Movies About Space Exploration

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 original Star Wars trilogy. Taking place three years after the events of the first film, the story follows the continuing struggle between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire. After the Rebels are forced to abandon their base on the ice planet Hoth, Luke Skywalker continues his Jedi training with Yoda on the swamp planet Dagobah, while Han Solo and Princess Leia flee from Darth Vader and the Imperial fleet. As Luke learns the ways of the Force, Vader seeks to lure him into a trap, while the Rebel Alliance regroups and prepares for a massive counter-attack against the Empire. With the help of his friends, Luke must confront Vader one last time in order to fulfil his destiny and save the galaxy.

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

Interstellar is a science-fiction epic directed by Christopher Nolan. It follows a team of astronauts who venture through a wormhole in search of a new home for humanity. Led by former NASA pilot Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), the crew must battle a variety of challenges as they explore the vast unknown. Along the way, they must grapple with the potential implications of time travel, as well as the morality of their mission. With a stellar cast, breathtaking visuals, and a thought-provoking story, Interstellar captivates viewers as it takes them on an unforgettable journey across the stars.

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

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, directed by George Lucas and released in 1977, tells the story of a young farm boy, Luke Skywalker, who is thrust into a larger-than-life adventure when he discovers a message from a princess in distress, begging for help from a legendary Jedi knight. With the help of his new allies, the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, Luke joins forces with the Rebel Alliance to overthrow the oppressive Galactic Empire and restore freedom to the galaxy. Along the way, he learns the ways of the Force and confronts the powerful villain Darth Vader in a struggle for the fate of the universe. With the help of his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke ultimately triumphs over evil and sets in motion the events that will shape his destiny as a Jedi knight.

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

Alien is a science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and released in 1979. The film follows the crew of commercial towing spaceship Nostromo, who are on their way back to Earth. Upon receiving a distress call from an unknown planet, they investigate and discover a mysterious alien life form in the form of an egg. This leads to the emergence of a deadly, aggressive alien creature that stalks, attacks, and kills the crew one by one. As the crew fights to survive, they must also work to prevent the alien from reaching their home planet, Earth. The film stars Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, the warrant officer of the ship, who is the only survivor and must face the alien alone. Alien has since become a classic and is widely regarded as one of the best science fiction films of all time.

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

WALL·E is a 2008 computer-animated science fiction film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and directed by Andrew Stanton. The film follows a robot named WALL·E, who is designed to clean up a wasteland left behind by humans. As he goes about his task, he occasionally collects trinkets, which he stores in his home. After hundreds of years, he meets a robot named EVE, and they form a friendship. The two embark on an epic journey that takes them across the galaxy, learning more about life, love, and the true meaning of home. Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters and face dangerous obstacles. In the end, WALL·E and EVE help humanity reclaim its home planet, allowing them to regain their lost humanity.

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

Aliens is a 1986 science-fiction horror film directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver. The film is a sequel to 1979's Alien and is the second installment in the Alien franchise. The plot follows Ellen Ripley (Weaver) as she returns to the planet where her crew encountered the hostile Alien creature, this time accompanied by a unit of space marines. After they discover the colonists are missing, they soon find themselves face to face with a new and even more dangerous breed of Aliens. In a desperate battle for survival, Ripley and the marines must battle the creatures and fight their way off the planet.

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

"2001: A Space Odyssey" is an epic science fiction film directed by Stanley Kubrick and released in 1968. It follows a voyage to Jupiter with the sentient computer HAL after the discovery of a mysterious black monolith affecting human evolution. The film is noted for its scientific realism, pioneering special effects, and ambiguous imagery. It is also noted for its minimal use of dialogue and sound, leaving much of the story open to interpretation. It has become one of the most influential films of all time and is widely regarded as one of Kubrick's best films.

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

Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, is a 1983 science fantasy film directed by Richard Marquand and the third installment in the original Star Wars trilogy. In the film, the Rebel Alliance, led by Luke Skywalker, seeks to destroy the Second Death Star and the Galactic Empire's evil leader, Emperor Palpatine. Luke struggles to balance his continued training in the Force with his confrontation with Darth Vader, who is now his father. Meanwhile, the Rebellion faces imminent destruction by the massive Imperial fleet. The Empire has been constructing another powerful battle station—the Death Star II—and the Rebel Alliance must find a way to destroy it before it is operational. The film also features the return of beloved characters from previous films, including Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and Lando Calrissian. In the epic finale of the trilogy, the Rebels and Imperial forces meet in a cataclysmic showdown, where the fate of the galaxy is ultimately decided.

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

The Martian is a 2015 science fiction movie directed by Ridley Scott, about an astronaut named Mark Watney who is stranded on Mars after a dust storm causes his crew to abort the mission and leave the planet. Stranded and alone, Watney must use all his skills and ingenuity to survive on an inhospitable planet while NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring him home. With limited resources and no way to contact Earth, Watney must find a way to signal his location to the outside world and stay alive long enough to be rescued. During his remarkable journey, Watney discovers strength and courage he never knew he possessed and forms an unexpected bond with the people working to save him.

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

Solaris is a 1972 Soviet science fiction drama film directed by Andrei Tarkovsky. Set in the distant future, the story follows a psychologist, Kris Kelvin, who journeys to an isolated space station orbiting the mysterious planet Solaris. The crew of the station have been experiencing a range of inexplicable phenomena, including visions of their past loved ones. Upon Kris' arrival, the planet begins to reveal its secrets to him, showing him visions of his own past and forcing him to confront his buried emotions. As Kris comes to understand the planet's nature, he attempts to communicate with it, in search of a resolution to the crisis. Solaris is a meditation on the nature of memory, loss, and identity, as Kris is forced to confront his innermost emotions and come to terms with his past.

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

Planet of the Apes is a classic science fiction film released in 1968, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. The film follows astronaut George Taylor (played by Charlton Heston), who finds himself in a strange world where apes are the dominant species and humans are their slaves. With the help of a sympathetic chimpanzee, Taylor embarks on a dangerous mission to discover the truth behind the mysterious planet and bring freedom to the human race. Along the way, he discovers a shocking truth that will forever change the way he views the universe. The film was a critical and commercial success, and has since become a beloved classic.

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

Guardians of the Galaxy is a 2014 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. Directed by James Gunn, the film stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, and Benicio del Toro. The film follows Peter Quill (Pratt), a human-alien hybrid, and his team of misfits, known as the Guardians of the Galaxy, as they battle to save the galaxy from a powerful villain, Ronan the Accuser. With the help of a powerful artifact known as the Infinity Stone, the Guardians must work together to protect the galaxy from Ronan's evil plans. Along the way, they also discover the truth about Peter's mysterious past. With its mix of humor, action, and heart, Guardians of the Galaxy is a thrilling adventure that has become a global phenomenon.

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

Star Trek is an action-adventure film directed by J.J. Abrams, released in 2009. It follows the early days of the original Enterprise crew, led by James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), and Dr. Leonard McCoy (Karl Urban). After being drawn into an intergalactic conflict with a vengeful Romulan from the future, the crew must use their courage and ingenuity to save the galaxy from destruction. Along the way, they explore strange new worlds and encounter a variety of aliens, forming strong bonds that will last a lifetime. In the end, the Enterprise crew must work together to stop the Romulan and protect Earth from destruction.

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

Moon is a science fiction film set in the year 2035, directed by Duncan Jones and starring Sam Rockwell. Astronaut Sam Bell (Rockwell) is nearing the end of his three-year contract on a lunar mining base, harvesting a precious resource that has saved Earth from certain destruction. But as his stint draws to a close, he experiences a series of strange and inexplicable visions that lead him to question his own identity, sanity and reality. He soon discovers a shocking truth that forces him into a desperate race against time to save himself, and his loved ones, from a future he never could have imagined.

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

October Sky is a coming-of-age drama based on the true story of Homer Hickam, Jr., a young man growing up in a small mining town in West Virginia during the 1950s. After witnessing the launch of the Soviet Sputnik satellite, Homer is inspired to pursue his dreams of becoming a rocket scientist, against the wishes of his father, a coal miner who wants his son to follow in his footsteps. With the help of his teacher and some fellow students, Homer builds and launches homemade rockets, facing numerous obstacles along the way. In the end, his hard work and dedication pay off, as he is accepted into a prestigious engineering school and eventually becomes a NASA engineer.

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

The Right Stuff is a 1983 American epic historical drama film based on Tom Wolfe's 1979 book of the same name about the early years of the U.S. space program, including the original seven Mercury astronauts. Set between 1958 and 1963, the film chronicles the early history of the U.S. space program, focusing on the test pilots of the time, their families, and the intense competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union to succeed in the first manned spaceflight. It stars Sam Shepard, Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, Fred Ward, Dennis Quaid and Barbara Hershey, and features narration by Burgess Meredith. The film follows the first seven astronauts selected to become the first Americans in space, known as the "Mercury Seven" as they undergo a grueling training program and compete to be part of the historic mission. Throughout the process, the astronauts come to understand the importance of their mission, and the impact it has on the entire nation. The film culminates with the launch of John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth. The Right Stuff celebrates the spirit of the astronauts and their dedication to the U.S. space program.

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

Serenity is a 2005 science fiction film set in the year 2517. Directed by Joss Whedon, it follows the crew of the spaceship Serenity as they travel through a lawless region of space. The crew consists of Captain Mal Reynolds, a former soldier; his second-in-command Zoe Washburne; pilot Hoban “Wash” Washburne; mechanic Kaylee Frye; Doctor Simon Tam; and his disturbed psychic sister River. They are pursued by a ruthless agent of the interplanetary government, determined to capture River to use as a weapon. As the crew fights for their lives and freedom, they discover the sinister secrets of the government's plans and the extraordinary abilities of River. In the end, the crew embarks on a daring mission to save River, protect the innocent, and stop the government's plans.

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

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens is a 2015 American space opera produced, co-written and directed by J.J. Abrams. The film stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, and Max von Sydow. Set approximately thirty years after the events of Return of the Jedi, the film follows Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron's search for Luke Skywalker and their fight alongside the Resistance, led by General Leia Organa, against Kylo Ren and the First Order, a successor to the Galactic Empire. The Force Awakens is the first installment in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, following Return of the Jedi, and is the seventh episode in the nine-part "Skywalker saga". The film was widely praised for its strong performances, visual effects, action sequences, score, and revitalization of the franchise. It grossed over $2 billion worldwide against its production budget of $245 million and broke numerous box office records, becoming the highest-grossing film of all-time in the United States, the highest-grossing film of all-time worldwide,

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

Avatar is a science fiction epic from director James Cameron. Set in 2154 on the moon Pandora, humans have come in search of a valuable mineral known as unobtanium. In order to mine this precious mineral, the humans have set up a military presence and must battle the indigenous Na'vi people who are intent on protecting their home. The story follows Jake Sully, a paraplegic ex-Marine, as he is assigned to infiltrate the Na’vi in an attempt to gain their trust. Through the help of the Na'vi princess, Neytiri, Jake is able to learn the ways of the Na'vi and eventually begins to understand their connection to their home and the planet. In the end, Jake must choose between his loyalty to the humans, or his bond with the Na'vi as they fight to protect their home.

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

Apollo 13 is a 1995 American space docudrama film directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, and Ed Harris. The film tells the story of the ill-fated 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission and is based on the book Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13 by astronaut Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger. After leaving Earth, an explosion on board the spacecraft severely damages its oxygen and power supply, forcing the crew to improvise in order to survive the perilous journey back to Earth. Despite the severity of their situation, the crew display remarkable resilience, ingenuity, and teamwork to make it home safely.

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

Gravity is a 2013 sci-fi drama directed by Alfonso Cuarón and starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. The film follows medical engineer Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) as she embarks on her first shuttle mission alongside veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (Clooney). However, their mission is quickly thrown off course when a debris field from a destroyed Russian satellite takes out their shuttle and sends them floating into the vast emptiness of space. With their lives and their mission hanging in the balance, Stone and Kowalsky must fight against limited oxygen, the extreme cold of space, and the unrelenting force of gravity in order to survive.

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

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is an action-packed science fiction adventure film directed by Nicholas Meyer and released in 1982. The film follows the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise led by Admiral James T. Kirk, on a mission to save the planet of Genesis from the revenge-seeking Khan Noonien Singh. After Khan escapes from a 15-year exile, he seeks revenge against Kirk for having defeated him in a prior battle. With the help of the Enterprise crew, Kirk must find a way to outwit Khan and save the planet from destruction. The film is filled with exciting special effects, thrilling space battles, and iconic characters.

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 final installment of the Star Wars prequel trilogy and George Lucas’s sixth film in the core Star Wars saga. The film follows Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side of the Force as he is seduced by the promises of power and revenge made by the Sith Lord, Darth Sidious. Anakin is cast out by the Jedi Order and becomes the Sith’s apprentice, Darth Vader. With the Galactic Republic on the brink of civil war, Obi-Wan Kenobi must face the evil of the Sith and save the galaxy from destruction. The fate of the galaxy is left in the hands of the one person who can ultimately prevent the destruction of the Jedi Order: Anakin Skywalker. With powerful new enemies and old friends, the final chapter in the Star Wars saga is one of the most spectacular, action-packed and emotionally charged of the series.

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

The Fifth Element is a science fiction film directed by Luc Besson and released in 1997. Set in the 23rd century, the movie follows the exploits of Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), a former special forces major turned cab driver, as he teams up with a mysterious woman named Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) to save the world from an ancient cosmic evil. Along the way, they enlist the help of an eccentric professor (Ian Holm) and a zany priest (Chris Tucker) in an effort to find the four mystical elements that can stop the impending doom. With the help of these allies, they must battle a powerful evil force while trying to unravel the secrets of Leeloo's past and save the world from destruction.

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 written and directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, and Francois Truffaut. The movie tells the story of Roy Neary, a man who is deeply affected after experiencing a close encounter with an unidentified flying object (UFO). Neary then experiences a series of inexplicable events that lead him, along with several other people, to a mysterious mountain in Wyoming, where they eventually discover a large alien craft that ultimately takes off into space. Along the way, Roy and the others must confront the difficult and often dangerous personal and governmental consequences of their encounter. The film was a major success, and was nominated for 8 Academy Awards, with Spielberg winning the Best Director Award.