Flight of the Navigator

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Flight of the Navigator

PG

Released Jul 30, 1986

1h 29m

Kids & Family

Sci-Fi

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

85%

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33 Reviews

75%

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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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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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Victoria Mather

Daily Telegraph (UK)

It is good, cheery stuff and stimulating in a healthy Boy's Own tradition.

Jan 22, 2025

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/15/25

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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

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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

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C D

Why is this so funny

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/08/25

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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

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Audience Member

One of the greatest family movies of the 80's

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

Full Review

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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)

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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

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