We asked retired astronauts about their favorite space movies, and this is what they shared with us.
NASA’s Artemis II mission is set to launch as early as February 6, putting human spaceflight to the moon back in the spotlight after a 50-plus year hiatus. This may inspire future filmmakers to explore the possibilities of space travel in their own work.
In celebration of our return to the drama and wonder of space, we asked 11 astronauts to share their favorite space films that capture the thrill of leaving Earth behind. Did your favorite make it?
- The Martian: Survival, science, and teamwork on the Red Planet
Directed by Ridley Scott and adapted from a book by Andy Weir, "The Martian" is a blend of humor and peril. Matt Damon portrays a stranded astronaut on the Red Planet, using his botany and mechanical engineering skills to survive, while also relying on the collective brain trust and courage of NASA and his fellow astronauts.
Clayton C. Anderson, who spent five months aboard the International Space Station in 2007, found the depiction of teamwork in "The Martian" particularly relatable. "It shows the dedication of NASA’s workforce, working together, sometimes at huge personal sacrifice, to get the job done," he said.
- Apollo 13: A true story of ingenuity and NASA’s finest hour
The same spirit of ingenuity and teamwork is at the heart of another astronaut favorite: "Apollo 13," a true story of a nearly ill-fated moon mission, starring Ed Harris, Bill Paxton, and Tom Hanks as the mission’s commander, Jim Lovell.
Three retired astronauts praised its realism, emotional impact, and tribute to NASA’s professional collaborations.
- Galaxy Quest: Finding humor and humanity in space adventure
Not every astronaut’s favorite film is grounded in realism. "Galaxy Quest," starring Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, and Tim Allen, earns its place in space-lovers’ hearts by capturing camaraderie, humor, and the joy of exploration, even while poking fun at sci-fi tropes.
- The Right Stuff: Daring spirit of the early space program
Few films capture the daring spirit of the early space program quite like the 1983 film "The Right Stuff," adapted from Tom Wolfe’s best-selling book of the same title. Following the journey of the original Mercury 7 astronauts, the movie resonates with those who know what it means to push the limits.
- 2001: A Space Odyssey: Groundbreaking visuals
For some astronauts, cinematic ambition matters as much as story. Leroy Chiao, who spent more than 6 months in space and commanded Expedition 10 aboard the ISS, points to Stanley Kubrick’s "2001: A Space Odyssey" for the visuals that were considered groundbreaking when it was released in 1968.
- Interstellar: A journey through space, time, and humanity
Christopher Nolan’s 2014 "Interstellar" dramatizes a dystopian scenario where the climate crisis has dwindled Earth’s food supply, necessitating a mission to find a habitable Planet B.
The movie, starring Matthew McConaughey and Jessica Chastain, nails both the science and emotional depth, according to Josh Cassada, who flew to the ISS aboard SpaceX’s Crew-5 mission in 2022.
- Apollo 11: Reliving the thrill of the moon landing
Of course, not all great space films need to rely on fiction. Terry Virts, a retired NASA astronaut, singled out the CNN documentary "Apollo 11" as a must-see.
"It has amazing newly discovered IMAX-quality footage, a great soundtrack, and when they showed the launch sequence, my heart was racing faster than when I actually launched into space," Virts said.
