The Black Hole

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The Black Hole

PG

Released Dec 18, 1979

1h 37m

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

42%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

46%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In the future, a spaceship dubbed the USS Palomino is on its way back to Earth when it discovers another ship that had been assumed missing, the USS Cygnus. Kate McCrae (Yvette Mimieux), a scientist aboard the Palomino, learns that it's the same ship upon which her father had served as a crew member. When the Palomino's crew boards the Cygnus, they are met by Dr. Reindhardt (Maximilian Schell) and a bizarre, faceless army who plan to be the first people ever to explore a black hole.

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Critics Consensus

While lavishly crafted and brimming with ambitious ideas, The Black Hole probes the depths of space with an unexciting story and hokey melodrama.

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

It is good to see the Disney craftsmen doing what they do best on such a grand and risky scale. If one has time for only one space opera this season, this is the one to choose.

Mar 9, 2009

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Time Out

Disney's most ambitious and costly production to date -- about a spaceship crew which encounters a Black Hole and a long-lost madman -- and if looks were everything, you could hardly fault it.

Feb 9, 2006

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

It cost half as much as Star Trek and looks better -- not as lavish, perhaps, but more original. The special effects are fancy, and the design even more so.

May 9, 2005

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Scott Collura

IGN Movies

This ultimately empty if visually interesting film still left a huge impression on a certain generation.

Apr 4, 2025

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Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

A bizarre Disney-fied mash-up of FORBIDDEN PLANET and STAR WARS, this darker existential story is imperfect but also fascinating.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 24, 2024

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

If you have a child in need of distracting, take them without fear to this inoffensive entertainment. In any other case, fear this black hole without end. [Full review in Spanish]

Jan 16, 2024

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Khaliel P

Disney’s answer to Star Wars — but without the real talent. It was a major flop at the time and cost Disney a lot of money. It’s still watchable today, but the story is slow and not very engaging. Still, worth seeing at least once.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

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Issy J

What’s not to love, wonderful story , great cast and some decent visuals. Saw this on release , like others I loved it then and still do now

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/02/25

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Prospero E

I can't believe the negativity this cult classic receives. It's an amazing and iconic film that blew me away as a child in 1979 and blows me away as an adult in 2025. Easily one of the better movies I have seen in my life. The final psychedelic part is so deep and beautiful. The image of Maximilian atop a rock of Hell merging with Reinhart's eyes.... stunning! I love the part where Kate's brain is about to be drilled. Reinhart is a dark and psychologically manipulative villain. So much to love!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/25

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This Old G

You could consider this a so bad it's good movie. it's got some neat visuals but it's very laughable. And that music score is excruciating

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/25

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Ninja W

Fantastic old style movie, for a low budget movie delivers a pretty nice and fun story

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/26/24

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David W

I absolutely loved this movie on its release and having recently rewatched it I still do. There's a wonderful cast who all give strong performances, an iconic pair of robots, great set design, a strong script, incredible special effects for its time and for me, one of the most memorable endings in sci-fi. The musics absolutely fantastic as well. Adore this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/24

Full Review

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Gary Nelson

Director

Maximilian Schell

Dr. Hans Reinhardt

Anthony Perkins

Dr. Alex Durant

Yvette Mimieux

Dr. Kate McCrae

Robert Forster

Captain Dan Holland

Joseph Bottoms

Lieutenant Charles Pizer

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Synopsis

In the future, a spaceship dubbed the USS Palomino is on its way back to Earth when it discovers another ship that had been assumed missing, the USS Cygnus. Kate McCrae (Yvette Mimieux), a scientist aboard the Palomino, learns that it's the same ship upon which her father had served as a crew member. When the Palomino's crew boards the Cygnus, they are met by Dr. Reindhardt (Maximilian Schell) and a bizarre, faceless army who plan to be the first people ever to explore a black hole.

Director: Gary Nelson
Producer: Ron Miller
Screenwriter: Jeb Rosebrook, Gerry Day
Production Co: Walt Disney Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 18, 1979, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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