The cosmos has fascinated us for centuries, and the first attempts to imagine what is hidden among the stars go far back in the past. Admittedly completely naïve, but the journey to the Moon (with a balloon!) Was already described by Cyrano de Bergerac in the 17th century, and still, long before the first human flight into space, the topic was covered by Juliusz Verne or HG Welles.
Movies about space and interstellar travel have been one of the most popular genres in sci-fi film for at least the last 40 years. We particularly love this genre as it gives us the opportunity to peak into the infinite and curiosity-feeding cosmos.
In this Chlorine listicle, we have compiled a list of 10 great space travel movies that are sure you keep your stuck to your seat.
10. The Martian | 2015 | 8/10 IMDB
Directed by Ridley Scott, this is a very entertaining film based on the novel of the same name by Andy Weir (author of “The Martian”).
While on the planet, the astronauts are faced with a devastating sandstorm and only the botanist, Mark Watney, survives. The crew has to leave immediately as the storm is still raging. Watney has been injured in the crash and is stranded on the planet with no supplies and no way to contact mission control. He must find a way to survive and find a way to be rescued. The film is a tense and entertaining adventure and very well done. Matt Damon is perfect in the leading role.
9. First Man | 2018 | 7.3 IMDB
Directed by Damien Chazelle, this biographical drama is about Neil Armstrong. The movie focuses on the years leading up to the Apollo 11 spaceflight that landed the first astronauts on the moon. It stars Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy as Neil and Janet Armstrong, and it is a very moving drama, with a strong focus on family and human relationships. It is very well made and the music perfectly sets the tone.
8. Apollo 13 | 1995 | 7.6 IMDB
Directed by Ron Howard, this is the story of the ill-fated flight of the Apollo 13, which suffered an equipment failure that caused it to lose oxygen and power resources. The film is based on the book Lost Moon by Jim Lovell, who was the commander of the mission. The film’s director Ron Howard commented, “I was so moved by the fact that this is the only true story of heroism I’ve ever seen in a movie.”
7. Alien | 1979 | 8.4/10 IMDB
Directed by Ridley Scott, in this classic of the science fiction genre, a spaceship crew is sent to investigate a distress signal from a distant planet. They find a ship with no life forms onboard and a strange egg-like structure. The crewmembers are unaware that the alien eggs have attached to them and are hatching. The alien parasite is a perfect organism that can change its metabolism to match that of its host. The alien is a creative nightmare and the film is a classic.
6. Star Wars | 1977 | 8.6/10 IMDB
Star Wars is a film franchise that started in 1977 with the film Star Wars. There were three more films produced in the series before the series was put on hold for the next 20 years. There were also three films produced in the series after the original trilogy, which were considered prequels. These films were released in 1999, 2002, and 2005.
The films are set in a fictional galaxy and follow the adventures of various characters. The films feature many different characters, but the main characters are Anakin Skywalker and Luke Skywalker. The films are centered on a struggle between good and evil. The films have been called science-fiction, action, adventure, and fantasy, but I prefer to call them space opera. I think they are great films, but they are not suitable for everyone.
5. Star Trek: First Contact | 1996 | 7.6/10 IMDB
In “First Contact” the Borg have invaded Earth and have conquered it in the space of a few hours. The Enterprise is sent back to Earth to stop them but they arrive just in time to see the Borg begin assimilation of Earth. The crew of the Enterprise is able to destroy the Borg ship but not before it launches a probe on a course for Earth.
The crew of the Enterprise pursues the probe and is able to destroy it before it reaches Earth but the Enterprise is damaged in the process and is forced to make a crash landing on Earth. The crew out of necessity takes refuge on Earth and assists in the resistance against the Borg. This is a great film that takes the Borg from their original role of just being a villain to a super-powerful force that is an intergalactic threat. It is a great story and is a great action film.
4. Silent Running | 1972 | 6.7/10 IMDB
Silent Running is an excellent science fiction film and has a great story. The film is about the last remaining forests on Earth which have been contained in three space stations in orbit around the planet. The forests are the last hope of the plant life in the universe as the rest of the planets have been destroyed by nuclear wars.
The crew of the space stations is to maintain the forests and to clear away space junk that could damage the space stations. The film tells the story of the last remaining forests and the crew of the space station that is charged with looking after them. This is an excellent film and is a great example of what can be done with a small budget. If you are not a fan of science fiction this film is still a great one to see as the plot is not a science fiction plot but a story about human relationships.
3. Sunshine | 2007 | 7.2/10 IMDB
Sunshine is an excellent film with a great story. The film is about a crew of a spaceship charged with delivering a nuclear bomb to reignite our dying sun. The crew consists of five individuals who are going through various stages of the grief cycle. The film is an examination of the human condition and in particular the way that humans deal with the death of a loved one. This is a pretty heavy film and does not have a happy ending. I recommend this film to everyone who is not afraid of a little bit of thinking.
2. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy | 2005 | 6.7/10 IMDB
This is a film based on the popular book by Douglas Adams. The book and the film are great examples of science fiction satire. The film is about Arthur Dent who is saved from the demolition of his home by Ford Prefect, a hitchhiker. The pair are transported to the planet of Magrathea where they discover the purpose of the planet which is to construct planets for wealthy customers. The pair then accompany an alien to Earth to prevent the Earth from being destroyed by a nuclear missile. The film is a great light-hearted satire on bureaucracy, well worth seeing.
1. Ikarie XB-1 | 1963 | 7/10 IMDB
Ikarie XB1 is a Czechoslovakian science fiction film from 1963. It is based on a novel of the same name. This film has been described as a “cult classic“. It concerns the crew of a spaceship that is sent to try and save a doomed planet by finding a new planet to support the remaining population. The ship is capable of interstellar travel and has a crew of scientists and a crew of pilots. The crew consists of a Russian, a French, and an American and are accompanied by a robot. The film is an excellent science fiction film and is a great piece of Cold War–era science fiction. A very unique film, you will not see anything like this.