Night Sky Gaze
Space Movies

The Best Space Movies For Night Sky Enthusiasts

  • The following 4 space movies are perfect for those who can’t get enough of our beautiful solar system.
  • Gravity starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney will take you on a wild ride of the vastness of outer space.
  • Apollo 13 starring Tom Hanks and Kevin Bacon will relive one of the most iconic missions in NASA history.
  • The Martian starring Matt Damon will explore the survival on Mars in unfavorable conditions.
  • Interstellar starring Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine will blow your mind through space and time.

Some of the most well-known, popular films take place in outer space, although they have nothing to do with space itself. Movies such as Star Wars, Star Trek, and Guardians of the Galaxy merely use space as a setting rather than a central storyline plot. All of these films could have easily taken place in another context.

However, there are movies that not only explore the outer realms of space but also tackle its complexities in a somewhat realistic fashion. Space is integral to the plot, conflict, and resolution of the film all while having the universe as the backdrop of its setting. The following space movies perfectly entertain the night sky enthusiast in us all.

Gravity (2013)

Gravity is a space exploration movie starring Sandra Bullock as Dr. Ryan Stone and George Clooney playing Matt Kowalsky. Kowalsky is participating in his final mission before retirement and has been tasked with guiding Dr. Stone on her first space mission. During a routine spacewalk, the shuttle is destroyed and the two are left stranded in space with no lifeline.

Although many who viewed the film got motion sickness while watching in the theatre due to the constant spinning rotation of the camera, it is heralded as a visual masterpiece. Its glimpse into the vast emptiness of space and its tapestry of planets and stars is a must-see.

Apollo 13 (1995)

This iconic film starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton recapture the devastating calamity that occurred aboard a US shuttle during the Apollo 13 lunar mission. After a successful launch from Earth, the crew experiences the after-effects of an oxygen tank explosion. The moon landing is called off, and the safe return of the astronauts becomes the new mission.

Although most of the action occurs within the spacecraft, beautiful vistas of stars and planets are seen through the small windows as Tom Hanks character Jim Lovell watches the moon pass by. Apollo 13 is a classic movie for any lover of the great unknown.

The Martian (2015)

Mark Watney played by Matt Damon is presumed dead after a disastrous storm leaves him stranded on the surface of Mars. Watney must use his intellect and will power to use whatever resources he can gather in order to communicate with Earth to inform them of his whereabouts. Surviving on potatoes and his own amusement, he must wait until a rescue mission is possible.

Several views from the surface of Mars accent the beauty of our galaxy. Following Damon’s terrific performance as he adapts and survives on a planet that’s not completely unlike Earth is certainly something to behold. The Martian is another “bucket list” movie to see.

Interstellar (2014)

This already “classic” film starring Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine will take your mind on a journey it was never prepared for. Interstellar is a sci-fi space exploration movie that sinks its teeth into time travel and wormholes.

The story takes place on future Earth in which a large Dust Bowl and crop infestation have made the planet inhabitable. NASA physicist, Professor Brand (Michael Caine) is researching three possible new homes for mankind that are only accessible through a wormhole. This wormhole creates more difficulties than anticipated and Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) is responsible for navigating space and time to save humanity.

A brilliant movie that has contributed to more questions rather than answers in regard to the complexities of our galaxy and universe. For those of you that can’t get enough of the mysteries of outer space, Interstellar must be on your list.

Bryan Brammer