'

Fire in the Sky

Play trailer

1:07

Fire in the Sky

PG-13

Released Mar 12, 1993

1h 47m

Drama

Sci-Fi

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

50%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In 1975, a group of five men are driving home after working in a forest when they see a mysterious light. Intrigued, Travis Walton (D.B. Sweeney) leaves the truck -- only to be sucked up by a flying saucer. The other four men report the strange event, but they are skeptically interrogated by Lt. Frank Watters (James Garner), who suspects that murder is behind Walton's disappearance. When Walton reappears five days later, his story of alien abduction is met with disbelief.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

While a valiant cast brings an authentic urgency to its harrowing alien abduction saga, Fire in the Sky unravels a story that's ultimately too thin and frustratingly coy with its revelations.

Read Critics Reviews

Marcus Trower

Empire Magazine

Never scratching below the surface "facts" of the story, this is too thin and unsophisticated to truly compel

Rated: 3/5

Jan 28, 2025

Full Review

SF Chronicle Staff

San Francisco Chronicle

D.B. Sweeney is persuasive as a man whose life is changed forever by an encounter with cold, unfeeling aliens.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 11, 2023

Full Review

Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

By opening in a rush of bewilderment before slowing things to a crawl, Robert Lieberman sets an unpredictable mood that sustains the film for a while.

Jun 23, 2022

Full Review

John Ferguson

Radio Times

Director Robert Lieberman wisely concentrates on the emotional impact of the event on a close-knit circle of friends and family, although the eventual revelation of the abduction is genuinely scary

Rated: 3/5

Jan 28, 2025

Full Review

Chris Hicks

Deseret News (Salt Lake City)

The film tells its story in deadly earnest, and that is its greatest failing.

Jan 28, 2025

Full Review

Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

The movie has enough strengths to overcome the odds and keep the audience onside, unlike the skeptical locals.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 22, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Thomas N

I think this film is brilliant. Not only does it feature alien abduction scenes that any child of the late ’80s and ’90s would have dreamed of after watching The X-Files, but the entire film—especially at the beginning—oozes delightful 1980s flair. It immediately evoked associations with films like The Lost Boys or the atmospheric style of Stephen King. A very cool Robert Patrick in a trucker look. Definitely one to watch in the original version.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/09/25

Full Review

Jessica W

Best alien abduction movie ever!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

Full Review

Kirk D

I have always loved this film. The fact that it’s based on a true story just makes it all the better. This is one of the best alien abduction films around.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/24

Full Review

Joel H

I’ve never really found alien-themed horror films to be that scary, but there’s something about Fire in the Sky that really creeps me out. It could be because I watched this movie as a teen, and it definitely made an impression. However, when I showed it to my kids, I was surprised by how the plot is mostly just a mystery-drama, and it’s not until the third act that things get frightening. But those scenes really are unworldly, with terrifying imagery and visual effects that still look believable decades after they were made. It made not be completely factual, but Fire in the Sky sticks in your mind.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/29/24

Full Review

Evan M

I can't believe the score isn't higher for this film. There is a severe lack of Alien Abduction Horror Films. There's thousands upon thousands of Zombie movies & Demonic Possession movies. But, trying to find a good Alien Abduction film, let alone any Alien Abduction film at all, is like trying to find a needle in a haystack... And this Alien Abduction film is the best of the best. Terrifying story, terrific acting, and the Aliens are very creepy. This is a 10/10 Horror/Sci-fi film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/23/24

Full Review

Larry L

I just read another site where this was the top sci-fi movie for several decades. And now I see what Rotten Tomatoes says about it and once again I have to ask myself do they actually watch these movies. I've seen it I like it I recommend it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/19/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Robert Lieberman

Director

D.B. Sweeney

Travis Walton

Robert Patrick

Mike Rogers

Craig Sheffer

Allan Dallis

Peter Berg

David Whitlock

James Garner

Sheriff Frank Walters

Fire in the Sky: Official Clip - Alien Experiments

2:13

Fire in the Sky: Official Clip - Travis Returns

2:13

Fire in the Sky: Official Clip - Travis Escapes

2:10

Fire in the Sky: Official Clip - The Space Suit Room

2:09

Fire in the Sky: Official Clip - We Gotta Go Back

2:03

Fire in the Sky: Official Clip - The Lie Detector Test

1:58

Fire in the Sky: Official Clip - Beamed

2:13

Fire in the Sky: Official Clip - Fire in the Sky

1:57

View more videos

The X-Files

66%

72%

The X-Files

Watchlist

Regarding Henry

49%

63%

Regarding Henry

Watchlist

Primer

72%

79%

Primer

Watchlist

Blue Chips

40%

51%

Blue Chips

Watchlist

School Ties

60%

69%

School Ties

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Fire in the Sky: Trailer 1

1:07

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

In 1975, a group of five men are driving home after working in a forest when they see a mysterious light. Intrigued, Travis Walton (D.B. Sweeney) leaves the truck -- only to be sucked up by a flying saucer. The other four men report the strange event, but they are skeptically interrogated by Lt. Frank Watters (James Garner), who suspects that murder is behind Walton's disappearance. When Walton reappears five days later, his story of alien abduction is met with disbelief.

Director: Robert Lieberman
Producer: Todd Black, Joe Wizan
Screenwriter: Travis Walton, Tracy Torme
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 12, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.6M
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now