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Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Play trailer 1:49 Poster for Close Encounters of the Third Kind PG 1977 2h 15m Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 116 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Science fiction adventure about a group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) witnesses an unidentified flying object, and even has a "sunburn" from its bright lights to prove it. Roy refuses to accept an explanation for what he saw and is prepared to give up his life to pursue the truth about UFOs.
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Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

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Critics Consensus

Close Encounters of the Third Kind is deeply humane sci-fi exploring male obsession, cosmic mysticism, and music.

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Critics Reviews

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Bruce McCabe Boston Globe This is a revolutionary film. It's revolutionary in the sense that it suggests, as few films have, the extraordinary sensory potential of the medium. Apr 3, 2024 Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune ["Close Encounters"] attempts to conquer fear of the unknown with love. Maybe the movies will begin to lead us away from their early '70s nightmare visions to a new, more benign fantasy world. As a filmgoer sated with violence, I'm ready. Rated: 3.5/4 Apr 3, 2024 Full Review Andrew Sarris Village Voice Simply a thoughtless exercise in instant self-gratification. Actually, I felt sorry for this muddled movie with its childlike vulnerability. Apr 3, 2024 Full Review Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Leave it to Stephen Spielberg to deliver a movie about aliens where the aliens themselves are the least interesting part of the experience. Rated: 4/5 Sep 12, 2025 Full Review Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight Tying various mysterious vessel disappearances into an alien abduction plot, Spielberg’s first screenplay for a studio film is also his best, exploring obsession and human curiosity through the lens of alien conspiracies and government secrecy. Rated: 4/4 Jul 6, 2025 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...an epic, ambitious piece of work that effectively captures the viewer’s interest and attention right from the get-go... Rated: 3.5/4 Jan 15, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Sarah Have always loved this movie. Richard Dreyfuss is the best. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/27/25 Full Review REBECCA KAISER Forgot how much I liked that movie! Speilberg at his best!! I took my grandkids 11 and 6 they both fell asleep for the last 10 minutes!!! I tried to wake them but they were out!! I promised them we would find the movie and watch it again so they could see the ending! EPIC Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/14/22 Full Review Ann B I hope you show more classics. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/12/22 Full Review Harold C. A slow burn that builds into pure awe, Spielberg balances human drama with spectacle in a way that feels like it truly means something. The finale, paired with Williams’ unforgettable score, makes the whole journey worth it. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/29/25 Full Review Michael W This sci-fi classic was really good. Richard Dreyfuss, Francois Truffaut, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, Bob Balaban, Cary Guffey, and the rest of the cast did a fantastic job in this movie. The plot of the movie was thrilling, adventurous, and incredible. It's about discovering something extraordinary and amazing. If you haven't seen this classic movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a definite must see. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/28/25 Full Review alex S. Honestly, this movie just drags. It's got that amazing Spielberg production and a classic John Williams score, but the whole thing is such a slow burn that it becomes a snoozefest leading up to a pretty "meh" ending. Plus, the main character, Roy Neary, is a total jerk who ditches his family for a dirt hill obsession, and I just couldn't stand him. 2.5 Stars Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/27/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

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Cast & Crew

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Steven Spielberg

Director

Richard Dreyfuss

Roy Neary

François Truffaut

Claude Lacombe

Teri Garr

Ronnie Neary

Melinda Dillon

Jillian Guiler

Cary Guffey

Barry Guiler

Movie Clips

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Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy's Mashed Potatoes Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy's Mashed Potatoes 2:13 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy Leaves Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy Leaves 1:42 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Communicating with the Mothership Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Communicating with the Mothership 2:11 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Who Are You People? Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Who Are You People? 2:05 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Contact Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Contact 2:11 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy's First UFO Encounter Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy's First UFO Encounter 2:10 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Chasing the UFOs Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Chasing the UFOs 2:05 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - The UFOs Surround the House Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - The UFOs Surround the House 2:09 View more videos

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Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Trailer 1 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Trailer 1 1:49 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 40th Anniversary Trailer Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 40th Anniversary Trailer 2:24 View more videos
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Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) A scene from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." A scene from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." A scene from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." A scene from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." A scene from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Science fiction adventure about a group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) witnesses an unidentified flying object, and even has a "sunburn" from its bright lights to prove it. Roy refuses to accept an explanation for what he saw and is prepared to give up his life to pursue the truth about UFOs.
Director
Steven Spielberg
Producer
Julia Phillips, Michael Phillips
Screenwriter
Steven Spielberg
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures, Julia Phillips and Michael Phillips Productions, EMI Films
Rating
PG
Genre
Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 16, 1977, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jul 7, 2024
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.1M
Runtime
2h 15m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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