10 Best Movies About the Apollo Space Program

Hollywood has long been fascinated by the mysteries of outer space. From vivid documentaries to dramatizations of dusty missions, there are movies that have allowed audiences to feel as if they have traveled to the stars and beyond. However, no other space program has inspired filmmakers more than NASA’s Apollo Space Program.

Launched in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy with the goal of achieving Lunar landings before the decade was out, Project Apollo saw astronauts blast off in rockets, orbit the Moon, and then descend miraculously on its surface. In 1969, Neil Armstrong transformed history by being the first man to walk on the Moon. And in the ensuing fights, more astronauts joined the elite club of human beings that landed on the Moon.

Naturally, directors and documentary filmmakers around the world have found their stories irresistible and tried over and over again to bring the Apollo missions to the big screen. Some of these movies take a broader sweep, while others zoom in on pivotal moments. Either way, the best movies that captured the glorious tales connected to the Apollo Space Program have one thing in common – they honor the largest and most impactful mission of all time.

10 Moonwalk One (1972)

Released just three years after mankind first set foot on the lunar surface, Moonwalk One is a profound documentary that chronicles the entire Apollo 11 mission, from launch to touchdown. The film, directed by Theo Kamecke and narrated by Laurence Luckinbill, weaves intricate pieces of archival footage obtained from NASA with the global reactions to the mission to capture the intensity and significance of the mission and to allow audiences to experience major moments as if they were right there, along for the ride.

A Philosophical and Poetic Account

Few documentaries are as comprehensive and culturally true as Moonwalk One. In just an hour and a half, it offers a look at the astronauts’ journey, the pre-launch preparations as well as the iconic moonwalk, and the subsequent return to Earth. It takes a poetic approach towards the Apollo mission by providing a unique perspective on the achievement. The use of real NASA archives instead of recreating events adds depth and authenticity and makes the documentary a compelling watch. It also features astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins.

9 The Right Stuff (1983)

One of the most realistic and mildly hilarious movies based on the Apollo Space Program is The Right Stuff. Based on Tom Wolfe’s book, it chronicles the early days of the U.S. space program through the eyes of Navy, Marine, and Air Force test pilots at Edwards Air Force Base. Eventually, seven of them are selected to be astronauts, called the Mercury Seven. At the same time, the movie highlights the physical, personal and professional challenges they face.

An Epic Tale of Early Space Heroes

Celebrated for its sweeping scope and gripping storytelling, The Right Stuff is directed by Philip Kaufman. It portrays the bravery, camaraderie, and the relentless pursuit of excellence of the era with the help of an ensemble cast that includes Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, and Sam Shephard. Apart from being both inspiring and authentic, Kaufman’s dramatic adaptation is also remembered dearly for including fascinating details from Wolfe’s book. The Right Stuff was a box office bomb, but it won four Academy Awards.

8 For All Mankind (1989)

For true space enthusiasts, the internet is overflowing with content about the Apollo mission, ready to be consumed. But this brilliant documentary, directed by Al Reinert, compiles all the original NASA footage from 1968 to 1972, during which twenty-four human beings journeyed to the Moon, and creates a narrative that feels singular and seamless. The film covers Apollo 7 to Apollo 17 and highlights the beauty of space travel. It also uses the astronauts’ own words to make the experience more immersive.

Known for Its Unfiltered Intimacy

The minimalism and intimacy of For All Mankind is what makes it the definitive space documentary. Reinert, who went through more than six million feet of film to extract the most awe-inspiring moments for his documentary, offers an unparalleled look at the launch sequences, the lunar landings, and a reflection of the astronauts’ experiences. The film’s reception, as you’d expect, was overwhelmingly positive, with critics praising the beautiful score and captivating visuals.

7 Apollo 13 (1995)

Apollo 13 is an enthralling dramatization of the aborted 1970 Moon mission that almost ended in tragedy. Starring Tom Hanks as Jim Lovell, Kevin Bacon as Jack Swigert and Bill Paxton as Fred Haise, the movie follows the three astronauts as they embark on what was supposed to be NASA’s third Moon landing. However, when an oxygen tank explodes, they get stranded in space and the mission turns into a desperate struggle for survival. On the ground, NASA works against the clock to bring the team safely back to Earth.

Suspenseful and Courageous Retelling

Told over four nerve-wracking days with tense realism and a harrowing tone, Apollo 13 is nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece. Ron Howard directs the movie with care; his meticulous direction and attention to technical detail add weight to the emotional story.

Hanks, Bacon, and Paxton, along with Ed Harris’ flight director, deliver outstanding performances and capture the ordeal and resilience of their characters perfectly. Apollo 13 earned nine Academy Award nominations and won two, including Best Film Editing and Best Sound.

6 The Dish (2000)

An underrated gem from director Rob Sitch, The Dish is a charming and humorous addition to space movies. It tells the lesser-known contribution of Australia’s Parkes Observatory in the Apollo 11 mission. The movie, set in the small South Wales town of Parkes, follows a quirky team of scientists and engineers who work on the giant radio telescope responsible for broadcasting Neil Armstrong’s historic moonwalk across the world. They also face a series of technical challenges and unpredictable weather conditions.

A Feel-Good Underdog Story

Despite being the top-grossing Australian film of the year, The Dish is criminally overlooked. It stands out for infusing a lighthearted tone to the historical event and offering an unconventional behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of all the unsung heroes that made the moment so delightful and memorable. Sam Neill, Kevin Harrington, and Tom Long are incredible in their roles. So is Sitch’s direction. Overall, The Dish is a sublime blend of comedy, drama, and history, and is a must-watch.

5 In the Shadow of the Moon (2007)

In the Shadow of the Moon is a captivating documentary that chronicles the United States’ spectacular missions to the Moon during the Apollo program, which began as President John F. Kennedy’s dream in 1961 and culminated in the early 1970s. The movie directed by David Sington and produced by Duncan Copp, features interviews with ten of the surviving astronauts, including Aldrin, Collins, and Lovell, with each of them representing crewed Apollo flight (except Apollo 7).

Documentary Forged Out of a Historical Treasure Trove

Movies about space exploration, back in the 1960s and today, capture our collective wonder and present us with a reality that’s not as easily accessible. And yet, certain documentaries make the experience so lived-in that it’s easy to forget the facts. In the Shadow of the Moon is a deeply personal and reflective journey that highlights the United States’ triumphs as well as challenges. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and won the World Cinema Audience Award, along with high praise for its honorable tone.

4 Hidden Figures (2016)

Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe as the three African-American women who were very, very good at math and played pivotal roles in NASA during the early years of the space race, Hidden Figures is a biographical drama worth checking out.

It focuses mainly on the 1960s, when the racial tensions in the southern U.S. became barriers that Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson had to overcome in order for their contributions to the successful launch of John Glenn into orbit to be acknowledged.

Where Science, Race, and Gender Intersect

Hidden Figures is not just a tale of determination and brilliance but also one that inspires future generations to pave their path despite societal norms. The movie is directed by Theodore Melfi, who brings an entertaining vibe to a lesser-known chapter of the space program. The portrayal of bigotry and misogyny faced by the women, paired with the eventual uplifting ending, mirrors how far we’ve come in giving credit where credit is due.

3 First Man (2018)

With a pretty self-explanatory title, First Man is a biographical drama about Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the Moon. Adapted from James R. Hansen’s book by Damien Chazelle, the movie spans from Armstrong’s early days as a test pilot to his historic Apollo 11 mission. With Ryan Gosling’s intense and internalized portrayal, viewers are taken into Armstrong’s mind as he grapples with the tragic loss of his young daughter and faces intense pressures at work.

First Man Gets Everything Right

Chazelle was right to cast Gosling to play Armstrong, just as he was right to hold the camera to his remarkably expressive face. First Man stands out for its intimate and emotional tone and its meticulous recreation of key moments like the Gemini 8 mission and the unforgettable Lunar landing sequence. Its stunning visual effects (which were all practical, by the way) and immersive sound design (courtesy of Ai-Ling Lee) make the movie a compelling watch.

2 First to the Moon (2018)

The Apollo Space Program, as we know it, spanned years. Before NASA launched Apollo 11, they needed another mission to go to the moon, circle it, and return to Earth. First to the Moon is the very documentation of that mission, also known as Apollo 8, which was the United States’ second crewed spaceflight mission. It features interviews with astronauts Frank Borman, Bill Anders, and Jim Lovell, who recount their experiences, as well as archival footage from NASA’s personal collection as they prepared and executed the mission.

Impressive Trip Down Memory Lane

Apollo 8 was just as significant as Apollo 11 because it gave us the famed Earthrise photograph, which was an accidental capture by Anders. We also get to know more about the people involved in the mission, their backgrounds and their personal opinions. The documentary also has a visual appeal and a nail-biting ingenuity. Its engaging storytelling and true-to-facts approach garnered incredible praise.

1 Apollo 11 (2019)

The final documentary on the list is Apollo 11, directed by Todd Douglas Miller. Like many others that came before, it offers a detailed account of the historical mission. It consists entirely of archival footage, including previously unreleased 70mm film and over 11,000 hours of uncatalogued audio recordings. The reason it stands out is because Miller focuses on providing a “you are there” experience for viewers by capturing the tension and excitement of the journey.

An Homage to History’s Greatest Achievement

By giving up all kinds of storytelling restrictions, Apollo 11 emerges as a real-time documentary about the Moon landing and the subsequent return of the astronauts to Earth. Miller’s direction and the use of high-quality footage is unparalleled, especially in the documentary genre. Critics praised the movie for honoring the Apollo Space Program’s legacy, calling it “magnificent and unique” and the experience “an adrenaline shot of wonder and skill.”