Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Play trailer

1:49

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

PG

1977

2h 15m

Sci-Fi

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Bruce McCabe

Boston Globe

04/03/2024

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.

Go to Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

04/03/2024

3.5/4

["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.

Go to Full Review

Andrew Sarris

Village Voice

04/03/2024

Simply a thoughtless exercise in instant self-gratification. Actually, I felt sorry for this muddled movie with its childlike vulnerability.

Go to Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Sep 12

4/5

Leave it to Stephen Spielberg to deliver a movie about aliens where the aliens themselves are the least interesting part of the experience.

Go to Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

Jul 6

4/4

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.

Go to Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Jan 15

3.5/4

...an epic, ambitious piece of work that effectively captures the viewer’s interest and attention right from the get-go...

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Sarah

Sep 27

Have always loved this movie. Richard Dreyfuss is the best.

See more

REBECCA KAISER

04/14/2022

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

See more

Ann B

04/12/2022

I hope you show more classics.

See more

rex w

3d

"Close Encounters..." doesn't have the same effect as it did when it came out in 1977. However, it still packs a whallop for space dreamers. The special effects and the musical score were on another level for its time.

See more

Alexsander F

Dec 1

Absolute Cinema! Truffaut

See more

Harold C.

@ChambersContent Oct 29

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.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Steven Spielberg

Director

Richard Dreyfuss

Roy Neary

François Truffaut

Claude Lacombe

Teri Garr

Ronnie Neary

Melinda Dillon

Jillian Guiler

Cary Guffey

Barry Guiler

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy's Mashed Potatoes

2:13

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy Leaves

1:42

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?

2:05

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Contact

2:11

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

2:05

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - The UFOs Surround the House

2:09

View more videos

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

93%

82%

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Watchlist

The Black Hole

42%

45%

The Black Hole

Watchlist

Logan's Run

58%

67%

Logan's Run

Watchlist

Flash Gordon

83%

69%

Flash Gordon

Watchlist

Meteor

5%

14%

Meteor

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Craig Robinson, Adam Scott, and Amber West Reveal 8 Scary/Funny Things About Ghosted

Watch Online: Beauty and the Beast, American Vandal, The Lost City of Z, and More on Netflix and Amazon Prime

New On DVD This Week: Wonder Woman, The Big Sick, and More

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Trailer 1

1:49

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 40th Anniversary Trailer

2:24

View more videos

View more photos

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)

Most Popular at Home Now