If you loved the awe-inspiring visuals and cosmic wonder of The Space Movie (1980), this article is for you. We’ve curated a list of 10 similar films and shows that capture the same sense of exploration, scientific curiosity, and breathtaking space imagery. Whether you're a fan of documentaries, sci-fi adventures, or real-life space missions, these picks will take you on an unforgettable journey beyond Earth.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Description: A groundbreaking film that explores human evolution, artificial intelligence, and the mysteries of space through stunning visuals and minimal dialogue.
Fact: The film's iconic monolith was inspired by Arthur C. Clarke's short story 'The Sentinel.' The zero-gravity scenes were achieved using revolutionary rotating sets.


Solaris (1972)
Description: A philosophical meditation on human consciousness and alien contact, set aboard a space station orbiting a mysterious planet.
Fact: The film's haunting electronic score was created by composer Eduard Artemyev using one of the first Soviet synthesizers.


Apollo 13 (1995)
Description: A gripping true story of space survival, showcasing NASA's engineering brilliance and astronaut courage during a lunar mission crisis.
Fact: The film's weightlessness scenes were filmed aboard NASA's KC-135 aircraft, which creates brief periods of zero-g by flying parabolic arcs.


Contact (1997)
Description: A scientifically rigorous exploration of first contact with extraterrestrial intelligence, blending hard science with spiritual questions.
Fact: The film's radio telescope scenes were shot at the actual Very Large Array in New Mexico, with scientists as extras.


Event Horizon (1997)
Description: A terrifying blend of science fiction and horror set aboard a spaceship that has ventured into unknown dimensions.
Fact: The film's original cut included much more graphic footage that was later removed, with some scenes considered too disturbing for test audiences.


Sunshine (2007)
Description: A visually striking mission to reignite the dying sun, combining hard science fiction with psychological tension and cosmic awe.
Fact: The film's solar imagery was created using actual NASA footage of the sun combined with practical light effects on set.


Interstellar (2014)
Description: A visually stunning journey through space and time, blending hard science with emotional storytelling about love, survival, and the unknown.
Fact: The black hole visualization was created using actual equations from physicist Kip Thorne, resulting in scientifically accurate depictions never seen before in cinema.


Moon (2009)
Description: A psychological exploration of isolation and identity set on a lunar base, featuring minimalist production design and thought-provoking themes.
Fact: The film was shot in just 33 days using practical effects and miniature models rather than extensive CGI.


Gravity (2013)
Description: A tense, immersive survival story set in the unforgiving vacuum of space, showcasing both the beauty and danger of orbital environments.
Fact: The film's opening 17-minute single take required complex choreography between actors, cameras, and CGI elements to simulate weightlessness.


The Martian (2015)
Description: A scientifically grounded story of human ingenuity and survival on Mars, combining realistic space technology with humor and problem-solving.
Fact: NASA consulted extensively on the film, and some of the technologies depicted later inspired actual Mars mission planning.
