October Sky

Play trailer

October Sky

PG

Released Feb 19, 1999

1h 48m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

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

Conrad C

Thought-provoking in some unexpected ways, and predictably inspiring, October Sky shines the spotlight on an exceptional story based on true events. A very young Jake Gyllenhaal plays the lead perfectly, and is backed up by good performances by the rest of the "Rocket Boys." The historical setting may have been seen before, but the focus on a small coal-mining town makes for relatively uncrowded waters.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/26/24

Full Review

Jude G

Wow wow wow wow wow wow

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/25/24

Full Review

Khalid N

October Sky is by far one of the most inspirational and heartwarming films I have ever seen. As a young man, I could relate to his academic ambition and his relationship with his father. This film teaches us not to settle for less and to listen to our hearts despite certain people's influence. We also learn about the unity in teamwork, suddenly a shy dork was part of something important and gained lifelong connections. Homer would never be able to win alone, and the team's determination and unity are what made them succeed. The acting from Jake was great but Chris Cooper's was phenomenal. The writing although some would say is predictable,I think not, It was rather well-written, especially the character development with Homer and his father, from being alienated and angry at each other to earning each other's respect and the struggle brought them closer than they were before. October sky is timeless and inspirational and the fact that it is based on a true story makes it even more beautiful.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/13/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Joe Johnston

Director

Jake Gyllenhaal

Homer Hickam

Chris Cooper

John Hickam

Laura Dern

Miss Frieda Riley

Chris Owen

Quentin Wilson

William Lee Scott

Roy Lee Cook

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

October Sky: Official Clip - This One's Gonna Go for Miles

2:21

October Sky: Official Clip - Test Launches

2:41

October Sky: Official Clip - Railroad Scare

2:09

October Sky: Official Clip - First Prize

1:40

October Sky: Official Clip - He Isn't My Hero

1:54

October Sky: Official Clip - Going to Indianapolis

1:26

October Sky: Official Clip - Homer Proves His Innocence

2:11

October Sky: Official Clip - Success!

2:11

October Sky: Official Clip - It's Headed for the Mine!

1:39

October Sky: Official Clip - Gift from Miss Riley

1:08

View more videos

A Dog of Flanders

24%

65%

A Dog of Flanders

Watchlist

Phenomenon

49%

59%

Phenomenon

Watchlist

Digging to China

33%

73%

Digging to China

Watchlist

The Hindenburg

31%

39%

The Hindenburg

Watchlist

Race to Space

71%

40%

Race to Space

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Jake Gyllenhaal’s 10 Best Movies

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now