Space.com rounds up ten bleak space movies that wallow in isolation, doom, and tragic finales—from Tarkovsky’s Solaris and Disney’s The Black Hole to Moon, Gravity, Aniara, and High Life—with bonus nods to Love and Iron Lung, illustrating how space cinema can reflect our darkest fears about the void.
Ahead of NASA’s Artemis II mission, 11 retired astronauts share their go-to space films, praising The Martian for teamwork and realism, Apollo 13 for ingenuity under pressure, and also highlighting classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Interstellar, Galaxy Quest, The Right Stuff and Apollo 11 for their science, inspiration and human drama.
CNN spoke with 11 retired astronauts who name their favorite space films, highlighting realism, teamwork and human storytelling across titles like The Martian, Apollo 13, Galaxy Quest, The Right Stuff, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Interstellar, amid renewed space focus with NASA’s Artemis II mission in view.
Chris Gilman's Global Effects specializes in creating highly accurate replica spacesuits for Hollywood, used in numerous films and TV series, with a collection that includes almost every historic spacesuit and custom sci-fi designs, emphasizing authenticity and detail in their costumes.
Adam Sandler's new Netflix film "Spaceman" struggles to find its identity, echoing the challenges faced by many sci-fi space movies in the past. The movie, featuring Sandler as a Czech cosmonaut, attempts to explore themes of loneliness and disconnection but falls short, ultimately being criticized for being boring and lacking the brilliance it aspired to achieve.
Space-related movies have become a genre of their own, offering audiences the chance to explore the unknown and ponder the mysteries of the universe. Some iconic and thought-provoking films in this genre include "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Apollo 13," "Gravity," "Interstellar," and "The Martian." These movies have left a lasting impact on both science fiction and Hollywood, captivating viewers with their mesmerizing visuals, compelling narratives, and exploration of themes such as human evolution, survival, and the wonders of space. The "Star Wars" franchise also stands as a legendary force in the space movie genre, enchanting generations of fans with its epic battles and mystical Force.