The Best Movies About Astronauts & Realistic Space Travel
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- 1Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin BaconApollo 13, a gripping space docudrama, chronicles the real-life, perilous lunar mission of 1970. The film features astronaut Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), command module pilot Ken Mattingly (Gary Sinise), and flight director Gene Kranz (Ed Harris). When an oxygen tank explodes, the spacecraft's crew must abort their moon landing, transforming their mission into a struggle to return home safely. Directed by Ron Howard, Apollo 13 masterfully blends historical accuracy with cinematic suspense. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards in 1996, underscoring its significant impact on the genre of true-story films.More Apollo 13
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- 2Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain
Check out more shows and movies like Interstellar!
In Interstellar, humanity's survival hangs in the balance. Former NASA pilot Joseph Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) is tasked with navigating the cosmos to find a new home for mankind. Astronaut Amelia Brand (Anne Hathaway) accompanies him on this perilous journey through wormholes and across galaxies. Directed by Christopher Nolan, this sci-fi epic won an Academy Award for its stunning visual effects. A tale of exploration and sacrifice, it underlines the power of love as a force transcending space and time.More Interstellar- #67 of 252 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
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- 3Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen WiigIn The Martian, astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet Mars. A violent storm separates him from his crew, who presume him dead and depart. Armed with ingenuity, limited supplies, and an unyielding spirit, Watney must utilize science to survive while attempting to signal Earth that he is alive. Back home, teams at NASA and international scientists collaborate tirelessly to bring the Martian home in a race against time. This riveting survival tale is set within the vast, desolate expanse of a distant world, presenting an engaging blend of science fiction and drama. The film garnered seven Academy Award nominations including Best Picture.More The Martian
- 4Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William SylvesterIn Stanley Kubrick's groundbreaking film 2001: A Space Odyssey, Dr. Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea) and his crew embark on a mysterious journey to Jupiter, guided by their ship's artificially intelligent computer, HAL 9000 (voiced by Douglas Rain). This epic science fiction masterpiece, which won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, explores themes of evolution, technology, artificial intelligence and the unknown. The movie is renowned for its realistic depiction of space travel and innovative special effects, providing a visually stunning cinematic experience that captivated audiences worldwide.
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- 5Sam Shepard, Scott Glenn, Ed HarrisIn the gripping epic, The Right Stuff, viewers are thrust into the thrilling world of the U.S. space program. The story chronicles the lives of seven brave pilots turned astronauts (Scott Glenn, Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid, and others) who become the Mercury Seven, America's first space travelers. Based on Tom Wolfe's best-selling book, this saga reveals their grueling training and their daring exploits. A captivating blend of historical drama and adventure, it won four Academy Awards, including Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing. This film is a testament to human determination and ingenuity in the face of the unknown.More The Right Stuff
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- 6Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason ClarkeHoping to reach the moon by the end of the decade, NASA plans a series of extremely dangerous, unprecedented missions in the early 1960s. Engineer Neil Armstrong joins the space program, spending years in training and risking his life during test flights. On July 16, 1969, the nation and world watch in wonder as Armstrong and fellow astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins embark on the historic Apollo 11 spaceflight.
- 7Sam Rockwell, Dominique McElligott, Kaya ScodelarioMoon is a captivating science fiction drama, the directorial debut of Duncan Jones. The film features Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), stationed alone on a lunar base for a three-year stint. As his tenure nears its end, he starts to grapple with disturbing experiences, questioning his reality. GERTY (voiced by Kevin Spacey), an AI assistant, is his only companion during this ordeal. A gripping exploration of isolation and identity, Moon won the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation in 2010. It's a cerebral journey that challenges viewers without relying on flashy special effects.More Moon
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- 8Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, James WoodsIn Contact, Dr. Eleanor Arroway (Jodie Foster) is a dedicated scientist, steadfast in her search for extraterrestrial intelligence. She toils away at the SETI program, scouring the cosmos for signs of life. Her relentless pursuit finally pays off when she intercepts a mysterious message from outer space. Matthew McConaughey stars as Palmer Joss, a spiritual man who challenges Arroway's scientific worldview. As Arroway deciphers the enigmatic communique, she embarks on an extraordinary journey that tests her faith in science and humanity. This gripping sci-fi drama directed by Robert Zemeckis was nominated for multiple awards including an Academy Award for Best Sound.More Contact
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- 9Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Ed HarrisIn the gripping, award-winning sci-fi thriller Gravity, Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is a medical engineer on her first shuttle mission in space with seasoned astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney). Suddenly, a catastrophic disaster strikes their shuttle, leaving them tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling into the dark void. With depleting oxygen and dwindling hope, Stone must find a way back to Earth. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, this visually stunning film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Director. It's a tense survival story set against the infinite expanse of outer space.More Gravity
- 10Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle MonáeHidden Figures is an inspiring drama that recounts the untold story of three African-American women working at NASA during the 1960s Space Race. Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. A stirring exploration of race, gender, and scientific innovation, this film illuminates their pivotal roles in a monumental event. Having won multiple awards, Hidden Figures is a testament to these unsung heroes whose calculations helped catapult mankind into space.
- 11Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Michael SheenOn a routine journey through space to a new home, two passengers, sleeping in suspended animation, are awakened 90 years too early when their ship malfunctions. As Jim and Aurora face living the rest of their lives on board, with every luxury they could ever ask for, they begin to fall for each other, unable to deny their intense attraction until they discover the ship is in grave danger. With the lives of 5,000 sleeping passengers at stake, only Jim and Aurora can save them all.More Passengers
- 12Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald SutherlandClint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland and James Garner star as a group of pilots whose time has come to serve their country and fulfill their dream of going to space. In 1958, the members of Team Daedalus, a group of top Air Force test pilots, were ready to serve their country as the first Americans in space. When NASA replaced the Air Force for outer atmospheric testing, they were pushed aside for a chimpanzee. The team retired, but the dream of going into space never died.More Space Cowboys
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- 13Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Kathleen QuinlanIn the sci-fi horror film Event Horizon, a rescue mission in 2047 takes an eerie turn. Captain Miller (Laurence Fishburne) and his crew, aboard the Lewis and Clark, are sent to investigate a distress signal from the Event Horizon, a ship long thought lost. Dr. Weir (Sam Neill), creator of the missing vessel, accompanies them. As they delve into the cold void of space, they uncover not only the fate of the Event Horizon's original crew but also an unholy terror that defies human comprehension. Despite its technological marvels, this journey reveals a chilling truth: some boundaries are better left unbroken.
- 14Roy Scheider, John Lithgow, Helen MirrenBrave explorers are headed for the far reaches of the galaxy in the continuation of the story that began with "2001: A Space Odyssey." Their destination is Jupiter, where the Russian and American astronauts will conduct their investigation. Drs. Heywood Floyd (Roy Scheider), Walter Curnow (John Lithgow) and R. Chandra (Bob Balaban), along with shipmates Tanya (Helen Mirren) and Dave (Keir Dullea), aim to uncover what led to disaster for the deceased astronauts who preceded them.More 2010
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- 15Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, Rose ByrneIn the sci-fi thriller Sunshine, physicist Robert Capa (Cillian Murphy) and his diverse team of astronauts embark on a daring mission to reignite the dying sun. Set in 2057, this gripping narrative follows their perilous journey aboard spaceship Icarus II. Driven by an urgent need to save Earth from an eternal winter, the crew, including the stoic Mace (Chris Evans), faces unimaginable challenges that test their resolve and unity. Directed by Danny Boyle, the film is a compelling exploration of survival and sacrifice against a backdrop of cosmic terror.More Sunshine
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- 16
Europa Report
Sharlto Copley, Michael Nyqvist, Christian CamargoWhen unmanned probes suggest that a hidden ocean and single-celled life exists on one of Jupiter's moons, six astronauts embark on an ill-fated exploratory mission.More Europa Report- #4 of 12 onThe Best Space Movies Streaming on Hulu
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- 17Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Liv TylerIn Armageddon, a NASA executive (Billy Bob Thornton) recruits a ragtag team of drillers, led by Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis), to save the world from an approaching asteroid. Meanwhile, Grace Stamper (Liv Tyler), Harry's daughter, is romantically involved with A.J. Frost (Ben Affleck), one of the team members. This action-packed sci-fi thriller, directed by Michael Bay, intertwines elements of suspense and drama as humanity's last hope embarks on a high-stakes space mission. The film won multiple awards for its visual effects and original song I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith.More Armageddon
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- 18Gary Sinise, Tim Robbins, Don CheadleThe first manned mission to Mars in 2020 ends in disaster when three of the crew are seemingly killed and the fourth, Luke Graham (Don Cheadle), is stranded with no way to contact Earth. Jim McConnell (Gary Sinise), Woody Blake (Tim Robbins), Phil Ohlmyer (Jerry O'Connell) and Terri Fisher (Connie Nielsen) are sent on a rescue mission to rescue any survivors and find out what happened. The team uncovers startling evidence that Mars may not be a dead planet after all.More Mission to Mars
- 19Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth NeggaThirty years ago, Clifford McBride led a voyage into deep space, but the ship and crew were never heard from again. Now his son -- a fearless astronaut -- must embark on a daring mission to Neptune to uncover the truth about his missing father and a mysterious power surge that threatens the stability of the universe.
- 20Bruce Dern, Cliff Potts, Ron RifkinAfter the end of all botanical life on Earth, ecologist Freeman Lowell (Bruce Dern) maintains a greenhouse on a space station in order to preserve various plants for future generations. Assisted by three robots and a small human crew, Lowell rebels when he is ordered to destroy the greenhouse in favor of carrying cargo, a decision that puts him at odds with everyone but his mechanical companions. Lowell and his robots are forced to do anything necessary to keep their invaluable greenery alive.
- 21Anatoly Solonitsyn, Natalya Bondarchuk, Jüri JärvetSolaris is a 1972 Russian science fiction art film adaptation of Polish author Stanisław Lem's novel Solaris. The film was co-written and directed by Andrei Tarkovsky. The film is a meditative psychological drama occurring mostly aboard a space station orbiting the fictional planet Solaris. The scientific mission has stalled because the skeleton crew of three scientists have fallen into separate emotional crises. Psychologist Kris Kelvin travels to the Solaris space station to evaluate the situation only to encounter the same mysterious phenomena as the others. The original science fiction novel is about the ultimate inadequacy of communication between humans and other species. Tarkovsky's adaptation is a “drama of grief and partial recovery” concentrated upon the thoughts and the consciences of the cosmonaut scientists studying Solaris' mysterious ocean. In loyalty to the novel's complex and slow-paced narrative, Tarkovsky wanted to bring a new emotional and intellectual depth to the genre, viewing most of western science fiction as shallow. The ideas which Tarkovsky tried to express in this film are further developed in Stalker.More Solaris
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- 22Gregory Peck, Richard Crenna, James FranciscusAmerican astronauts Buzz (Gene Hackman), Jim (Richard Crenna) and Clayton (James Franciscus) are stranded in space on their return journey from a new space station when malfunctioning rocket boosters bring the craft to a halt. With the men drifting in orbit, facing death from declining oxygen levels in the shuttle, NASA director Charles Keith (Gregory Peck) quickly mobilizes to launch a bold rescue mission -- but a hurricane headed for the launch site may ensure the astronauts' demise.
- 23Val Kilmer, Carrie-Anne Moss, Tom SizemoreMission Commander Kate Bowman is the pilot and commander of the most important mission of the 21st century: saving the human race. It's 2050, earth is dying, and colonizing Mars is the only alternative to obliteration. Bowman and her crew have made this journey to investigate what went wrong with the malfunctioning Mars Terraforming Project, and to repair it. But what happens when they get there is far more terrifying than anyone could have guessed.More Red Planet
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- 24Johnny Depp, Charlize Theron, Joe MortonWhen astronaut Spencer Armacost (Johnny Depp) returns to Earth after a mission that nearly cost him his life, he decides to take a desk job in order to see his beautiful wife, Jillian (Charlize Theron), more often. Gradually, Jillian notices that Spencer's personality seems to have changed, but her concerns fade when she discovers that she's pregnant. As Jillian grows closer to becoming a mother, her suspicions about Spencer return. Why does it seem as if he's a different person?
- 25Billy Bob Thornton, Virginia Madsen, Bruce DernCharles Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton), a rancher who once trained to be an astronaut, decides to fulfill a lifelong dream: He builds a rocket in his barn and plans to pilot it into space. Though he faces foreclosure on his ranch, the disbelief of his neighbors and threats from the government, Charles remains determined to reach for the stars.
- 26
Stowaway
Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Toni ColletteA three-person crew on a mission to Mars faces an impossible choice when an unplanned passenger jeopardizes the lives of everyone on board. - 27Lloyd Owen, Warren Christie, Ryan RobbinsApollo 17 was the last U.S.-sponsored lunar voyage -- or was it? Hours of found footage, classified for decades, point to a subsequent moon mission -- Apollo 18 -- that ended very badly. Astronauts John Grey (Ryan Robbins), Nathan Walker (Lloyd Owen) and Benjamin Anderson (Warren Christie), on a mission to install radar scanners, discover a Soviet space capsule nearby. The men also discover a dead cosmonaut, and unfortunately for them, learn how he died.
28Salyut 7
Vladimir Vdovichenkov, Pavel Derevyanko.- 29Liev Schreiber, Elias Koteas, Romola GaraiAstronauts (Liev Schreiber, Elias Koteas, Romola Garai) on Mars contend with a microbe that turns those it infects into zombielike killers.
- 30
Approaching The Unknown
Mark Strong, Luke Wilson, Sanaa Lathan
