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Cocoon: The Return

Play trailer Poster for Cocoon: The Return PG Released Nov 23, 1988 1h 56m Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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31% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 34% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Five years after the first "Cocoon," the friendly aliens from the planet Anterea return to Earth to rescue some incubation pods, which have been found by a team of scientists. The elderly people (Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley) who left Earth with them come along to visit with friends and family in Florida. Resuming their old lives proves alluring against the prospect of eternal life on Anterea. Meanwhile, the aliens try to rescue their children, with the help of scientist Sara (Courteney Cox).
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Cocoon: The Return

Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times The central weakness of Cocoon: the Return is that the film lacks any compelling reason to exist. Yes, it is a heartwarming film. Yes, the performances are wonderful, and, yes, it's great to see these characters back again. But that's about it. Rated: 2.5/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Insinuates that the seniors are bored of their paradise… its perversely pleased in taking away everything they have gained. [Full review in Spanish] Jun 16, 2022 Full Review Polly M. Robertus Common Sense Media A muddled morality tale. Rated: 3/5 Jan 2, 2011 Full Review Jeremy C. Fox Pajiba Mostly we get reheated leftovers and with even more mawkishness from the older actors and unfunny schtick from Steve Guttenberg. Sep 16, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Aug 2, 2005 Full Review Caffeinated Clint Moviehole Near on par with the original...Sweet, Funny, Memorable Rated: 3/5 Mar 4, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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nate m It's good to see the old cast again - most of them for the last time in film. The plot is thin, there's little drama, but if you liked the first movie, you'll probably have a relaxing couple of hours with this one. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Probably better if you watch it back to back with the under-rated first film. The performances are still wonderful. Even if the film just isn't necessary. You could also always skip this and make believe everyone lived happily ever after on a planet where they don't age more or die. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Frances H Not as good as the first one. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/05/19 Full Review Audience Member This is an unfairly hated sequel. It wasn't really needed but it closes up the loose ends mostly solid. Needed a better director but as a whole it's a fun ride. Guttenburg has more of the load from Dennihey this time but he does well and Tandy and her hubby are both fantastic. Ameche and Brimley are more in the background this time. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member Reviews are wrong - it's fantastic just like the first one. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member The elderly who left with the aliens return to Earth as their companions work to retrieve additional pods left in the ocean and one that was recovered by the government. All cast members return in some form. Still decent but wisely left at just one sequel. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Cocoon: The Return

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Cocoon: The Return

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Movie Info

Synopsis Five years after the first "Cocoon," the friendly aliens from the planet Anterea return to Earth to rescue some incubation pods, which have been found by a team of scientists. The elderly people (Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley) who left Earth with them come along to visit with friends and family in Florida. Resuming their old lives proves alluring against the prospect of eternal life on Anterea. Meanwhile, the aliens try to rescue their children, with the help of scientist Sara (Courteney Cox).
Director
Daniel Petrie
Producer
Richard D. Zanuck, David Brown, Lili Fini Zanuck
Screenwriter
Stephen McPherson
Production Co
20th Century Fox, Zanuck/Brown Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 23, 1988, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$18.5M
Runtime
1h 56m
Sound Mix
Surround
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