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Space.com's Top 10 Space Movies of All Time

Posted by Zonk on from the they-should-have-sent-a-poet dept.

Comatose51 writes "Space.com has posted a Top 10 Space Movies of All Time list based on reader ratings on each movie. Apollo 13 is currently the #1 movie, followed by Star Trek: First Contact at #2, and Wrath of Khan at #3. I was surprised by Apollo 13 at #1, since I initially equated space movies with sci-fi. However, I don't disagree with it. What do other Slashdotters think, or suggest as good space movies?"

10 of 539 comments (clear)

  1. Order... by The+Madd+Rapper · · Score: 5, Interesting

    First Contact before Empire Strikes Back? I liked them both, but c'mon now. Overall I think the top ten are solid choices, but the order leaves a little to be desired.

    --
    That's the shit that feds me up
  2. my top pick by all+your+mwbassguy+a · · Score: 5, Funny

    khan is #1 for me, just because it resonates so deeply with me. i, too, was left stranded on ceti alpha five.

  3. Spaceballs by frankmu · · Score: 5, Funny

    "I see that your schwartz is as big as mine."

    --
    Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
  4. Since it doesn't have to be science fiction by jbrader · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Then I nominate "The Right Stuff". Also I think this list is a little too Star Trek heavy (but I'm probably in the minority on that).

    --
    You are so boring that when I see you my feet go to sleep.
    1. Re:Since it doesn't have to be science fiction by orson_of_fort_worth · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Absolutely. One of my favorite movies of all time. The Right Stuff is actually about outer space and the trials and tribulations of reaching it. Most of the list are just soap operas with spaceships.

  5. Serenity by ngunton · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I never watched the series, and just happened to catch the movie two days before it disappeared from my local theatre. It was the matinee, and there were three other people in there with me. I have to say, I've been avoiding going out to see movies in recent years, because there always seems to be some asshat sitting behind me who feels that it's perfectly ok to discuss plot points in a normal voice, or be in a constant state of candy rustling, or other noise that just ruins the whole thing.

    Anyway, back to the real point: Serenity has restored my faith in movies. Star Wars (the recent run of prequals) almost killed off my hope totally. I just felt so ... empty ... walking out of those movies. All special effect, no humanity, no heart. Is anyone else yawning these days at the latest, greatest special effects? I mean, it's been a while since I was really wowed by this stuff - I think Terminator II was the last movie that really made me go "hey, neat!". The Matrix was ok (the first one only, please, not the travesty that the other two became), but it was mostly the style (and bullet time) that make that movie.

    Serenity was a return to something that George Lucas almost had in his grasp with his very first Star Wars movie: A sense of real people, experiencing real life, only in a very, very different environment to ours. This is true escapism - not Grand Councils and "sheratons in space" (thanks Joss), but real, gritty, imperfect, cowardly, funny, wisecracking people. The sort of characters you would probably like if you met them in real life. Who can imagine interacting with any of the recent Star Wars characters in real life? Sheesh.

    Joss Whedon is one of those people who has a talent for mixing the real with the fantastic in a funny, witty way. I think Serenity is right up there at the top of my list of all-time favorite movies. It rocks because it has heart, which so many movies these days lack. The big mistake action movies make is that if you don't care about the characters, then who cares what happens to them? In Serenity, I cared. I took my wife to see it for a second time (had to travel a bit, since it was gone from most places by then). She is not a Sci-Fi fan, but I had a hunch, and I was right - she loved it. That says something.

    I also went right out and bought the Firefly DVD set, and we both watched it all the way through over the next few nights. I have to say I am totally amazed that this show was canceled. They canned this in favor of what? More reality sludge? Yikes.

  6. No 5th Element?? by Tmack · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Futuristic with lots of space stuff in it (you know, the whole dark planet, FTL travel to other planets, etc). A Great Sci-Fi movie with excellent scene changes and decent plot (even brief nudity), and even though one of the main characters is Bruce Willis, it still came out great IMHO, it just didnt do well in the theaters (probably due to lack of publicity, I only remember a few commercials for it).

    Tm

    --
    Support TBI Research: http://www.raisinhope.org
    1. Re:No 5th Element?? by G-funk · · Score: 5, Insightful

      "...and even though one of the main characters is Bruce Willis"

      WTF? If that movie starred anybody else, you'd be sitting around going "the only thing that could make that better is if Dallas was played by John McCl... ah, Bruce Willis"

      --
      Send lawyers, guns, and money!
  7. iMDB's verdict by ishnaf · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Trawling throught the iMDB top 250 filmsi got this list:
    1. Star Wars 4
    2. Star wars 5
    3. Alien
    4. Aliens (the sequel to Aliens)
    5. 2001: A Space Oddysey
    6. Blade Runner (well if Contact is on the list, why not this?)
    7. Star Wars 6
    8. Star Wars 3
    9. Planet of the Apes (1968 version)
    Yes, i've gone against convention and used digits not roman numerals for the Star Wars films. I'd be interested to see are larger list - Star Wars/Trek domaination makes it seem more like a top 5.
  8. Serenity flopped! by Hobbex · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm sure there of hundreds of stories like mine.

    Before everyone here starts oozing with happiness about Serenity, it should be noted that IT FLOPPED. Despite a lot of attention, lots of dedicated fans, and great reviews, it was not even able to recap production costs at the box office. Look at this years yearly box office to get an idea of just how badly it did (for those tired of scrolling, it is in place 77).

    Now, with DVD sales I am sure the studio won't end up in the red when all is said and done, but $25 million for a high budget high profile movie is terrible. Serenity will probably be pointed to in the future as a good reason not to use cult DVD followings as a reason to greenlight films. Sorry to tell ya all.