Fire in the Sky

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1:07

Fire in the Sky

PG-13

Released Mar 12, 1993

1h 47m

Drama

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

52%

Tomatometer

25 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.

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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

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

While it certainly isn’t brilliant, Fire in the Sky offers some fairly efficient story telling and a few effective visual and dramatic moments.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 2, 2022

Full Review

Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

Co-written by the real-life Walton, this biographical sci-fi drama leans into its story, showing the experience of Walton and his friends to be steadfastly true in the face of doubt from every angle.

Feb 22, 2024

Full Review

Victor Stiff

Victor Stiff Reviews

Fire in the Sky finesses the line between truth and fantasy, retelling Travis Walton’s story with notes of terror and cosmic wonder.

Aug 22, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

As with The Amityville Horror, The Entity, and The Conjuring franchise, here's another movie that purports to be “based on the true story” but is more likely based on an elaborate scheme to swindle the gullible.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 3, 2022

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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

Roger S

That this hoax is being peddled as a true story completely ruins it. If simply sold as a good old fashioned alien abduction Sci fi tale, it would be effective. Good special effects...

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/25/24

Full Review

David C

A thoughtful and well executed story about people, not aliens.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/08/24

Full Review

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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

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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

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Fire in the Sky: Trailer 1

1:07

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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)

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