Space-related films: a list of the very best

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Not only scientists and researchers are engaged in the exploration of the vast expanses of our space, but filmmakers around the world willingly create masterpieces in this genre, despite the fact that films about space can be both adventure and dramatic.

The purpose of our article is to tell you about the best films related to space; the most exciting and intriguing ones you may have heard about but haven't watched yet. Fasten your seat belts, we're starting.

How it all started

No, George Lucas's Star Wars certainly didn't pioneer the genre. They just came at the right time and place, so they are considered classics today. The Americans, who saw the picture first, were indescribably delighted, and many later our compatriots also managed to get acquainted with the Jedi Knights. Does Star Wars (1977) make it into the best space movies? Definitely! Few people know that the director had a hard time coaxing the studio into a budget of $11 million. The producers did not regret, although they were skeptical. Profitamounted to more than 775 million, and Lucas was called a legend. The film paved the way for such stars as Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford.

To be continued

With a success of this magnitude - the Star Wars saga's army of fans in the world today numbers millions of fans - three years later, a sequel called "The Empire Strikes Back" was released. The next part, which can be included in films related to space, was directed by Irwin Kershner, which did not affect either the box office or the wild popularity. On the contrary, two nominations and two Oscar statuettes.

In 1983, a new episode appeared on the screens. Return of the Jedi directed by Richard Marquand, and again - awards and nominations, worldwide success.

The continuation of the story resulted in the next few parts, to which, in particular, George Lucas returned. His last film in the saga is 2005's Revenge of the Sith. The most recent part is called “Han Solo: Star Wars. Stories” was released in May 2018.

In 2008, Stargate: Continuum was released on video. It was a free interpretation of Martin Wood, having a distant relation to the main saga. The audience noted the high level at which the film was created, as well as the unusual presentation of the material, including the musical accompaniment. The main character Ba'al, played by Cliff Simon, turned out to be an interesting, bright character, on whose charisma the whole picture rests.

A new look at the problemhumanity

This picture, which started a year before the start of filming, has become the most anticipated. Interstellar, a 2014 film, is about a group of scientific researchers who must go into space to explore new expanses and find a solution to how the world can cope with drought…

Steven Spielberg oversaw the project for a long time and worked on the script with Jonathan Nolan. And he, in turn, attracted his brother Christopher, who later became the director. Critics consider this picture the best work of Christopher, who knows how to "open new horizons in a language accessible to the viewer." Hence the Oscar award and unconditional success.

The story of the main characters, who went on a dangerous journey at their own risk, was filled with “simple” drama, because according to the plot, their closest people were waiting for their return here on Earth… If you somehow missed the release, remember: “Interstellar” is a movie (2014) that will not leave the audience indifferent.

Power of attraction

Alfonso Cuarón and George Clooney write the story of Ryan Stone, Ph. D., who is about to embark on her first ever space trip, where she meets a veteran astronaut who ends her career with this flight. But the destruction of the ship leads to the fact that the main characters are left face to face with the vast expanses of space, without any hope of communication and salvation from Earth…

With a budget of $100 million, "Gravity" (2013), which we deservedly classify as "Space-related films", brought the creators seven times more profit. And seven more Oscar statuettes.

From the anime to the big screen

It is unlikely that anyone could have imagined that the 1974 anime called “Space Cruiser Yamato” would become so popular a couple of decades later that its plot would be the basis of a feature film. Pictures made in Japan rarely receive a world premiere. However, 2199: A Space Odyssey (2010) appeared in many European countries and was shown as part of the program of some festivals. Takashi Yamazaki is known in his native country more for TV shows, but he managed to raise the level of full-length fiction to a new level.

What is this movie about? The plot tells about the battleship "Yamato", set off to explore Iskander, the last of the remaining planets, where you can find salvation for the Earth …

From cradle to death

Introducing Alien to the world in 1979, Ridley Scott hasn't forgotten about his favorite genre of fantastic thriller, the plot of which takes place somewhere in the vast expanses of the universe. In the film “Prometheus” (2012), he sends a group of researchers for new knowledge. Their goal is an unknown planet, information about which was secretly left to us by our ancestors. Why was this done? How unusual can surprise an unexplored place? At first glance, the planet seems quite friendly, while the mainthe heroes do not meet the creepy inhabitants that populate this space territory…

Prometheus deservedly falls into the category of “Space-related films” - an interesting and tense plot, large-scale scenery and special effects (Oscar nomination), box office success and public recognition.

By the way, the director is known for his love for everything large-scale, and, as a rule, he shoots his films with great scope and authenticity. As a lover of space themes, Scott should note two more films shot later in the same genre - "The Martian" (2015) and "Alien: Covenant" (2017). Bravo once again, Maestro Ridley Scott.

How old robbers saved humanity

As a tribute to the elderly, who still have "gunpowder in the flasks", in 2000 Clint Eastwood presented his new work "Space Spartans" to the audience. The action takes us back to the distant 50s, telling about a team of pilot friends who were chosen to be the first to go into space. However, they were removed from flights and safely forgotten. And only after almost forty years, with the news of the failure of the satellite, which has every chance of falling to the ground, our old astronaut heroes are called to save the situation. For them, this is an opportunity to still go into space, albeit many years later…

At the turn of the century

On the eve of the new millennium, in 1998, the fantastic thriller “Abyss Impact” was released. The plot was relevant and incredibly interesting. Comet heading towards Earththis means that this kind of collision will destroy our planet.

To prevent the inevitable, American astronauts send a group of astronauts to blow up a flying space body. But the explosion could cause the comet to break into small fragments, which would only aggravate the situation. In a word, the main characters will have to muster all the courage and find a solution from which the world could safely move into the coming new century … In the picture, warmly received by the audience, little-known Hollywood stars starred, whose career went uphill after the premiere, including Elijah Wood, Tea Leoni, Jonah Favreau, Leelee Sobieski, Dougray Scott.

Man's Great Journey

The lifelong science heroine of the film Contact (1997) Ellie, played by Jodie Foster, receives an unknown signal from outer space. She becomes the test subject of a new device that allows her to interact with other stellar civilizations. Traveling to one of the planets in the star system, Ellie meets a man who is not human. He reveals to her the secrets of these places, telling her that artificial intelligence participated in their creation. The heroine enjoys such communication, because she understands that each new discovery connects her with her own fears from her past …

The film was positively received by both the audience and critics. The fascinating story of representatives of different civilizations, filled with drama, impresses with amazing acting and a worthy soundtrack.

Ourachievements, our home space…

Klim Shipenko wrote the script and directed the domestic film “Salyut 7” (2017), based on real events in 1985. Two experienced astronauts have to go to a space station that has ceased to function in order to figure out what's wrong and perform a dangerous docking. In the worst case, the station may collapse to the ground, in the best case, the astronauts will return as living heroes. The expedition is very responsible and difficult, and the fate of mankind depends on its outcome…

It is pleasant to note that the Russian tape was warmly received by the audience and became a “guest” at many European festivals. The main roles were played by Pavel Derevyanko and Vladimir Vdovichenkov.

Speaking of the achievements in Russian cinematography, one cannot but recall the Soviet adventure drama “Kin-Dza-Dza” (1986), one way or another raising the theme of space. Do you remember how the foreman played by Stanislav Lyubshin went to the store for shopping, and in the end he was embroiled in an incredible journey to an unknown galaxy? And then I met a funny UEFA character performed by Evgeny Leonov. The film turned out to be unusual and ambiguous. Accustomed to comedies and “simple Soviet films”, the audience for a long time did not know how to relate to the new creation of Georgy Danelia. And over time, they fell in love with the picture, which was shown more than once on Soviet television.

Finally

Introducing other space-related films that are no less worthy of being noted:

1. “Alien” (1979).
2. “Passengers” (2016).
3. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).
4. "Solaris" (1972).
5. “Time of the First” (2017).
6. “Geostorm” (2017).
7. “The Martian” (2015).
8. “Apollo 13” (1995).
9. “Alive” (2017).
10. “Hidden Figures” (2016).