Flight of the Navigator

Play trailer

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

NASHVILLE I

A lost treasure. Disney honestly didn't know what to do with this...it's more serious than a kid's film, a lot like ET! The story is incredibly clever and builds enough mystery that you're dying to find out the explanation. The one big knock though is that they take the plot building just a bit too far, and you have to wait for 50% of the movie to go by before you get to the exciting part.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/08/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 29 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $17,200,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

Full Review

Steve N

Released a few weeks after I was born, must have seen it a thousand times when I was young. It’s one of the great movies of the period along with neverending story, labyrinth etc

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

Full Review

CIARAN W

This is the movie that introduced me to the Si Fi world, and I have never turned back, first watched when I was 12 last watched 6 months ago, I truly, underrated classic. watch it you will be back to see it again and again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/15/25

Full Review

C D

Why is this so funny

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/08/25

Full Review

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

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Randal Kleiser

Director

Joey Cramer

David Freeman

Veronica Cartwright

Helen Freeman

Cliff DeYoung

Bill Freeman

Sarah Jessica Parker

Carolyn McAdams

Matt Adler

Jeff (16 years)

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

99%

72%

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Watchlist

TRAILER

for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf

71%

46%

White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf

Watchlist

White Fang

67%

63%

White Fang

Watchlist

Tom and Huck

25%

42%

Tom and Huck

Watchlist

Treasure Planet

69%

73%

Treasure Planet

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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: Viking Film, Producers Sales Organization, Walt Disney Pictures
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

Most Popular at Home Now