Flight of the Navigator | Rotten Tomatoes

Flight of the Navigator

PG

Released Jul 30, 1986

1 hr. 29 min.

Kids & Family

Sci-Fi

Adventure

List

84%

31 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

This 1978 Disney adventure tells the story of 12-year-old David (Joey Cramer) who lives with his family in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. When he awakens from being accidentally knocked out in the forest near his home, he finds that eight years have passed. His family is overjoyed to have him back, but just as perplexed as he is by the fact that he hasn't aged. When a NASA scientist (Howard Hesseman) discovers a UFO nearby, David gets the chance to unravel the mystery and recover the life he lost.

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Critics Consensus

Bolstered by impressive special effects and a charming performance from its young star, Flight of the Navigator holds up as a solidly entertaining bit of family-friendly sci-fi.

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Aidan M

Haven't seen this in a while but I remember it was good

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/27/24

Full Review

Joel H

It's always a little scary to revisit favorites movies from your childhood. However, I'm happy to report that Flight of the Navigator still holds up after all these years. This movie is definitely geared towards children, but it's a solid science fiction story. I was also impressed with how well the 1986 visual effects held up today. Also, Joey Cramer is actually a pretty good little actor. I'm not sure if this would wow modern-day adults who didn't watch it as a child, but I still found it to be enjoyable and my kids, who watched it with me, were also engaged by David Freeman's unexpected adventure.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/12/24

Full Review

Leaburn O

A fun kid's movie about aliens and 80s tech being compatible and about a child who has a deep affection for gremlins. I may have missed the point if this whole thing but it kept me mildly interested for 90 minutes. A veritable classic of the 80s. Watched on Prime.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/21/23

Full Review

L S

Probably #1 to me when it comes to alien related cinema.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/16/23

Full Review

Andy H

I loved this one when it was new and revisited it for the first time in years. Happy to report it's aged well, primarily due to a solid script and earnest performances. This film came from a time when even kid's films treated us like we were intelligent and capable of sitting through a slow burn. In a 90 minute film, our hero doesn't board the spaceship until the halfway point, right around 45 minutes in. And the entire story benefits from this wait. The opening section for newcomers plays out as a fun little mystery with David trying to learn where he's been for 8 years. Once the onboard robot, Max, downloads David's memories he starts talking like Pee-Wee Herman (voiced by the actual guy) in what must have been memories David made watching 1986 TV at NASA because 1978 David would have no idea who Pee-Wee Herman was. That aspect goes a little overboard on the Pee-Wee, but doesn't hurt a sweet little family movie. Watching it as an adult, I found myself empathizing with his family more than I ever did as a kid. I found myself feeling what they must have felt to finally get their son back. It still works. Good films do. The planned reboot from Disney keeps suffering delays, but that's okay. In recent years (2023 as I write this) their films have taken a nose dive in terms of writing. It might be a blessing they've not applied their, uh, magic-free magic to this one. This film reminds us of a time when they were still putting out original stories and not afraid to take some creative risks. I hope Disney can get there again one day.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Over 35 years later and I remember watching this over 11 years ago A young boy David lives with his family in Florida but he’s sick of his little brother pestering him He trips while being in the woods falling into a coma for 8 years, after waking up he finds that things have changed from his parents not being in his house to his home being someone else’s to seeing he hasn’t aged a day It becomes gripping, curious, and attentive after the 1st 11 min; you are immersed in what is going on with this kid that somehow wakes up in the future and comes face-to-face with an alien ship/computer robot I just wasn't a fan of how cowardly the main kid acted throughout, he didn't seem brave enough until the last half Although I still love how he has to try and adapt to this new time era and on top of that shares a strange psychic connection with the ship's computer Him as the Navigator applies to both his role on the ship and its purpose and finding his way back to the love for his family These government scientists really come off as jerks seeking only the knowledge for their own purposes while holding David against his will I like the special effects are top of the line too and Sarah Jessica Parker while being a minor role is terrific as well And the last half is almost very heartbreaking It’s a sci-fi movie made for all families being cool but also heartwarming

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/03/23

Full Review

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Randal Kleiser

Director

Joey Cramer

David Freeman

Veronica Cartwright

Helen Freeman

Cliff DeYoung

Bill Freeman

Sarah Jessica Parker

Carolyn McAdams

Matt Adler

Jeff (16 years)

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Lee Siegel

Associated Press

Flight of the Navigator won't earn a place among Disney's classics. but it's a perfectly entertaining sci-fi movie that does a creditable job with the stale human-meets-alien theme.

Oct 25, 2018

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Tribune

When the film shifts into the action mode in its second half -- the flying saucer returns to aid in David`s rescue -- it becomes quite bright and lively.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 1, 2014

Full Review

Desmond Ryan

Philadelphia Inquirer

If there is more than a little something borrowed from Spielberg, Kleiser's movie is amiably undemanding entertainment that says the right things, albeit without great originality.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 1, 2014

Full Review

Kelechi Ehenulo

VultureHound

When you add up all the evidence, Flight of the Navigator remains one of the most underrated pinnacles of the sci-fi genre, a euphoric mix of pop culture nostalgia and feel-good entertainment.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 15, 2020

Full Review

William Wolf

Gannett News Service

Flight of the Navigator, the Disney studio's new movie aimed at children, has the warmed-over feeling of other time-travel yarns. But the story is snappily told and is sure to keep youngsters enthralled.

Nov 6, 2019

Full Review

Emmet Asher-Perrin

Tor.com

Flight of the Navigator is almost like two movies in one -- a creepy sci-fi mystery and a BFF road trip comedy all squished up together.

Jan 9, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

This 1978 Disney adventure tells the story of 12-year-old David (Joey Cramer) who lives with his family in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. When he awakens from being accidentally knocked out in the forest near his home, he finds that eight years have passed. His family is overjoyed to have him back, but just as perplexed as he is by the fact that he hasn't aged. When a NASA scientist (Howard Hesseman) discovers a UFO nearby, David gets the chance to unravel the mystery and recover the life he lost.

Director: Randal Kleiser
Screenwriter: Michael Burton, Matt McManus
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures, Viking Film, Producers Sales Organization
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Sci-Fi, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 30, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.2M
Sound Mix: Surround

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