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Space—the final frontier. There’s so much we don’t know about it. In fact, we don’t even know about the creatures in our own oceans let alone what happens outside of our galaxy. It’s the mystery of what’s potentially out there that helps us earthlings create wonderful stories about shooting off into the unknown on a tiny little rocket ship or fighting off an extraterrestrial invasion. With each passing generation comes new technology and new knowledge that helps further our understanding of space. And each generation also seems to get a helping hand from the film industry to help us further make sense of life outside of our own blue planet. Star Wars, released just seven years after the first moon landing, left a generation, not only obsessed with the series, but also with wonder about space travel and the possibility of different galaxies. Wall-E warned about the harm of letting technology do everything for you—the list goes on and on. Each generation has that one defining movie that attempts to portray space in a way that, not only entertains, but also increases your appreciation for Earth and all of its gravitational glory. These are those films.
A Trip to the Moon (1902)
A Trip to the Moon is considered to be the first science fiction film ever made, which probably isn’t that shocking because motion pictures had literally just been invented. The director, Georges Méliès, also opened the first film studio in 1897, and 67 years before the first steps on the moon were even made, he filmed the now iconic film. Mixed with the magic of the new moving pictures, audiences were astounded to watch astronomers travel to the moon via a capsule shot from a cannon (which lands in the moon’s human eye), and interact with lunar inhabitants. The movie’s special effects and skilled storytelling marked the beginning of narrative film as we know it.
The First Men in the Moon (1919)
If Twitter was around in 1919, you know #TheFirstMenintheMoon would be trending. The First Men in the Moon is one of the most famous lost films, but plot synopsis from papers and stills from the set still exist. The movie follows a devious Bedford as he abandons an elderly professor on the moon to go back to earth and make his own fortune. However, his plans are foiled when, through wireless telegraphy, the professor is reached and he denounces Bedford. Lost in space? #Gravity. Wireless telegraphy? #Bluetooth. Sci-fi does predict the future.
Woman in the Moon (1929)
Woman in the Moon may be the first “serious” sci-fi movie, but the making of it is pretty romantic. Based on the novel by Thea von Harbou, her husband Fritz Lang adapted and directed the film. The movie was the first time that there was a countdown from 10 to zero prior to a rocket launch, which is pretty iconic. Unfortunately, their mission to try to find gold on the moon was successful in Woman in the Moon, but not in real life.
Flash Gordon (1936)
Already a beloved comic strip, Flash Gordon’s story was told in a series of 13 installments. The film, added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” also served as George Lucas’ influence for the first Star Wars movie.
Forbidden Planet (1956)
Forbidden Planet is the first film set nowhere near planet Earth, and is one of the greatest science fiction films of the ’50s, inspiring the genre still. The movie, starring a young Leslie Nielsen (surprisingly, not in a comedic role), focuses on the journey of a crew sent to planet Altair IV—16 light-years from Earth—to find out the fate of an expedition 20 years prior. Forbidden Planet is often cited as the inspiration for Star Trek.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
When watching 2001: A Space Odyssey, it’s really hard to believe that it was made in 1968. It’s still relevant, still beautifully made, and still has some of the most mind-blowing special effects in cinema. Produced, directed, and partially written by the great Stanley Kubrick, the movie focuses on the interaction between humans and black monoliths that affect human evolution. Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and numerous special effects techs cite this movie as a major influence.
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars isn’t just a movie—it’s a lifestyle choice. Fans of the films abhor anyone who hasn’t seen it, and instantly bond with anyone who can quote it in everyday conversation. George Lucas’ first film of the series took the world by storm, and shot him, along with Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher (amongst others), into instant stardom. People still dress up as the characters and eagerly await the next installation of the epic space opera. The Star Wars fan base is easily the most diehard in this world, and others.
Alien (1979)
Eleven years after Ridley Scott blamed Stanley Kubrick for ruining the science fiction genre by making the perfect film in 2001: A Space Odyssey, he made Alien. The sci-fi horror film terrified fans as a badass Ripley Scott (Sigourney Weaver) destroyed a super violent extraterrestrial who slaughtered the members of her crew. The movie resulted in numerous sequels, comic books, toys, and novels.
Blade Runner (1982)
Harrison Ford and space movies go together like America and apple pie. Ridley Scott (the director of Blade Runner and, just three years earlier, who got a space hit with Alien) and space go together like humans and the need to destroy intergalactic threats. The film has become a cult classic as a staple in the neo-noir genre with its retrofitted production design.
Spaceballs (1987)
If you weren’t the type to get caught up in Star Wars or Star Trek, then you missed out on one of the greatest parodies ever made, Spaceballs. Co-written and directed by Mel Brooks, Spaceballs may not have as big of a following as Star Wars, but it’s certainly a cult classic.
Total Recall (1990)
Total Recall was one of the most expensive movies ever produced, but the visual effects for 1990 speak for themselves; with Arnold on board, it was bound to be an action packed hit. It’s one of the last Hollywood movies to use miniature effects instead of CGI, and the violence still holds up, albeit a tad hokey.
Apollo 13 (1995)
Apollo 13 is terrifying in a way that most space movies aren’t, meaning it’s based on a true story. To help remind viewers that the events depicted in the film were based off of reality, the stars—Hanks, Paxton, and Bacon—all went to space camp to learn about all 500 different buttons and toggles it takes to man a spacecraft. They even experienced zero gravity. The actors' dedication to telling the real story leaves us with a still thrilling story.
Wall-E (2008)
We’ve all seen humans leaving earth to go explore outer space, where things get messy and then they try to get back alive. Or, they already live on another planet, things get messy and they try to get back to their other planet. Wall-E, however, shows humans leaving earth because it’s gross to live in luxury, get fat, and forget why they’re up in space anyway, which is how most people would react.
Avatar (2009)
It’s the highest grossing movie ever, and it’s about humans pretending to be aliens so they can mine some elements from another beautiful planet. It’s very reminiscent of Pocahontas, but the special effects are absolutely breathtaking. The stereoscopic filmmaking, which was used to create the illusion of depth, was a major breakthrough in technology.
Gravity (2013)
Gravity doesn’t use cheesy gimmicks like robot aliens popping out to kill a crew, or crew members turning on each other. Rather, it’s a quiet, uneasy, unnerving thriller through and through. It’s scary to be lost in space, so just don’t be a smart scientist who gets sent out there. Problem solved.
