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Flight of the Navigator

Play trailer Poster for Flight of the Navigator PG Released Jul 30, 1986 1h 29m Kids & Family Sci-Fi Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
85% Tomatometer 33 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
This 1978 Disney adventure tells the story of 12-year-old David (Joey Cramer) who lives with his family in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. When he awakens from being accidentally knocked out in the forest near his home, he finds that eight years have passed. His family is overjoyed to have him back, but just as perplexed as he is by the fact that he hasn't aged. When a NASA scientist (Howard Hesseman) discovers a UFO nearby, David gets the chance to unravel the mystery and recover the life he lost.
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Flight of the Navigator

Flight of the Navigator

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Critics Consensus

Bolstered by impressive special effects and a charming performance from its young star, Flight of the Navigator holds up as a solidly entertaining bit of family-friendly sci-fi.

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Critics Reviews

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Victoria Mather Daily Telegraph (UK) It is good, cheery stuff and stimulating in a healthy Boy's Own tradition. Jan 22, 2025 Full Review Lee Siegel Associated Press Flight of the Navigator won't earn a place among Disney's classics. but it's a perfectly entertaining sci-fi movie that does a creditable job with the stale human-meets-alien theme. Oct 25, 2018 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Tribune When the film shifts into the action mode in its second half -- the flying saucer returns to aid in David`s rescue -- it becomes quite bright and lively. Rated: 3/4 Apr 1, 2014 Full Review Philip French Observer (UK) The junior Rip Van Winkle part of the film is amusing and genuinely touching. The rest is less so, though it interestingly combines two recurrent themes in recent American cinema. Jan 22, 2025 Full Review Kelechi Ehenulo VultureHound When you add up all the evidence, Flight of the Navigator remains one of the most underrated pinnacles of the sci-fi genre, a euphoric mix of pop culture nostalgia and feel-good entertainment. Rated: 4/5 Jul 15, 2020 Full Review William Wolf Gannett News Service Flight of the Navigator, the Disney studio's new movie aimed at children, has the warmed-over feeling of other time-travel yarns. But the story is snappily told and is sure to keep youngsters enthralled. Nov 6, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dave C STILL stands as one of the best family movies of the 1980's! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/10/24 Full Review Audience Member One of the greatest family movies of the 80's Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/06/24 Full Review Rosana B Uma produção mega fofinha da Disney, uma máquina alienígena com recursos tecnológicos avançados com vida inteligente superior adorável, a história é toda fofinha. O menino cativante, e os diálogos de briguinha, entre o ser extraterrestre e o garoto são bem divertidos, bonitinho também são os monstrinhos aliens que a nave está ajudando a curar, o desfecho é meio fraquinho, os objetivos da visita rasos (coletar uma flor, sem mais explicações) mas o filme é uma aventura para as crianças, fofo... Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/04/24 Full Review Dale R The story of a kid who has a strange encounter with an alien spacecraft. The kid, played by Joey Cramer, does a solid job playing a lead role. He talks and acts like a kid would without being cute. Maybe this movie will be the end of the live-action child character curse. The spaceship, named Max and voiced by Paul Reubens (Pee Wee Herman), and the kid have an interesting dynamic. As the story progressed, I would have liked to see more development of their relationship. I remember loving this movie as a kid, but now that I’m older I see that, as a kid, I was the target demographic for this movie. There are a few things to like as an adult, but not enough to really recommend a repeat viewing. One view should be enough. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/07/24 Full Review Aidan M Haven't seen this in a while but I remember it was good Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/27/24 Full Review Joel H It's always a little scary to revisit favorites movies from your childhood. However, I'm happy to report that Flight of the Navigator still holds up after all these years. This movie is definitely geared towards children, but it's a solid science fiction story. I was also impressed with how well the 1986 visual effects held up today. Also, Joey Cramer is actually a pretty good little actor. I'm not sure if this would wow modern-day adults who didn't watch it as a child, but I still found it to be enjoyable and my kids, who watched it with me, were also engaged by David Freeman's unexpected adventure. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/12/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Flight of the Navigator

Flight of the Navigator (1986) Flight of the Navigator (1986) Flight of the Navigator (1986) Flight of the Navigator (1986) Flight of the Navigator (1986) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis This 1978 Disney adventure tells the story of 12-year-old David (Joey Cramer) who lives with his family in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. When he awakens from being accidentally knocked out in the forest near his home, he finds that eight years have passed. His family is overjoyed to have him back, but just as perplexed as he is by the fact that he hasn't aged. When a NASA scientist (Howard Hesseman) discovers a UFO nearby, David gets the chance to unravel the mystery and recover the life he lost.
Director
Randal Kleiser
Producer
Robert Wald, Dmitri Villard
Screenwriter
Michael Burton, Matt McManus
Production Co
Walt Disney Pictures, Viking Film, Producers Sales Organization
Rating
PG
Genre
Kids & Family, Sci-Fi, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 30, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$17.2M
Runtime
1h 29m
Sound Mix
Surround
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