10 best films about space exploration

Space exploration films have the power to appeal to audiences more than many other genres because they speak to the deep human sense of wonder and apprehension. As the world becomes more connected and less mysterious, outer space represents the few remaining mysteries in our universe. The scale of the cosmos lends itself to stories of optimism and despair, and space exploration films can be science fiction or more realistic dramas.

1902 A trip to the moon shows that space exploration has been part of science fiction cinema since the beginning of cinema. Although films have become longer, more complex, and more sophisticated since the days of Georges Méliès, the basic idea that space holds unexplored riches and strange creatures is the same. The best space exploration films can inspire a sense of awe and majesty, but they must also tell a grounded human story.

10

Astra Ad (2019)

Ad Astra deserves more love

Astra Ad was a box office disappointment in 2019 and received some mixed reviews. It may have arrived too late in the astronaut movie boom of the 2010s and doesn't offer the same adrenaline-pumping thrills as many similar films. However, Astra Ad is an excellent slow burn for fans who can resonate on the same wavelength. It's not for everyone, but it's a scary, atmospheric film that lingers in the mind.

Astra Ad is still underrated and deserves more fans who can appreciate it for what it is. References to 2001: A Space Odyssey are clear, but it is also inspired by Joseph Conrad's book Heart of Darkness. Astra Ad synthesizes these two influences into a futuristic story that still feels timeless and deeply human. Brad Pitt gives a subtle but captivating performance as a man who ventures into the cosmos to find his father.

9

Gravity (2013)

Gravity is an exciting spectacle

Gravity It was a huge box office success and is the kind of film that is best enjoyed on the biggest screen available. A portion of GravityThe film's success can be attributed to the fact that it emerged at the height of the 3-D viewing craze and utilized the technology for maximum impact. Sandra Bullock stars as an astronaut who must improvise to survive alone in space after a catastrophe kills her crew.

Alfonso Cuarón maintains the frenetic pace throughout the game Gravity, and he helps create an engaging atmosphere as Bullock's character faces one potentially fatal setback after another. It's a survival film of rare spectacle and grace, but it lasts about 90 minutes, so it ends in a dizzying flash. Scientific accuracy often exceeds the limits of credibility, but this does not diminish the entertainment value it provides. Gravity has to offer.

8

Solaris (1972)

Tarkovsky's thought-provoking masterpiece is more powerful than ever

Solaris is based on the seminal science fiction novel by Stanisław Lem, which also received an English-language adaptation starring George Clooney in 2002. While this version has its merits, Andrei Tarkovsky's 1972 original is generally seen as superior. It's a seductive story about human nature and reality that uses its science fiction conceit to explore everyday philosophical conundrums that everyone encounters.

Tarkovsky Solaris It's not designed to please everyone. It's too heavy and introspective for that. However, its slow pace and thoughtful ambiguity mean it is still deeply rewarding 50 years later. This helps this Solaris It's also beautiful to see without indulging in stargazing. It takes place on a spaceship orbiting a distant planet, but Solaris reshapes the Earth and the human experience so that audiences can see them with new eyes.

7

Hidden Figures (2016)

Hidden figures tell an important story with intelligence and warmth

Films about astronauts and space exploration often focus on white men because these characters reflect the most famous real-life astronauts. However, this image tends to ignore the contributions of women and people of all other races. Hidden figures attempts to correct this oversight by telling the story of a group of real-life black women who worked at NASA in the 1960s.

Hidden figures tells an important story, but does so with enough creativity and heart to remain entertaining throughout. Much of its appeal is due to the excellent cast. Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe deliver some of their best performanceswhile Kevin Costner shines in a supporting role. Hidden figures is full of gorgeous retro charms, but it also offers a more realistic portrayal of the era that doesn't gloss over the inequities of American society.

6

Apollo 13 (1995)

Ron Howard's real-life space story is more exciting than fiction

Apollo 13 tells the true story of a group of NASA astronauts who had to reroute their lunar mission after an oxygen tank exploded in their capsule. It's one of the most tense and emotional chapters in NASA's history, and Ron Howard's film tries to stick to the facts as much as possible. This means that much of the dialogue is taken directly from the mission transcripts.

Apollo 13 has often been praised for its accuracy, both historically and scientificallyand this helps create an immersive atmosphere in Howard's claustrophobic thriller. Tom Hanks is in great form as Jim Lovell, but the rest of the cast is equally important. Apollo 13 It's a smart film that knows how to emphasize the tension of its story, and proves that real-life space exploration can be even more exciting than heightened science fiction.

5

The Martian (2015)

Ridley Scott balances comedy and drama perfectly

The Martian was a controversial winner of the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, as some critics felt it shouldn't even be eligible for the category. There is nothing funny about the plot of The Martianin which an astronaut is left alone on Mars after his crew leaves, but there are moments of comedy throughout the film. Matt Damon's charming performance is a key element of this.

The Martian is one of Ridley Scott's best films, although it is decidedly more upbeat than the science fiction films that established his reputation as a master of the genre, Foreigner and Blade Runner. The Martian is a life-affirming dramedy that speaks to the potential of large-scale collaboration. This is something space exploration has always emphasized and it's inspiring to see The Martianportrait of human unity.

4

Interstellar (2014)

Christopher Nolan's big-screen spectacle just keeps getting better

Christopher Nolan has developed a reputation as a master of spectacular, cerebral blockbusters. Few directors can get such large audiences to grapple with complex stories and lofty themes, but Nolan's films are often packed with popular actors, stunning cinematography, and intense action to give them broad appeal. Interstellar is a quintessential Nolan film and encapsulates much of what makes him a unique director.

InterstellarThe unorthodox time travel plot and its deeper meaning give it plenty of rewatch value, as do the tense space travel scenes. As with many of Nolan's films, there is a great cast, with Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Matt Damon all in top form. They provide the human element to a film that might otherwise stray into fantasy territory. InterstellarThe company's reputation continues to improve every year.

3

WALL-E (2008)

Pixar's sci-fi adventure is as dazzling as the live action

WALL-E is one of Pixar's most ambitious films for a few reasons, mainly because the main character is a silent robot and there are no words spoken for an extremely long time. This puts extra emphasis on visual storytelling and atmosphere. Somehow, WALL-E excels on both counts, delivering moments of humor and deep pathos with incredibly restrictive techniques.

WALL-E is without a doubt one of the best animated films of all timeand proves that animation has as much emotionally resonant power as live action. Robots are nicer than humans in WALL-E, suggesting that technological dependence can strip humanity of its true essence and that space exploration should not overshadow concerns linked to Earth. It's a stunning technical marvel that also offers a lot to think about for a children's film. As Pixar increases its production of sequels, WALL-E it seems likely to remain a standalone film, but it shouldn't be forgotten.

2

Foreigner (1979)

The sci-fi horror classic still impresses

Many films about space exploration present an optimistic vision of reaching into the unknown and working together to overcome the impossible. Foreigner reflects on the potential horrors of the cosmos, the arrogance of humanity, and the oppressive brutality of large corporations. Influenced sci-fi horror films for decadesbut it still holds up today, despite being imitated and blatantly stolen.

Ridley Scott's tense, edgy horror works so well because the alien is constantly changing shape. It is an enigmatic force of destruction with malice reaching its core, as seen by its corrosive blood. Subsequent Foreigner the films never managed to recapture the shock of the first film in the franchise. The terrible added layer is that the Weyland-Yutani Corporation sends its workers to capture the alien without informing them of the danger.

1

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Stanley Kubrick changed the game for space exploration films

Almost every other film on this list owes a debt to Stanley Kubrick 2001: A Space Odyssey. It helped shape the space exploration genre more than any other film, both aesthetically and in terms of thematic exploration. Some allusions to 2001 are obvious, as WALL-Eartificially intelligent villain or Astra AdThe journey through the solar system hits the same stops. Other films just take advantage of the atmosphere and sparse composition of the outer space scenes.

2001: A Space Odyssey opens at the dawn of humanity, linking space exploration to other seismic evolutionary leaps. To recreate this feeling, the story ends with the emergence of new possibilities and meanings that can barely be understood. Some of the 2001The film's most startling images—like the multicolored wormhole, the sterile hotel room at the end of the universe, and the giant space baby—aren't meant to be interpreted as much as they are meant to be felt. Kubrick is smart enough not to predict the future, but 2001 it is timeless in its ambiguity, a potent cocktail of intrigue and fear.