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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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90% Tomatometer 73 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 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 Kevin Maher Sight & Sound Retreads the soggy ground staked out by Field of Dreams, with sentimental tears and group hugs as the answer to conflicting ideological standpoints. Dec 2, 2002 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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Samantha D 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/14/25 Full Review Francesco P This movie ispired my curiosity for the tecnology and science, is for sure one of my favourite movie, I've seen this when I was 10 (now I'm 23) and I will for sure show this to my children Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/09/25 Full Review Pedro Henrique C October Sky (1999) is a surprising film, the story is simple and very pleasant to watch, following young dreamers who are looking for a good purpose in life. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/08/25 Full Review Julian P With all the rubbish that is out there, how have I got to my age and not seen this movie before? It's superb. Yes Gyllenhall is excellent and there are occasional corny moments but the script is faultless but it is directed with such charm that only those with no pulse could possibly find it anything but inspiring. The contrast between the young aspirationals entering the new age and the coal mining town is sheer genius. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/08/25 Full Review Arjun l A nice wholesome movie about a small town boy with big dreams to be a rocket engineer. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/17/25 Full Review Rosemary P I've watched October Sky several times. It's a great film showing that it is possible to achieve your dreams Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/10/25 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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