Movies About 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 a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner. The second installment of the original Star Wars trilogy, it picks up three years after the events of the first film, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. After the Rebel Alliance is driven from their hidden base by the Galactic Empire, Luke Skywalker embarks on a journey to Dagobah to receive Jedi training from the legendary Jedi Master Yoda, while Han Solo and Princess Leia evade the Imperial fleet commanded by Darth Vader. Vader soon captures the Rebels on the planet Bespin, and while in pursuit of Luke, Vader reveals his true identity as Luke's father. Luke escapes, but is gravely injured by a Wampa. Yoda eventually trains Luke, who then confronts Vader in a lightsaber duel. During the duel, Vader reveals that he may be capable of redeeming himself from the dark side. In the end, the Rebels escape, and Luke chooses to remain with Yoda to complete his Jedi training.

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

Interstellar is a 2014 science fiction film directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine. The film follows a group of people as they travel through a wormhole in search of a new home for humanity due to a global famine caused by an ecological disaster. Along the way, they encounter strange and dangerous worlds, which test the limits of their strength and courage. The film features a strong emphasis on scientific accuracy, with the themes of time, love, sacrifice, and the power of human will all playing major roles. The film won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects, and was nominated for Best Original Score, Best Production Design and Best Visual Effects.

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

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope is a science fiction film directed by George Lucas and released in 1977. The film follows the journey of Luke Skywalker, a young farm boy on a quest to become a Jedi knight. Along the way, he teams up with two droids, a smuggler, and a princess, and together they face off against the evil Galactic Empire and its leader, Darth Vader. With the help of the Force and their newfound allies, Luke and his companions must save the galaxy from destruction. Along their journey, they discover the power of friendship, loyalty, and self-sacrifice, and ultimately must face Darth Vader in a final battle in order to save the galaxy from the Empire's tyranny.

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 from 1979. The story follows a commercial towing spacecraft, the Nostromo, and its crew as they are awakened from their stasis sleep to investigate a mysterious signal from an unknown planet. Upon arrival, the crew finds an abandoned alien spacecraft and a strange egg-like structure. After one of the crew members is attacked by a mysterious creature that has hatched from the egg, the crew soon discovers that the derelict spacecraft is home to a deadly and aggressive species of aliens. With the creature hunting them one by one, the remaining crew members struggle to survive as they attempt to find a way to destroy the alien and escape the planet alive.

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

WALL·E is a 2008 Pixar animated science fiction film directed by Andrew Stanton. The film follows the robot WALL·E, who is designed to clean up a waste-covered Earth far in the future. After hundreds of years of performing his job, WALL·E meets a search robot named EVE and falls in love with her. As they embark on a journey across the galaxy, WALL·E and EVE discover a new purpose in life and save humanity in the process. The film’s themes focus on environmentalism, consumerism, and the human condition. WALL·E received various awards and critical acclaim, and was the first animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

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. In the sequel to Ridley Scott's Alien, Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is rescued after drifting in space for 57 years. When contact is lost with a human colony on the planet LV-426, Ripley and a team of Colonial Marines are sent in to investigate. They soon find that the colony has been overrun by hordes of alien creatures and face a battle for survival against the deadly aliens. With the help of an android, the marines fight their way to the surface in the hope of escaping the planet before it is destroyed. Along the way they discover that the aliens are seeking a queen, which Ripley must confront if they are to survive.

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

2001: A Space Odyssey is a science fiction epic directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film follows a voyage to Jupiter with the sentient computer HAL after the discovery of a mysterious black monolith affecting human evolution. The film deals with themes of humanity, technology, and their intersection as well as themes of artificial intelligence, existentialism, and human evolution. The film follows a series of encounters between humans and mysterious aliens. It also features a series of surreal, almost dreamlike sequences set in outer space. The film's themes and visuals have been widely influential in both science fiction and mainstream cinema, and its title has been used to reference movies and other media. 2001: A Space Odyssey is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential films ever made.

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

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) is the epic conclusion of George Lucas’ original Star Wars saga. Directed by Richard Marquand, the story follows Luke Skywalker and his allies as they attempt to free Han Solo from the notorious crime lord Jabba the Hutt. Meanwhile, the Rebel Alliance continues to battle the Empire, ultimately leading to a confrontation between Luke and Darth Vader. As the battle intensifies, Luke must confront his destiny, facing off against the Emperor himself in an attempt to bring balance to the Force. With the help of his friends and the power of the Force, Luke succeeds in destroying the Empire and restoring peace to the galaxy.

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

The Martian is a 2015 science fiction adventure film directed by Ridley Scott and based on the novel of the same name by Andy Weir. It stars Matt Damon as astronaut Mark Watney, an astronaut presumed dead and left behind on Mars. Along with a team of other astronauts and scientists, Watney must use his ingenuity, resourcefulness and determination to survive on the hostile planet and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. With the aid of his crewmates, Watney is able to successfully devise a plan to contact Earth and is eventually rescued. He is celebrated as a hero among his colleagues and the world.

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

Solaris is a 1972 Soviet science fiction film directed by Andrei Tarkovsky. The film follows Kris Kelvin, a psychologist who is sent to a space station orbiting the mysterious planet Solaris to investigate the strange behaviour of the crew members. Upon arrival, he discovers that the crew has been experiencing strange visions and events, which they believe to be caused by the planet's ocean. As Kris delves deeper into the mystery of Solaris, he discovers that the ocean is in fact a sentient being, capable of creating physical manifestations of the crew's deepest and darkest emotions. As Kris struggles to comprehend the implications of this discovery, he begins to form a connection with a physical manifestation of his long-dead wife Hari, who has been created from his own memories and thoughts. Together, they explore the depths of the planet and ultimately discover the true nature of Solaris.

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, based on the novel of the same name by Pierre Boulle. The film stars Charlton Heston as an astronaut who crash-lands on a mysterious planet, ruled by apes who use a primitive version of human language. The apes view humans as animals, but Heston's character eventually leads a successful revolt against them. The film received critical acclaim, and spawned four sequels as well as a remake in 2001.

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, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, and Benicio del Toro. The film follows Peter Quill (Pratt), who was abducted from Earth by aliens as a child. He discovers an orb that is coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain. Quill forms an uneasy alliance with a group of cosmic misfits, calling themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy, in order to protect the orb from Ronan and his forces. The film also explores the conflict between Quill and his father, who is revealed to be an ancient being. Guardians of the Galaxy was a critical and financial success and was the most successful film of 2014. It was praised for its humor, visual effects, and soundtrack. The film grossed over $773 million worldwide and was nominated for two Academy Awards.

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

Star Trek (2009) is a sci-fi adventure set in an alternate reality created by director J.J. Abrams. The story follows the crew of the USS Enterprise as they explore the furthest reaches of space and battle a mysterious alien force that threatens the fate of the entire galaxy. Led by young captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), the crew must work together to stop this powerful enemy and find a way back home. Along the way, they must face off against a ruthless Romulan warlord, Nero (Eric Bana), who will stop at nothing to achieve his own nefarious ends. With a diverse cast of characters and spectacular special effects, Star Trek (2009) is an action-packed journey through the stars.

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

Moon is a science fiction film about an astronaut named Sam Bell who is nearing the end of a three-year contract to mine the moon for energy. He resides in an isolated, automated lunar base and is the only human there. He begins to experience strange phenomena and has visions of a woman who looks exactly like him. Through further investigation, Sam discovers that he is, in fact, a clone of the original Sam Bell, and that the robotic assistant Gerty, is part of a larger conspiracy to keep the cloning program a secret. Sam must then figure out how to escape the lunar base, and prevent his duplicates from ever being created.

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

October Sky is a 1999 drama directed by Joe Johnston, based on the memoir Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam. The film follows the story of Homer Hickam, a young man living in a small mining town in Appalachia in the late 1950s. Despite the obstacles of his background and environment, Homer finds himself inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1, the first satellite to be sent into space. He and his friends form a rocketry club and begin to create and launch rockets of their own, creating an unlikely bond and sparking a newfound ambition in the young man. With the guidance of an inspirational teacher, Homer pursues his dreams of becoming a rocket scientist, a path that leads him far away from his small town and the life that was expected of him. The film showcases the power of the human spirit and determination in the face of adversity.

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 about America's first attempts to launch a man into space. The story follows the original Mercury Seven astronauts, who were recruited by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1959 to become the first American astronauts. The film is based on the 1979 non-fiction book of the same name by Tom Wolfe, which tells the story of the early years of the U.S. space program. The film follows the astronauts as they endure grueling tests, deal with the celebrity thrust upon them, and prepare for the first mission into space. Along the way, the film explores the personalities and motivations of these men as they become America's first heroes. It also looks at their families and the impact the program had on them. The film stars Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, Sam Shepard, Fred Ward, Dennis Quaid, and Barbara Hershey.

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

Serenity is a sci-fi action adventure directed by Joss Whedon. The film follows Captain Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds and his rag-tag crew as they travel through space in their space ship Serenity. They are on the run from the sinister Alliance, a powerful interplanetary government. Mal and his crew are also pursued by a relentless and seemingly unstoppable enemy known as the Reavers. In a last-ditch effort to save themselves, Mal and his crew must travel to an uncharted planet to find a way to defeat the Reavers and the Alliance. Along the way, they are met with danger, mystery and betrayal as they fight for their lives and freedom.

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

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, directed by J.J. Abrams, is set approximately 30 years after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. The story follows Rey, a scavenger from the desert planet Jakku, Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, and Poe Dameron, a Resistance fighter pilot, as they join forces with Han Solo and Chewbacca to search for the missing Luke Skywalker, who has gone into hiding after the fall of the Galactic Empire. Along the way, they must fight against the First Order, a new military force formed from the ashes of the Empire, and their leader, Supreme Leader Snoke. They must also battle Kylo Ren, a powerful dark force user and the son of Han and Leia. The group must band together in order to save the galaxy from the tyranny of the First Order and find Luke before it is too late.

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

Avatar is a science fiction action film released in 2009 and directed by James Cameron. The film follows a paraplegic Marine, Jake, who is sent to the planet Pandora on a mission to help the humans in their battle against the native species, the Na'vi. Jake finds himself caught between two worlds and must choose between his loyalty to his own people and his newfound connection to the Na'vi. Through a process called “Avatar,” Jake is able to transfer his consciousness into a Na'vi body and fight alongside the natives in an effort to save their home from destruction. Along the way, Jake learns about the Na'vi's way of life and discovers inner strength he never knew he had. In the end, Jake makes the ultimate decision to save the Na'vi and protect their home. Avatar is an epic story of redemption and self-discovery, with stunning visuals and groundbreaking special effects.

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

Apollo 13 is a 1995 American historical docudrama directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, and Ed Harris. The film chronicles the Apollo 13 lunar mission of April 1970, which was interrupted after an oxygen tank exploded onboard the spacecraft. As a result, Jim Lovell (Hanks), Fred Haise (Paxton), and Jack Swigert (Bacon) were forced to abort their mission and make a harrowing journey back to Earth. With the help of the Mission Control team, they used their limited resources to make their way back home, despite the odds being stacked against them. The film is based on the book Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13 by Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger. The film depicts the struggles and triumphs of the three astronauts, as well as the efforts of Mission Control to bring them back safely.

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

Gravity is an intense, thrilling sci-fi drama directed by Alfonso Cuarón and starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. The movie follows the story of two astronauts, Dr. Ryan Stone and Matt Kowalski, who are on a routine mission in space when their shuttle is destroyed by debris from a destroyed satellite. The two are then left stranded in space, struggling to survive against the harsh environment and the ever-present threat of death. In their fight for survival, the two must find a way to get back to Earth and make it back alive. With its stunning visuals, intense action sequences, and emotional story, Gravity is a truly captivating film experience.

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

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is a 1982 American science fiction film directed by Nicholas Meyer and based on the 1960s television series Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry. The film follows Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) who is called upon to combat his old enemy Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalbán). Khan is searching for a powerful and dangerous device called the Genesis Device, which has the potential to completely obliterate a planet and its inhabitants. Kirk must defend his crew and the planet from this powerful enemy. The film also stars Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, and James Doohan, and features music by James Horner. The film was a critical and commercial success, and is considered one of the best films in the Star Trek franchise.

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 of George Lucas's Star Wars saga. With the Clone Wars raging, the Jedi are struggling to maintain control and protect the Republic. Meanwhile, the Sith Lord Darth Sidious is plotting to seize control and turn the Republic into the Galactic Empire. Anakin Skywalker, a young Jedi, is torn between his loyalty to the Jedi and his growing anger and fear. As Anakin's emotions draw him closer to the dark side, he is tempted by Darth Sidious's offer of power. Ultimately, Anakin turns away from the Jedi to join the Sith, becoming Darth Vader. With the Jedi Order nearly destroyed and the Republic in ruins, Darth Vader and Darth Sidious set out to conquer the galaxy. In a climactic battle between the Sith and the remaining Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi defeats Darth Vader and saves the galaxy from the dark side.

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

The Fifth Element is a 1997 sci-fi action-adventure film directed by Luc Besson, set in the 23rd century. The plot follows Korben Dallas, a former special forces major-turned-taxi driver, as he helps protect the world from an impending cataclysmic event, by teaming up with Leeloo, a mysterious woman from the distant past who holds the key to saving life on Earth. As they try to unravel the mystery of the Fifth Element and its connection to the ancient Egyptian Diva Plavalaguna, they must also contend with the evil Mr. Zorg and his henchmen, who are determined to obtain the element for their own sinister purposes. With the help of a wise priest and a wise-cracking alien, Korben and Leeloo must find a way to stop the impending disaster and save the world.

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 story focuses on Roy Neary, a lineman from Indiana who has a close encounter with an alien spacecraft while investigating a power outage. As he becomes increasingly obsessed with what he saw, his wife and children start to worry about his sanity. He meets a group of people who had similar experiences and ends up joining them on a journey to an alien meeting point deep in the Wyoming desert. There they encounter a huge mothership and make contact with the aliens. The aliens eventually depart, leaving Roy and the others in awe, but also with a sense of unresolved yearning.