10 Movies & Shows Like Moon Landing (2020)

Description: A groundbreaking sci-fi film that explores humanity's relationship with technology and the unknown, featuring iconic visuals and a philosophical narrative about space exploration.

Fact: The film's special effects were revolutionary for their time and still hold up today. The famous 'star gate' sequence was created using slit-scan photography, a technique developed specifically for the movie.

Description: It explores the early days of the U.S. space program, highlighting the bravery and determination of the astronauts and test pilots who paved the way for space exploration.

Fact: The film was based on Tom Wolfe's book of the same name, which popularized the term 'the right stuff' to describe the qualities of astronauts. It won four Academy Awards.

Description: This film captures the tension and drama of a real-life space mission gone awry, focusing on human ingenuity and teamwork under extreme pressure.

Fact: The filmmakers used NASA's KC-135 aircraft, nicknamed the 'Vomit Comet,' to simulate weightlessness for the space scenes. The film's accuracy was praised by the actual Apollo 13 crew.

Description: This film combines science fiction with a deep exploration of faith and science, as a scientist makes first contact with extraterrestrial life, raising profound questions about humanity's place in the universe.

Fact: The film is based on Carl Sagan's novel of the same name. The Arecibo Observatory, featured in the movie, was later used in real-life SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) research.

Description: This epic sci-fi adventure explores themes of space travel, time dilation, and human survival, with a strong emotional core centered around the bond between a parent and child.

Fact: The film's black hole, Gargantua, was rendered with unprecedented accuracy based on equations provided by physicist Kip Thorne. The cornfields in the movie were real and grown specifically for the production.

Description: A psychological sci-fi drama that examines isolation and identity through the story of a lone astronaut working on a lunar base, with a minimalist approach that emphasizes the eerie solitude of space.

Fact: The film was made on a relatively low budget but received critical acclaim for its storytelling and performances. The lunar base sets were built using practical effects to create a realistic environment.

Description: This biographical drama delves into the personal and professional challenges faced by an astronaut during the historic mission to the moon, emphasizing the emotional and physical toll of space exploration.

Fact: The film used a combination of practical effects and CGI to recreate the lunar landing, and it was shot in IMAX to enhance the immersive experience. The sound design included recordings from the actual Apollo missions.

Description: A gripping survival story set in space, this film emphasizes the isolation and peril of being stranded in orbit, with stunning visuals that capture the vastness and danger of space.

Fact: The film's opening shot is a continuous 12-minute take, achieved through complex CGI and camera work. It won seven Academy Awards, including Best Director for Alfonso Cuarón.

Description: A story of resilience and problem-solving, this film follows an astronaut's struggle to survive alone on Mars, blending science, humor, and human determination.

Fact: The film's production consulted with NASA to ensure scientific accuracy. The Martian landscape was filmed in Wadi Rum, Jordan, which resembles the surface of Mars.

Description: The movie sheds light on the untold story of the African-American women mathematicians who played a crucial role in the success of early space missions, blending historical significance with human drama.

Fact: The film was based on Margot Lee Shetterly's non-fiction book of the same name. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.