9 Can’t-Miss Best Space Films to Get You Excited About Launch America

Author Brandon Plotnick

May 28th, 2020 2:46 PM

The pursuit of space has captivated nearly everyone at some point in their life. With NASA and SpaceX teaming up this week to launch humans into space from American soil for the first time in nine years, the mystique of reaching for the stars has been reinvigorated. After Wednesday’s scheduled Launch America was scrubbed due to weather, we started wanting a little more of a space fix with maybe some of the best space films.

There are so many great movies that keep us the most intrigued about space. So we put together the definitive countdown of best space films. And because this is our list, we also get to put our own arbitrary rules on what qualifies.

First off, we’re not including any of the traditional sci-fi films just generally set in space. So no Star Wars, Star Trek, Alien, Guardians of the Galaxy, etc. We want to focus on the quest for space. We also reserve the right to break this rule just because we really like certain films. It’s our list. Don’t like it? Deal with it. (Hopefully by just arguing with us on social media!)

So let’s get to the countdown of the absolute, no-doubt, best space films ever.

(P.S. You can watch the trailers for all these films down below the countdown. Enjoy!)

• 9. Moon (2009)

  Share

  Want to feel exclusion and desolation? Moon is the film for you! Sam Rockwell is brilliant as an astronaut wrapping up a three-year job on the dark side of the moon. This eerie space mystery deepens as hallucinations increase. It's a must-see. WATCH ON: Netflix, Amazon (rent)

• 8. Hidden Figures (2016)

  Share

  The journey into space had a number of unheralded heroes, and Hidden Figures dives into the story of three amazing African-American women, based on actual mathematicians at NASA. The movie won a number of awards, and helps show that it's not all about the astronauts. WATCH NOW: FX On Demand, Amazon (rent)

• 7. Apollo 13 (1995)

  Share

  A star-studded cast featuring Tom Hanks, Gary Sinise, Kevin Bacon and many others, set the tone of epic space films based on true stories. It brought the (slightly misquoted) famous line "Houston, we have a problem," into the cultural lexicon. A must-watch for fans of our journey to the moon. WATCH NOW: Starz Network, Amazon (rent)
• 6. Interstellar (2014)

  Share

  Matthew McConaughey leads this trippy future-set Christopher Nolan gem of a film. There's a lot of heartbreak, and a few scientific moments you'll have to pause and research a minute, but it's otherwise a remarkable film. WATCH NOW: FX On Demand, Amazon (rent)

• 5. First Man (2018)

  Share

  The story of Neil Armstrong has never been told in more gripping, intimate detail. Breaking down the mythology of the first man to walk on the surface of the moon, into a beautiful character study of a flawed human, First Man is truly brilliant. Most impressively though, is the remarkable attention to detail paid to the launch sequence of Apollo 11. Using actual video footage, mixed with breathtaking special effects, we truly feel Ryan Gosling's turn as Armstrong. WATCH NOW: Cinemax, Amazon (rent)

• 4. Gravity (2013)

  Share

  While Gravity is easily the most beautiful space film ever created (I mean, it has George Clooney and Sandra Bullock playing astronauts, what more do you need?), it's Bullock that makes this film absolutely remarkable. Her turn as one of the duo stranded in space after a space-walking accident is heartbreaking and powerful. Watching this in IMAX was the ultimate in "I never want to see this film again because it was too powerful" moments. Watch it as big and as loud as you can. It's a spectacle. WATCH NOW: Amazon (rent)
• 3. The Martian (2015)

  Share

  At some point we're going to have to admit that Matt Damon is truly one of the best actors of our generation. This is never more apparent than in this drama with strong comedic notes. Damon portrays an astronaut accidentally stranded on Mars, who must figure out how to create a life as he waits for somebody to come save him - assuming they can even figure out he's alive. It's gripping and remarkable in its scope, and as noted, Damon is fantastic in the lead role. WATCH NOW: FX On Demand, Amazon (rent)

• 2. WALL-E (2008)

  Share

  OK fine, we broke some rules here. But leaving WALL-E off any space film list is inexcusable. Truly one of the best animated films of all time, this harrowing journey for a lovable robot trying to find his new-found crush is amazing. It gets a little off the rails with a weird non-animated sequence at the end, but the first half of the film is some of the most astonishing animation work ever put on screen. WATCH NOW: Disney+, Amazon (rent)

• 1. Arrival (2016)

  Share

  Yes, we're breaking more rules with our No. 1 choice here. Arrival actually doesn't go to space at all. And it deals with aliens. But they come here instead. But the beauty of Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner's story in this remarkable film is worthy of the top spot. Every image on the screen and every sound made is flawless in this masterpiece. Be prepared though, it gets a little WTF with its final sequences. But it's so beyond worth it, and helps us realize that there's a life out there worth exploring. And we're thankful the crews from NASA and SpaceX are venturing us back out there to find out as much as we can about our universe and how it all comes together. WATCH ON: Amazon (rent)

Have The KML Corner Newsletter Delivered Directly To Your Inbox

Music and entertainment stories, Fayetteville happenings, exclusive contests, games, and more inside every newsletter.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.

Author Brandon Plotnick

Category:

• Local News
• Human Interest
• Interactive
• Lifestyle
• Movies
• Photos
• Pop Culture

Tags:

Apollo 13,Arrival,Crew Dragon,Douglas Hurley,Falcon 9,films,First Man,Gravity,Hidden Figures,International Space Station,Interstellar,Moon,Movies,NASA,Robert Behnken,Space,SpaceX,The Martian,WALL-E