displays the movie, review the available audio and subtitles before starting playback. The Netflix UK listing identifies English original audio along with French, Hindi, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), and Mandarin audio options. Its subtitle options include Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Polish, and Ukrainian. Actual options may vary by device and account settings.

You can also visit the Star Trek Beyond listing on Netflix UK directly. This helps confirm that you have selected the correct movie, even if Netflix does not permit playback through your connection.

Remember that selecting a UK server only changes the network location that websites may associate with your connection. Netflix can still recognize the VPN and restrict regional titles. If Star Trek Beyond remains unavailable, the issue may involve licensing or VPN detection rather than an incorrect server choice.

Best VPNs for watching Star Trek Beyond on Netflix

All three VPN providers offer officially documented UK servers. Their location choices, connection protocols, and streaming-related features differ, so it helps to compare them before choosing a service. None guarantees access to Star Trek Beyond on Netflix.

VPN	Server locations in the United Kingdom	Option to try first
Private Internet Access (Editor’s Choice)	UK London, UK Manchester, UK Southampton, UK Streaming Optimized	UK Streaming Optimized for permitted local streaming, subject to PIA’s geographic restriction policy
ExpressVPN	London, East London, Docklands, Wembley, Manchester, Midlands, Tottenham	UK London, or the automatic United Kingdom selection
NordVPN	London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow	United Kingdom automatic server selection

These locations come from the VPN providers’ official server directories. Server availability may change, and the connection shown inside an installed VPN application provides the most useful indication of what that service currently offers.

Although all three providers can supply a UK IP address, Netflix may restrict the available catalog when it detects a VPN. A streaming-optimized server or a large server network does not override the streaming service’s licensing decisions.

1. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is our Editor’s Choice because it documents several UK connection locations, offers a dedicated streaming-optimized UK option, and supports customizable VPN protocols. These features make it a practical privacy service for users who want more control over their connections. However, PIA’s terms expressly prohibit using its service to circumvent geographic restrictions imposed by content providers, so its UK servers should not be used to bypass Netflix’s regional restrictions.

According to the official PIA server directory, users can select UK London, UK Manchester, UK Southampton, and UK Streaming Optimized. The last option is specifically intended to support streaming performance, although PIA does not promise access to individual Netflix titles.

For streaming that complies with PIA’s policy, the UK Streaming Optimized connection is the sensible starting point when you are physically located in the United Kingdom. PIA instructs customers to connect to a server in the country where they currently reside when using streaming services.

To find the streaming connection, open the PIA application and select the VPN SERVER section. Enter “streaming” into the search field, locate UK Streaming Optimized, and select it. The application will establish the VPN connection once you activate the power button.

If the streaming-optimized location experiences connection problems, UK London is another documented location. UK Manchester and UK Southampton offer additional options for troubleshooting ordinary connectivity problems. These alternatives may help with routing, latency, or unstable connections, but they do not guarantee that Netflix will display a regional title.

PIA also distinguishes between physical and virtual server locations. A virtual location provides an IP address associated with one country while operating the server hardware in another. PIA explains this distinction in its virtual server documentation. The United Kingdom does not appear in its published virtual-location list, although the document does not separately certify the physical hosting address of every UK connection.

For VPN performance, PIA supports WireGuard and OpenVPN. WireGuard uses a relatively lightweight design and can provide good connection speeds. OpenVPN offers more configuration options, including different transport settings that can help on restrictive or unstable networks.

PIA’s WireGuard support instructions explain how to change protocols through the application’s settings. On desktop, open Settings, choose Protocols, and select the desired connection method. Reconnect after changing the protocol so the new configuration takes effect.

When a streaming service fails to load, start with basic troubleshooting. Close Netflix, check whether the VPN is connected, clear outdated browser cookies, and update the VPN application. PIA recommends these actions in its official streaming guide.

Performance also depends on the distance to the server, your internet connection, network congestion, and the device you use. A stable broadband connection generally matters more than choosing a particular city without a technical reason.

The important limitation is PIA’s usage policy. The company explicitly prohibits using its service to bypass geographic restrictions imposed by streaming providers. Therefore, while its UK network meets the technical server-availability requirement, we do not recommend using PIA to circumvent Netflix’s licensing restrictions from the United States.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is our second recommendation. Its main advantage for this comparison is its range of UK locations, which gives users several connection choices when they want to establish a secure UK network connection for permitted activities.

The official ExpressVPN server directory currently lists seven UK locations: Docklands, East London, London, Manchester, Midlands, Tottenham, and Wembley. These locations appear separately in the directory, rather than as unspecified servers grouped under a single national connection.

London is a straightforward manual choice. You can also select United Kingdom and let ExpressVPN choose a location automatically. ExpressVPN’s London VPN guide explains that the application can select a suitable UK server based on network conditions.

To connect manually, open ExpressVPN and select the server-location control. Search for the United Kingdom, expand the available choices, and select London. Once the application confirms the connection, other internet services may recognize your public IP address as British.

If a connection becomes slow or unstable, consider East London, Wembley, Docklands, or Manchester. Midlands and Tottenham are also officially listed options. Changing locations can affect network routing and performance, but it does not guarantee that Netflix will treat a connection as eligible for the British catalog.

ExpressVPN supports Lightway, WireGuard, and OpenVPN on compatible devices. Its connection troubleshooting guide recommends using Automatic protocol selection first. If connectivity problems continue, users can try Lightway UDP, Lightway TCP, WireGuard, or the supported OpenVPN modes.

Protocol availability varies by platform. ExpressVPN’s server directory documents WireGuard support on Windows, Android, and iOS applications, while other platforms may have different connection options. Check the protocol menu on your device rather than assuming every application supports identical features.

ExpressVPN also publishes information about its physical and virtual server locations. According to its virtual location documentation, a small number of its international locations use hardware in a different country from their registered IP addresses.

The United Kingdom does not appear on that virtual-location list. ExpressVPN states that locations not listed as virtual have their server hardware in the specified country. This supports treating its UK locations as UK-hosted, although it does not establish the precise building or data center used by each named location.

For streaming performance, consider connection stability, the selected protocol, and the speed of your existing internet service. A faster VPN protocol may improve throughput, but it cannot resolve a licensing restriction or guarantee that Netflix will accept the connection.

If Netflix reports a VPN or proxy error, review the streaming service’s support guidance. ExpressVPN cannot guarantee that choosing a different British server will make Star Trek Beyond available. Its location choices are most useful for legitimate connectivity and privacy needs.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN is the third option in this comparison. It offers a substantial UK server network, automatic server selection, the NordLynx protocol, and SmartPlay technology for private streaming connections.

According to NordVPN’s official UK server page, the company lists 853 servers in the United Kingdom as of this research. Its four documented city locations are London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. The number of available servers may change as NordVPN expands or adjusts its network.

The easiest way to select a UK connection is to open the NordVPN application and choose the United Kingdom from the country list or map. NordVPN then selects a suitable server automatically using its connection algorithm.

You can also choose a city manually. In supported versions of the application, open the location options beside the United Kingdom and select London, Manchester, Edinburgh, or Glasgow. This gives you more control when testing ordinary network performance or resolving a connection failure.

NordVPN uses NordLynx, a protocol built around WireGuard technology. Its NordLynx documentation explains how the protocol supports efficient encrypted connections and helps reduce performance overhead compared with some older VPN configurations.

Another feature worth understanding is SmartPlay. NordVPN combines VPN functionality and DNS-related technology to improve the experience of accessing content securely. According to the company’s SmartPlay support article, the feature activates automatically whenever users establish a connection through a NordVPN application.

You do not need to enable SmartPlay manually or install a separate application. However, SmartPlay does not guarantee access to specific Netflix regional catalogs. Netflix can still recognize a VPN connection and limit the available selection.

If the VPN itself experiences connectivity problems, try a different UK city, reconnect through automatic server selection, or review the application’s protocol settings. NordVPN’s automatic selection can help identify a suitable connection based on current network conditions.

For better streaming performance, use a stable internet connection and avoid unnecessary background downloads. UK servers may introduce additional latency when accessed from the United States, although the actual impact depends on your provider, location, and network routing.

NordVPN’s larger UK server network offers flexibility, but server count alone does not determine whether Star Trek Beyond will appear on Netflix. Licensing, account conditions, and VPN recognition remain separate factors.

What to do if Star Trek Beyond does not appear

If Star Trek Beyond is missing after you connect to a VPN, first determine whether Netflix is loading normally and whether the problem affects other titles. A missing movie can result from regional licensing, VPN recognition, profile restrictions, or outdated application data.

1. Close Netflix completely. Quit the application or browser instead of leaving it running in the background.
2. Disconnect from the VPN through its application and confirm that the connection has ended.
3. Reconnect to the selected country, the United Kingdom, only where your VPN provider’s terms and the applicable streaming rules permit that connection.
4. Try another server or location in the same country to investigate connection problems. Changing servers does not guarantee access to a regional Netflix catalog.
5. Clear Netflix cookies and your browser cache to remove outdated website session information.
6. Open an incognito or private browser window to test Netflix without previously stored browsing data.
7. Reopen Netflix and sign in using your existing account credentials.
8. Search for Star Trek Beyond again and check whether the 2016 movie appears in the available results.

For Private Internet Access, UK London, UK Manchester, and UK Southampton provide alternatives for ordinary connection troubleshooting. UK Streaming Optimized is intended for permitted streaming in the user’s actual country. PIA’s policy prohibits bypassing geographic content restrictions, so these options must not be treated as a method of circumventing Netflix’s regional licensing.

ExpressVPN users can investigate connection quality through London, East London, Docklands, Wembley, Manchester, Midlands, or Tottenham. If the automatic UK connection experiences network problems, selecting a specific location may help identify the cause.

NordVPN users can switch between London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow or return to automatic UK server selection. NordLynx may also help maintain an efficient connection when compatible with the device and network.

The correct title is Star Trek Beyond. It is the 2016 film starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Zoe Saldaña. Avoid confusing it with Star Trek Into Darkness, the preceding film, or television titles such as Star Trek: Discovery.

Netflix explains additional reasons for missing movies in its missing-title troubleshooting guide. Besides licensing, Netflix identifies maturity restrictions, profile language settings, and VPN connections as potential reasons a title may not appear.

If Netflix detects your VPN, the service may show only globally licensed titles or display a playback error. Changing locations cannot guarantee that the movie will become available. Follow the service’s guidance and disconnect the VPN when necessary.

Netflix may detect the VPN

A VPN routes your internet connection through a remote server, replacing the public IP address visible to websites with one associated with the VPN connection. When you select a UK server, a website may interpret your network traffic as originating in the United Kingdom.

However, an IP address is not the same as permission to access a regional Netflix catalog. Netflix manages streaming rights across different countries and may identify connections that originate from VPN services.

Its VPN policy documentation states that users connecting through a VPN may see only movies and shows for which Netflix holds worldwide streaming rights. Consequently, Star Trek Beyond may disappear from search results even while the VPN application reports an active UK connection.

Netflix may also display a proxy-related error or prevent playback. VPN providers cannot guarantee access because Netflix controls its own licensing, service rules, and detection systems.

Can you use a Netflix ad-supported plan with a VPN?

No. Netflix does not support VPN connections for its ad-supported streaming experience. Users attempting to watch through a VPN may encounter playback errors, including messages that instruct them to disable a VPN or proxy.

Netflix explains this restriction in its ad-supported VPN error guide. The recommended action is to turn off the VPN and try streaming again through a supported connection.

An ad-free Netflix subscription avoids this particular plan restriction, but that does not mean Netflix will allow access to every international title through a VPN. The service may still recognize the connection and restrict the available catalog.

Therefore, paying for an ad-free subscription does not guarantee that a US subscriber can watch Star Trek Beyond through Netflix UK.

Does changing the VPN location change your Netflix account?

No. Connecting to a VPN server does not automatically change your Netflix account credentials, password, profiles, or billing information. It changes the public network address associated with your internet connection.

Netflix maintains different catalogs in different countries because studios and distributors negotiate territorial streaming rights. The Netflix account country guide explains that changing your apparent connection location does not automatically change the country associated with your Netflix account.

Netflix may also restrict its catalog when it detects a VPN, regardless of which country the connection appears to use. Your existing account can remain unchanged while the available movie selection differs.

For Americans who want a more straightforward option, Star Trek Beyond is available through other US streaming services. The current US streaming listings identify Paramount+ and Peacock options, along with digital rental and purchase services. Check their latest availability before subscribing.

Which VPN should you use?

Private Internet Access remains our Editor’s Choice for its documented UK network, including London, Manchester, Southampton, and UK Streaming Optimized. Its WireGuard and OpenVPN options offer useful control over network performance and privacy. However, PIA explicitly prohibits circumventing geographic restrictions imposed by content providers, so it is appropriate for permitted privacy and streaming uses rather than bypassing Netflix’s regional licensing.

ExpressVPN offers seven documented UK locations, including London, East London, Docklands, Wembley, Manchester, Midlands, and Tottenham. It also supports Lightway and other protocols on compatible devices. NordVPN offers London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, with 853 UK servers listed during this research. Its NordLynx protocol and automatically enabled SmartPlay technology provide additional connection features, although neither guarantees access to Netflix regional titles.

Star Trek Beyond (2016) currently has a verified Netflix listing in the United Kingdom, while Netflix US does not offer it through its subscription catalog. However, VPN connections do not guarantee playback from the United States. Netflix licensing restrictions, VPN detection, subscription limitations, and the VPN providers’ terms all determine whether a particular connection and viewing method are permitted.