10 Best Space Movies To Honor 45th Anniversary of Apollo 11

*Updated April 2026

The anniversary of Apollo 11 serves as a reminder of a time when the world witnessed one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind. According to NASA, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins launched from the Kennedy Space Center on July 16, 1969. On July 20, Armstrong and Aldrin entered the lunar module named Eagle while Collins remained in the command module.

At 10:56 p.m. EDT, Armstrong became the first man to step on the moon, and Aldrin joined shortly after. After spending slightly more than 21 hours on the lunar surface, the duo left behind a U.S. flag commemorating the astronauts who lost their lives in the Apollo 1 cabin fire. This mission was such an important feat that modern society would be completely different without it.

According to space reporter Jay Barbree, we would not even have cell phones today without the technological leaps of this mission. He noted that the walk on the moon pushed technology 50 years ahead. It spurred the original development of the digital computer, which allowed the crew to land, stay for 22 hours, and safely lift off again.

There is no better way to honor this monumental achievement than by watching a great motion picture. Here are 10 of the best space movies to celebrate this historic moment in human history.

10. Moon (2009): A Haunting Look at Corporate Isolation

Director Duncan Jones presents the story of Sam Bell, an astronaut miner on a three-year contract extracting Helium 3 to solve the energy crisis on Earth. With only two weeks left before going home, he makes an ominous realization that tests his sanity and exposes the underlying intentions of his company. It is a captivating work of hard science fiction that concentrates on the human mind and raw emotions.

Sam Rockwell delivers a passionate performance that carries the entire narrative. Many critics considered his acting a major Oscar snub, with Empire Online naming it one of the best performances of the year. This imaginative and riveting thriller demands your attention from start to finish.

9. Apollo 13 (1995): A Masterclass in Nail-Biting Suspense

This historical docudrama chronicles the 1970 lunar mission, telling the true story of three heroic astronauts fighting to return home safely. A massive onboard explosion deprives their spacecraft of oxygen and electric power. Director Ron Howard masterfully captures the painstaking details and magnificent special effects without inflating the actual events.

The result is an undeniably thrilling and suspenseful experience. It earned nine Academy Award nominations, ultimately winning for Best Film Editing and Best Sound.

8. Alien (1979): Intergalactic Haunted House Terror

On the way home from a routine mission, the crew of the commercial vessel Nostromo stops to investigate a distress call from an unexplored planet. They soon realize a deadly biological threat has boarded their ship. This horrifying classic will forever make you frightened of what lurks in the shadows of space.

Ridley Scott crafted a phenomenal production that takes tension to entirely new heights. Roger Ebert awarded the picture four out of four stars, cementing its place on his Great Movies list. It also took home the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

7. Wall-E (2008): A Heartfelt Animated Masterpiece

Set in a far future, the narrative follows a lonely robot designed to clean up a waste-covered Earth. He eventually meets and falls in love with another robot named EVE, following her into outer space. His actions set a series of events in motion that could change his destiny and help humanity finally return home.

Pixar demonstrates its ingenuity and sense of magic with this stellar, bold production. Wall-E transcends cultural, language, and age barriers to easily touch the hearts of everyone watching. It received six Academy Award nominations and rightfully won Best Animated Feature.

6. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): A Hypnotic Milestone of Cinema

The unearthing of a mysterious object buried beneath the lunar surface leads a trio of astronauts on a dangerous mission to Jupiter. Director Stanley Kubrick delivers a brilliantly directed picture that remains one of the most influential entries in the science fiction genre. The Los Angeles Times called it a landmark in the art of film.

In 1991, the Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry. Director Martin Scorsese frequently names it as one of his favorite pictures of all time. It also secured an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

5. Aliens (1986): Expanding the Lore with Heroic Action

Ellen Ripley is the last surviving crew member of the Nostromo and reluctantly returns to the alien planet after contact with a new settlement is lost. This time, the rescue team brings heavy firepower to take out the colony and their terrifying queen. James Cameron intelligently expands on the first installment to create a refreshing plot shaped around a heroic, kick-ass protagonist.

This outstanding science fiction thriller never feels like a simple retread of the original. It earned seven Academy Award nominations, taking home trophies for Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Effects Editing. Time magazine featured it on its cover, naming it the scariest film of the summer.

4. Forbidden Planet (1956): The Mother of Space Travel Epics

A starship crew investigates a silent planet ruled by an expatriate, only to find him, his daughter, and a deadly secret. It marks the first time a film showed humans traveling on a starship of their own creation. This was a groundbreaking release for its era regarding special effects and a precursor of what was to come.

It remains a highly entertaining and visionary look into the future of cinema. In 2013, the Library of Congress added it to the National Film Registry for its cultural significance.

3. The Right Stuff (1983): A Grand Look at America’s Pioneers

This is the story of the original Mercury 7 astronauts selected for the first human spaceflight attempts by the United States. It presents an entertaining and grand-scale look into the lives of Navy, Marine, and Air Force test pilots. The narrative is packed full of beauty, drama, excitement, and humor.

A vivid array of characters makes this historical account incredibly engaging from the opening frame. The picture received eight Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and Best Original Score.

2. Gravity (2013): A Dazzling Fight for Survival

During a routine spacewalk, disaster strikes and destroys a space shuttle, leaving two astronauts tethered to nothing but each other. Without communication to Earth, every gulp of air eats away at their dwindling oxygen supply. The only way home may be to venture further out into the terrifying expanse of space.

This heart-pounding thriller is visually stunning, expertly acted, and incorporates mind-blowing 3D effects. You cannot ask for a better cinematic experience centered around the dangers of orbit. It received ten Academy Award nominations and won seven, including Best Director and Best Cinematography.

1. Le Voyage Dans La Lune (1902): The Birth of Cinematic Magic

A group of daring astronomers goes on an ambitious expedition to the moon. Georges Méliès created what is widely considered the first science fiction motion picture, changing the way movies were produced. It was a massive success upon release due to its extravagant production and groundbreaking practical effects.

The emphasis on storytelling allowed Méliès to create a magical and whimsical portrait of science. In 2002, it became the first motion picture added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. It remains a vital piece of cinematic history.