"Star Trek: The Motion Picture" premiered in 1979 as the first film in a series of films, which also led to the production of two more distinct television series. The film featured all of the regular cast members from the original series which aired from 1966 to 1969. Although the film was not a critical favorite, many fans approved. It was perhaps for these. and for a new generation of younger fans, that McDonald's restaurants began to feature small Star Trek board games as premium giveaways.