The Black Hole

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The Black Hole

PG

1979

1h 37m

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

42%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

45%

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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David F

While not the best sci-fi film of its time, it suffers unfairly from comparisons to Star Wars, and the other four major space pictures that came out at the time. The reason it's unfair is that this was actually conceived as a disaster film, way before Star Wars was released. It has some stand-out performances, notably from Ernest Borgnine playing more or less the same character that he played in The Poseidon Adventure, Maximillian Schell, and Anthony Perkins. The matte work in the film is excellent, as is John Barry's music. The story is fairly predictable, and the robots... well, let's just say they will appeal to younger viewers.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

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Dave W

While there are occasional glimpses of creativity, this film is horribly flawed and a waste of time and money. The story begins dull and slowly gets sucked into a black hole of stupidity. An all-star cast cannot rescue it from its fate. It’s too late for me, I got sucked into the void, hoping all the while it would get better. Save yourself; avoid this at all costs…

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/29/25

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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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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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