Movies About Outer Space

From Irvin Kershner, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Rated PG

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back is the second installment in the Star Wars saga and continues the story of Luke Skywalker and his fight against the Empire. After a devastating attack on the Rebel base on the ice planet Hoth by the Empire, Luke and his friends attempt to escape and regroup. Luke leaves to seek out the mysterious Jedi Master Yoda, while Han Solo and Princess Leia are pursued by Darth Vader and the Empire. Meanwhile, Luke learns the ways of the Force to battle the evil Empire, and ultimately confronts Darth Vader in a climactic lightsaber duel. In the end, the Rebels manage to escape and regroup, but the Empire has become even more powerful.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Mackenzie Foy
Rated PG-13

Interstellar is an epic science fiction film directed by Christopher Nolan. Set in a dystopian future where a blight has decimated Earth’s crop production, the film follows a team of astronauts who embark on a daring mission to explore a newly discovered wormhole near Saturn. The team is led by the former NASA pilot, Cooper, and his daughter, Murph. With the help of a team of scientists, including Professor Brand and Dr. Amelia Brand, Cooper and his crew must find a new home for humanity before it’s too late. Along the way, they encounter cosmic forces, black holes, and a mysterious entity known as “The Endurance.” They must rely on courage, ingenuity, and love to find a way back home, or humanity will be lost forever.

From George Lucas, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
Rated PG

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) is a sci-fi adventure film within the Star Wars franchise. It follows Luke Skywalker, a farm boy, who dreams of becoming a Jedi knight. When his aunt and uncle are killed by the Empire, he joins forces with the Rebel Alliance to save the galaxy from the Empire's ultimate weapon, the Death Star. Along the way, he meets the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. Together, they must use the Force to defeat the Empire and restore freedom to the galaxy.

From Ridley Scott, starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright
Rated R

Alien is a classic science-fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott in 1979. Set in the distant future, the story follows the crew of the commercial space tug, Nostromo, as it investigates a distress signal from an unknown planet. After discovering a hive of alien eggs, the crew unwittingly unleashes a deadly alien creature that stalks them one by one. With the alien growing in strength and size, the remaining crew must find a way to destroy it before it destroys them. The film is noted for its atmosphere of intense suspense, its groundbreaking special effects, and its iconic monster.

From Andrew Stanton, starring Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard
Rated G

WALL·E is a 2008 American computer-animated science fiction romantic comedy film directed and co-written by Andrew Stanton. The film follows a robot named WALL·E, who is designed to clean up a waste-covered Earth far in the future. He falls in love with another robot named EVE, and follows her into outer space on an adventure that eventually sets the destiny of mankind in motion. The film is set in the distant future, where WALL·E and the other robots have spent centuries cleaning up an abandoned Earth. WALL·E discovers a plant and falls in love with EVE, who is sent to retrieve it and return to her ship. After WALL·E pursues her into space, they gradually learn to communicate and build a bond. They discover a secret that could save humanity, but it comes at a greater cost than either of them could have imagined. In the end, WALL·E's selfless act of love helps to save humanity and lead it to a more sustainable future.

From James Cameron, starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn, Paul Reiser
Rated R

Aliens is a science fiction action horror film directed by James Cameron and released in 1986. It is the sequel to the 1979 film Alien, and the second installment in the Alien franchise. The film follows Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) as she returns to the planet LV-426, with a group of Colonial Marines, to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the colonists. When they arrive, they discover that the colonists have been overwhelmed by a vicious and deadly species of alien creature. Now, Ripley, the Marines, and a robotic android, Bishop (Lance Henriksen) must battle the aliens in a desperate fight for survival. Along the way, Ripley must confront her own fears and doubts about the aliens, and ultimately confront the Alien Queen in a thrilling climax. Aliens was a commercial and critical success, and is considered one of the best science fiction films of all time.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Richter
Rated G

"2001: A Space Odyssey" is a 1968 science fiction film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The story follows a voyage to Jupiter with the sentient computer HAL after the discovery of a mysterious black monolith affecting human evolution. The film is renowned for its innovative visual effects and ambiguous narrative structure, poetically exploring the themes of human evolution, technology, artificial intelligence, and extraterrestrial life. Through a combination of music, imagery, and minimal dialogue, Kubrick creates a captivating and thought-provoking journey that has had a lasting impact on the genre.

From Richard Marquand, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Rated PG

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi is the sixth and final installment in the original Star Wars movie saga. In the film, Luke Skywalker returns to his home planet of Tatooine to rescue his friends Han Solo and Princess Leia from the clutches of the evil Jabba the Hutt. He joins forces with the Ewoks, a small primitive race inhabiting the forest moon of Endor, to help overthrow the Empire's dreaded new weapon, the Death Star. Meanwhile, the Rebel Alliance prepares to launch a full-scale attack on the Death Star in order to save the galaxy. In the end, Luke Skywalker manages to redeem Darth Vader and defeat the Emperor, restoring freedom and justice to the galaxy. With the help of his friends, Luke is able to bring balance to the Force and return balance to the galaxy.

From Ridley Scott, starring Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara
Rated PG-13

The Martian is an adventure-filled science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott. It tells the story of Mark Watney (Matt Damon), an astronaut who is presumed dead and left behind on the planet Mars by his crewmates during a mission. After struggling to survive, Watney must find a way to signal to earth that he is still alive, and in the meantime, use his ingenuity and resourcefulness to stay alive in the harsh environment of the red planet. With the help of a dedicated team back on Earth, Watney is eventually able to make contact and is rescued by another mission. The film is a thrilling and inspirational story of human resilience, perseverance, and the power of science, technology, and exploration.

From Andrei Tarkovsky, starring Natalya Bondarchuk, Donatas Banionis, Jüri Järvet, Vladislav Dvorzhetskiy
Rated PG

Solaris is a 1972 science fiction film directed by Andrei Tarkovsky and based on the novel of the same name by Stanisław Lem. The story follows a psychologist, Kris Kelvin, who is sent to investigate strange occurrences at a space station orbiting a mysterious planet named Solaris. Upon his arrival, Kelvin discovers that the station's crew have been driven mad by the planet's powerful and enigmatic ocean, which has the ability to materialize a person's innermost thoughts and feelings in the form of physical manifestations. As Kelvin struggles to understand the enigmatic ocean and its power, he must also confront his own personal demons brought to life by the planet. In the end, he discovers a way to bridge the divide between himself and the planet, and is able to find peace.

From Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans
Rated G

Planet of the Apes is a 1968 science-fiction film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. Astronauts George Taylor (Charlton Heston), John Landon (Robert Gunner) and Dodge (Jeff Burton) crash-land on a strange planet after an extended period of time in deep space. They discover that the planet is ruled by intelligent apes, while humans are enslaved and treated as second-class citizens. When Taylor and his crew are captured by the apes, they must find a way to survive in a hostile new world, while also uncovering the secrets of the mysterious planet. Along the way, Taylor discovers a shocking truth and must make a difficult choice between justice and his own survival. The film was a major success, earning several Academy Awards and becoming a classic of sci-fi cinema.

From James Gunn, starring Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana
Rated PG-13

"Guardians of the Galaxy" is an intergalactic space adventure set in the far reaches of the Marvel Universe. It follows the story of Peter Quill, a human who finds himself the object of a bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by the villainous Ronan. Quill forms an uneasy alliance with a group of misfits including a gun-toting raccoon, an emotionally-repressed tree, and other interstellar beings. With the help of his newfound friends, Quill must fight off Ronan's forces and prevent him from destroying the universe. Along the way, Quill discovers the true power of the orb and learns to embrace his inner hero.

From J.J. Abrams, starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Leonard Nimoy
Rated PG-13

Star Trek (2009) is a science fiction action film directed by J.J. Abrams and starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, and Leonard Nimoy. The film is the eleventh installment in the Star Trek franchise, and follows the crew of the USS Enterprise as they travel to the Romulan planet Nero to stop the Romulan Nero from destroying the Federation. Along the way, they must contend with a renegade Vulcan, Spock, who has a plan to save the universe. Through a series of thrilling adventures, the crew discovers the power of friendship and teamwork as they face their greatest challenge yet.

From Duncan Jones, starring Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey, Dominique McElligott, Rosie Shaw
Rated R

Moon is a 2009 science fiction film directed by Duncan Jones and starring Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey and Dominic Monaghan. The film follows Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), an astronaut working alone on a space station on the Moon. While on the station, Sam begins to experience strange events, and eventually discovers a mysterious clone of himself. The clone reveals that the station has been harvesting the Moon’s resources without the knowledge of Earth’s government. With the aid of the clone, Sam must find a way to get back to Earth and expose the secrets of the station before his three-year contract is up. Throughout the film, Sam struggles with his identity and the moral ambiguities of his situation, as he confronts the ethical implications of his employers’ actions.

From Joe Johnston, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, Chris Owen
Rated PG

October Sky is a 1999 biographical drama film directed by Joe Johnston that is based on the true story of Homer Hickam, Jr., a coal miner's son who, inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1, builds and launches rockets of his own design. Set in 1957 in Coalwood, West Virginia, the film follows Homer as he struggles against his father's disapproval and the negative attitudes of his small town. With the help of his friends, Homer overcomes obstacles and learns the power of dedication and hard work, eventually being accepted to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and winning a national science competition. October Sky is a testament to the potential of human ambition and creativity.

From Philip Kaufman, starring Sam Shepard, Scott Glenn, Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid
Rated PG

"The Right Stuff" is a 1983 period drama directed by Philip Kaufman, based on the book of the same name written by Tom Wolfe. It follows the early days of the U.S. space program and the first seven astronauts chosen to become America's first space pioneers. The film follows each of the astronauts' stories as they battle with their own personal demons, the physical and technical obstacles of space exploration, and the treacherous politics of the space race. Through it all, these brave men stay true to the spirit of adventure, courage, and patriotism that earned them the title of "The Right Stuff." The cast includes Ed Harris, Sam Shepard, Dennis Quaid, and Scott Glenn. The film earned 8 Academy Award nominations, and won 4, including Best Sound and Best Original Score. The Right Stuff is a thrilling and inspirational tale of the struggle for greatness and a celebration of the human spirit.

From Joss Whedon, starring Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alan Tudyk
Rated PG-13

Serenity is a 2005 science fiction action adventure movie written and directed by Joss Whedon. It stars Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Summer Glau, and Ron Glass. The film takes place in the year 2517, after the events of the television series Firefly. The story follows the crew of the spaceship Serenity, captained by Malcolm Reynolds (Fillion), as they battle against a group of ruthless government agents attempting to recover a mysterious passenger onboard their ship. The passengers are a young psychic girl, River Tam (Glau), whose powers have been used to create an army of super soldiers, and a mysterious operative (Baccarin) whose intentions may not be what they seem. Along the way, the crew must confront their own inner demons and discover the secrets of their past in order to survive. With its thrilling action, emotional depth, and clever dialogue, Serenity is a satisfying conclusion to the series and a delight for science fiction fans.

From J.J. Abrams, starring Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson
Rated PG-13

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens is the seventh installment in the Star Wars film series. Set thirty years after the events of Return of the Jedi, a new generation of heroes join forces with the old to try and restore freedom to the galaxy. The story follows a scavenger named Rey, a former Stormtrooper named Finn, and a pilot named Poe Dameron as they search for the long lost Luke Skywalker. Along their journey, they must face off against the evil First Order and its commander, Kylo Ren. With the help of the Resistance and its leader, General Leia Organa, the three heroes and their new allies must fight against the First Order to save the galaxy and restore balance to the Force.

From James Cameron, starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez
Rated PG-13

Avatar is a 2009 science fiction epic directed, written, produced and co-edited by James Cameron. Set in the year 2154 in the Pandora, a moon of the planet Polyphemus in the Alpha Centauri star system, the film follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic former marine who is sent to Pandora by the humans in order to gain control over the planet's valuable resources. Sully is able to use a Na'vi avatar body, a genetically engineered body to which he transfers his consciousness, to explore the planet and discover its secrets. As he does so, he falls in love with a Na'vi female, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), and eventually fights alongside her people to protect the planet from the human military. In the process, he helps the Na'vi understand that neither race is truly better than the other and that they must work together in order to survive.

From Ron Howard, starring Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise
Rated PG

Apollo 13 is a 1995 film directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton. The film tells the true story of the ill-fated 1970 Apollo 13 mission. After a successful launch, an oxygen tank explodes and puts the lives of the astronauts Jim Lovell (Hanks), Jack Swigert (Bacon), and Fred Haise (Paxton) in danger. The crew must work together with the help of NASA ground control to make a daring return to Earth. Through determination and ingenuity, the astronauts are able to make it home safely in what has been labeled a "successful failure". The film is a gripping and inspiring account of one of the most incredible moments in space exploration history.

From Alfonso Cuarón, starring Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Ed Harris, Orto Ignatiussen
Rated PG-13

Gravity is a 2013 science fiction thriller film directed by Alfonso Cuarón and starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. It tells the story of two astronauts—Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) and Matt Kowalsky (Clooney)—who are on a space mission to repair the Hubble Telescope. However, their mission is thrown into disarray when their shuttle is damaged and they are stranded in space. With limited oxygen and no chance of rescue, Stone and Kowalsky must fight to survive in the cold and unforgiving vacuum of space. Through courage, ingenuity, and perseverance, the two astronauts must face their fears and rely on each other to make it back to Earth.

From Nicholas Meyer, starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
Rated PG

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is a science-fiction action film directed by Nicholas Meyer and starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and Ricardo Montalbán. The film follows the crew of the USS Enterprise as they confront Khan Noonien Singh, an exiled superhuman from the late 20th century who seeks revenge against Captain James T. Kirk for his past defeat. Along the way, they must also battle a powerful and relentless enemy, the genetically engineered life form Ceti Alpha V. With the help of his old friend, Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, Kirk must ultimately confront Khan and the forces of Genesis in order to protect the future of the human race.

From George Lucas, starring Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Samuel L. Jackson
Rated PG-13

"Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" is the third installment in George Lucas's prequel trilogy of Star Wars films and the sixth film overall in the series. The film follows Anakin Skywalker's fall to the dark side of the Force and his transformation into the villainous Darth Vader, as well as the rise of the Galactic Empire. The story begins three years after the events of "Attack of the Clones", with Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi leading a battle against the Separatists on the planet of Coruscant. After a failed attempt to save Chancellor Palpatine from the clutches of the Sith Lord Count Dooku, Anakin begins his journey down the path of the dark side of the Force. He is tempted by the promises of power from the Sith Lord Darth Sidious and eventually succumbs to his temptation. The story progresses as Anakin struggles to reconcile his new identity as a Sith Lord with his relationship with his wife Padme, who eventually dies during childbirth. In a fit of rage, Anakin slaughters the young Jedi trainees at the Jedi Temple and turns on his former master Obi-Wan. This leads to an intense lightsaber duel between the two that ends with Anakin being

From Luc Besson, starring Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm
Rated PG-13

The Fifth Element is a science fiction action movie set in the 23rd century. Bruce Willis stars as Korben Dallas, a former Special Forces major-turned-taxi driver who is forced to become a hero when Earth is threatened by a malevolent force. With the help of the mysterious Leeloo (Milla Jovovich), he discovers the Fifth Element, a powerful cosmic force capable of stopping the destruction of the universe. Together with a colorful cast of characters, including the eccentric alien priest Vito Cornelius (Ian Holm), the wise-cracking cab dispatcher Zorg (Gary Oldman), and the alien Diva Plavalaguna (Maïwenn), they must find a way to stop the evil Mangalore forces before it's too late.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon
Rated PG

Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a 1977 science fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg. The plot follows Roy Neary, a blue-collar worker who, after a close encounter with a UFO, is driven by an increasing obsession to make contact with the extraterrestrials he believes are trying to communicate with him. His search leads him to a secret government facility in Wyoming and to a reunion with the aliens in an otherworldly meeting place. Along the way, Roy and other characters experience a range of paranormal phenomena, including visions and mysterious dreams. The film was a commercial and critical success, and was nominated for eight Academy Awards. It has become one of the most iconic films of the sci-fi genre, and is widely regarded as an influential classic.