Space Exploration Movies

Space Exploration In Movies. Part Two. Because I wrote about the appeal of the space exploration theme in a previous post, I also wanted to give you some suggestions about where you can find space exploration in movies.

Besides some Space Exploration Games mentions in the first part, these suggestions are about Space Exploration in Movies. Rather short but interesting list of underrated gems. Certainly for your enjoyment in the days of isolation and quarantine.

No Man’s Sky & more space games recommendations

Why? Because we have No Man’s Sky on sale here on Indie Gala, as well as  Kerbal Space Program, Stellaris and Space Engineers on Indie Gala and because it’s a fantastic topic to write about. But I digress. Back to movies.

Space Exploration In Movies: What’s so special about it?

The most noteworthy thing about space exploration movies is their ability to show us the final frontier. The planets that we’ll likely never visit, alien life we’ll never encounter.

Certainly, as the name suggests, the exploration as regular Joe’s we’ll never get to experience.  So, we leave it to Sandra Bullock to tell us how it feels like in space. Similarly, Matt Damon to show us how to grow potatoes on Mars. They’re our window to the vast, unexplored space. But what about the underrated gems? Space exploration in movies, at its finest.

Examples of Space Exploration Movies:

Firstly, I’m going to try to avoid the most known and familiar ones. In all honesty, they’re all fine, but I’m going to presume you’ve all seen 2001 Space Odyssey.

However, here in this particular post, I’m going to focus on the lesser-known and underrated gems that are so hidden, watching them is going to feel like an unique experience. Likewise, they’re quality movies but didn’t have the best marketing campaign or the biggest budget. Finally, they’re movies that most of us have forgotten or haven’t even heard of.

October Sky

Space Exploration Movies October Sky

Frankly, this is one of the best movies ever. It has 17-year-old Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead role, and 2 Oscar-winning actors in the supporting cast. Indeed, this is a small and fairly forgotten movie, but oh so good. October Sky is based on real-life events. Most importantly, the movie is based on the true story of Homer H. Hickam, Jr. A coal miner’s son who was inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957. Hence he took up, rocketry against his father’s wishes and eventually became a NASA engineer. Watch it if you have the chance.

Moon

So, here’s a movie directed by David Bowie’s son. No joke. Moon was Duncan Jones’s debut movie, and it’s probably one of his best known so far. Moon has Sam Rockwell in the lead role, and 2 times Oscar winner Kevin Spacey voices the robot, GERTY. Besides, the film’s scientific realism is great, so is Rockwell’s performance. Moon is about one man’s crisis when he nears the last days of his stay on the moon. Hence, the title. Moon. Check it out if you haven’t already.

Moon

Galaxy Quest

How would you react if you were almost certainly being visited by aliens? Well, the Galaxy Quest TV cast had that same conundrum. In Galaxy Quest of course. On the other hand, this is one of the most light-hearted movies on this list. The movie has spunk, humor and a fantastic cast led by Tim Allen. Not to mention, this is the second movie on this list that has Sam Rockwell in the cast. It’s a fantastic movie, and if you haven’t seen it, do it. Why not just watch it this weekend?

Galaxy Quest

Europa Report

A found footage film that’s also a space exploration film? It seems like an impossible task, but in fact, it’s a great movie in general. Europa Report recounts the fictional story of the first crewed mission to Europa, one of the four Galilean moons of Jupiter. The film was a box office bomb, but it got positive reviews when it came out. Regardless of the commercial failure, Europa Report is one of the most awesome movies with space exploration as a theme. It deserves your attention.

Europa Report

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Probably the movie I enjoy watching the most. I watched it again, just yesterday..for the 137th time. A movie starring Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey that’s developed (originally) by Carl Sagan and explores the possible extraterrestrial life? Yes, please. Likewise, Sagan and his wife Ann Druyan wrote the story outline for the film, but sadly he passed away before the film was completed. It’s a brilliant movie with great acting and fantastic visuals that still looks awesome today, 23 years after it was done.

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What are your choices in Space Exploration Movies?

What are your best picks for Space exploration movies? What are you hidden and underrated gems? Tell us in the comments below.

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