Close Encounters of the Third Kind

PG

Released Nov 16, 1977

2h 15m

Sci-Fi

TRAILER

for Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Trailer 1

List

90%

Tomatometer

113 Reviews

85%

Audience Score

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.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

In Theaters

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Watch Close Encounters of the Third Kind with a subscription on Prime Video, rent on Fandango at Home, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Apple TV.

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

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

David Dugas

United Press International

If it doesn't quite match "2001" for cerebral elegance, it nevertheless is far grander than Spielberg's previous movie, Jaws, and vastly more absorbing than Star Wars.

Apr 3, 2024

Full Review

John Huddy

Miami Herald

The Steven Spielberg movie, instinctively or otherwise, is well timed. It is definitely a movie of the 1970s, for a people disgusted, bewildered -- and lost.

Apr 3, 2024

Full Review

Dorothy Smiljanich

Tampa Bay Times

Perhaps in this skeptical time, it is enough to know -- enough to wonder -- that a director and creator can still make a movie as awesome and visually satisfying as this one.

Rated: 5/5

Apr 3, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

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

Karl H

I bought this DVD for $3 because some folks have called it "rare." Well, not rare enough. While I enjoy the work of Teri Garr, the performances in this movie are nothing spectacular. The story is straightforward, and the practical effects are stunning. That, unfortunately, is about it. I didn't care enough about the characters to become invested in the movie, and some of their interactions felt unnatural. As for the DVD itself, it is a 2-disc set. One disc contains the movie with no features. The other disc has deleted scenes (which I can see why they were delete), a documentary with cast and crew interviews, and a short promotional clip from 1977. While I don't feel cheated for what I paid for the DVD, I also feel it is not a movie I will choose to rewatch anytime soon.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/25/24

Full Review

Tony B

One of the greatest movies of all time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/11/24

Full Review

Nano N

Not a fan of Spielbergs films for the lowest common denominator American anyway. This film looks like its relating some big important message but all i see is a pile of dirt and a giant chandelier in the sky. Tedious.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/08/24

Full Review

Beth M

This movie is still tremendous! Really wonderful on the big screen! Took our 22 yr old son to give him the big screen treat! He loved it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/08/24

Full Review

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

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

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

The Black Hole

41%

45%

The Black Hole

Flash Gordon

83%

69%

Flash Gordon

Westworld

84%

70%

Westworld

TRAILER

for Westworld

Logan's Run

58%

67%

Logan's Run

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, EMI Films, Julia Phillips and Michael Phillips Productions
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