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October Sky

Play trailer Poster for October Sky PG 1999 1h 48m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 72 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
John Hickam (Chris Cooper) is a West Virginia coal miner who loves his job and expects his sons, Jim (Scott Miles) and Homer (Jake Gyllenhaal), to follow in his footsteps. But Jim gets a football scholarship, and Homer becomes interested in rocket science after seeing Sputnik 1 crossing the sky. John disapproves of his son's new mania, but Homer begins building rockets with the help of friends and a sympathetic teacher (Laura Dern). Rocketry, he hopes, will prove his ticket to a better life.
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October Sky

October Sky

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Critics Consensus

Rich in sweet sincerity, intelligence, and good old-fashioned inspirational drama, October Sky is a coming-of-age story with a heart to match its Hollywood craftsmanship.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/26/2010
5/5
Inspiring tale for older tweens and up. Go to Full Review
Trevor Johnston Time Out 01/26/2006
The TV movie subject matter is infused with genuine feeling for the value of learning as a passport to freedom, and an authentic regard for the honest graft of working men. Go to Full Review
Kevin Maher Sight & Sound 12/02/2002
Retreads the soggy ground staked out by Field of Dreams, with sentimental tears and group hugs as the answer to conflicting ideological standpoints. Go to Full Review
Zaki Hasan Zaki's Corner 01/29/2019
A-
Put simply, October Sky is a great movie, the kind that restores one's faith in the power of cinema. It deserves to be cherished and treasured. Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 08/29/2015
3/4
...compulsively watchable... Go to Full Review
John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews 02/24/2011
B
uplifting family film with great values Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Degi D @Deggy 3d So nice to see youth of the actors. Inspiring & feel good movie See more Joshua m @Flameon Nov 14 This is such a great movie. Yes, it is a little sentimental but in a good way. See more Matt M Nov 2 Such a beautifully made film! I highly recommend you take the time to see this heartfelt movie. It's something you'll end up watching once every few years when you need a feel good, fall season movie. I hope it leaves as good of a feeling in your heart as it does mine. See more Randy M Oct 27 I found myself recommending the film to friends 👍 See more Jelisije J Sep 22 An inspiring true story of a young man trying to make something of himself while living in a small dying town with the peer pressure of his father driving him away from his passion. See more Samantha D Sep 14 October Sky is a movie that really sticks with you. It’s based on a true story about a group of boys in a small mining town who decide to build rockets. You might think it's just a simple story, but it’s so much more than that. It's about hope, big dreams, and believing in yourself even when everyone around you wants you to follow a different path. Jake Gyllenhaal gives a fantastic performance as Homer Hickam. He perfectly shows the struggle between pleasing his tough father and chasing his own dream. The relationship between Homer and his dad, played by Chris Cooper, is the heart of the movie. It’s a powerful and honest look at how love and conflict can exist at the same time. The film does a great job of showing what life was like in a coal mining town in the 1950s. You really feel the pressure and the sense that your future is already decided for you. But among all of that, the moments when the boys succeed (when their rockets soar into the sky) are incredibly inspiring and exciting. October Sky is a feel-good movie without being cheesy. It’s proof that with enough passion and hard work, you can achieve something amazing. It’s a timeless story that shows the power of curiosity and chasing a dream, no matter where you come from. See more Read all reviews
October Sky

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October Sky

October Sky: Official Clip - This One's Gonna Go for Miles October Sky: Official Clip - This One's Gonna Go for Miles 2:21 October Sky: Official Clip - Test Launches October Sky: Official Clip - Test Launches 2:41 October Sky: Official Clip - Railroad Scare October Sky: Official Clip - Railroad Scare 2:09 October Sky: Official Clip - First Prize October Sky: Official Clip - First Prize 1:40 October Sky: Official Clip - He Isn't My Hero October Sky: Official Clip - He Isn't My Hero 1:54 October Sky: Official Clip - Going to Indianapolis October Sky: Official Clip - Going to Indianapolis 1:26 October Sky: Official Clip - Homer Proves His Innocence October Sky: Official Clip - Homer Proves His Innocence 2:11 October Sky: Official Clip - Success! October Sky: Official Clip - Success! 2:11 October Sky: Official Clip - It's Headed for the Mine! October Sky: Official Clip - It's Headed for the Mine! 1:39 October Sky: Official Clip - Gift from Miss Riley October Sky: Official Clip - Gift from Miss Riley 1:08 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis John Hickam (Chris Cooper) is a West Virginia coal miner who loves his job and expects his sons, Jim (Scott Miles) and Homer (Jake Gyllenhaal), to follow in his footsteps. But Jim gets a football scholarship, and Homer becomes interested in rocket science after seeing Sputnik 1 crossing the sky. John disapproves of his son's new mania, but Homer begins building rockets with the help of friends and a sympathetic teacher (Laura Dern). Rocketry, he hopes, will prove his ticket to a better life.
Director
Joe Johnston
Producer
Larry J. Franco, Charles Gordon
Screenwriter
Homer H. Hickam Jr., Lewis Colick
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 19, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$32.6M
Runtime
1h 48m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround
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