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October Sky

Play trailer Poster for October Sky PG Released Feb 19, 1999 1h 48m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 74 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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Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Rated: B Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Inspiring tale for older tweens and up. Rated: 5/5 Dec 26, 2010 Full Review Trevor Johnston Time Out 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. Jan 26, 2006 Full Review Zaki Hasan Zaki's Corner 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. Rated: A- Jan 29, 2019 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...compulsively watchable... Rated: 3/4 Aug 29, 2015 Full Review John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews uplifting family film with great values Rated: B Feb 24, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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r96 s 'October Sky' got me in the feels. I tend to (unintentionally) be a bit of a hardnose when it comes to fiction (even if a biopic) making an impact, but it does occasionally happen and this is one of those times. Weirdly too, because it is cheesy/cliché/whatever, but it worked tremendously for me. I felt my heartstrings tug a fair number of times throughout, culminating with those lovely final few scenes; I was actually welling up, would you believe? Any longer and tears may have been shed shudder. I've basically only seen one movie this last month - what has the break done to me?! Humour aside, I did love this though. I've said it before, but to be honest if you give me what I consider to be great cast performances then I'm practically sold on the film upon that coming to fruition. Jake Gyllenhaal is terrific (this still doesn't surpass 'Source Code', mind) as lead. Chris Cooper is ace, as are Laura Dern and Natalie Canerday. Chris Owen (Sherminator!), Chad Lindberg (Jesse!) and William Lee Scott (eh... well, Roy Lee as of now!) are good supports to Gyllenhaal as well. Even the likes of Elya Baskin and Randy Stripling add needed small bits. The music is good too, especially towards the end; early on it kinda goes with what I said about the flick being a tad cheesy and/or cliché. I would describe the movie as that to be frank, but that is more endearing than anything else. I'm fine with those things if it works, which it pleasantly does here. Joe Johnston really went back-to-back with this and 'Jumanji'. Impressive! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/02/25 Full Review Faiz D Deeply moving with a whole lot of heart. It inspires you to defy the odds and follow your passion, your heart and your dreams. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/13/25 Full Review thiago s Filme bacaninha, o roteiro é mais ou menos, as cenas são bacaninhas, o elenco é mais ou menos, e alguns ajudam a melhorar o filme, a história é mais ou menos, os personagens sao fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes para fazer o filme ser bom. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 05/09/25 Full Review Alexandre N An excellent coming of age / feel good story. Clearly a breakout role for Jake Gyllenhaal. I think it should have got some recognition at the Oscars. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/15/24 Full Review Ridwoan R Boy oh boy! It's a masterpiece of all times 💖 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/22/24 Full Review Horror fan 4 A absolutely amazing movie with great performances by Gyllenhaal and Dern! Tim Treakle Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/03/24 Full Review 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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