The Last Starfighter

Play trailer

The Last Starfighter

PG

1984

1h 40m

Sci-Fi

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

90 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

After finally achieving the high score on Starfighter, his favorite arcade game, everyday teenager Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) meets the game's designer, Centauri (Robert Preston) -- who reveals that he created Starfighter as a training ground for developing and recruiting actual pilots to help fight a war in space. Whisked away from the banality of his trailer park life to a distant alien planet, Alex struggles to use his video game-playing skills to pilot a real ship, with real lives at stake.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

While The Last Starfighter is clearly derivative of other sci-fi franchises, its boundary-pushing visual effects and lovably plucky tone make for an appealing adventure.

Read Critics Reviews

Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

Perhaps the one area in which it’s ahead of its time is in its conceit of an arcade game being used as a military recruiting tool.

May 5, 2023

Full Review

Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

Writer Jonathan Betuel, to his credit, has invested a very human element in this film, an ingredient that all too many sci-fi, hardware presentations lack.

Jul 13, 2022

Full Review

Paul Taylor

Financial Times

An engaging enough comic fantasy for the post-'60s generation who've given up entirely on the Gutenberg Galaxy and are tracking Horatio Alger's footsteps via the video circuitry route.

May 3, 2022

Full Review

Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Careens with an unwieldy gait from one idea to the next, representing an admirable number of plates with a regrettable lack of hands to keep them spinning apace. It's basically a wonderful musical theme and a killer concept in search of high adventure.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 24, 2024

Full Review

Alan Jones

Starburst

Manages to draw some charm from its two-dimensional characters.

Jul 21, 2022

Full Review

William Wolf

Gannett News Service

The movie is entertaining in an unpretentious way. It also is extremely good-natured, despite the combat scenes, and some may find it a welcome relief from the summers more intense fantasy films.

May 3, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Ch

What a great revisiting of my childhood this was! I remember seeing this when I was young and jumped at the chance to see it on the big screen again! Thanks for showing great movies like this!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/27/24

Full Review

Ryan

Great story, though campy at times but thats part of charm Wonderful characters Dated graphics, program to date would make timeless.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/17/24

Full Review

kevin c

I just got out of this masterpiece. I was lucky enough to see this as a kid when I was 9. Ive watched this so many times Ive lost count, but seeing it on the big screen today was awesome. Happy 40th anniversary to The Last Starfighter

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/17/24

Full Review

Jimmy N.

Listen, I don’t write reviews. However, this is my first. Last star fighter… Seriously defines my generation. If you want Strong sons I’d recommend you watch this movie. If you want Loving daughters have them watch this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/01/25

Full Review

Noel L

It basically felt like a Star Wars rip off. I can also see where Gran Turismo got the idea from. The acting seemed solid but the CGI was dated.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/24/25

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the best soundtracks ever, great for kids, fun characters and a good message about confidence and the power of a individual. Robert Preston is perfectly cast as Centauri a futuristic used car salesman. Characters have heart and are well established. The story line is great and even though the special effects are dated the overall movie is beautiful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/13/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Nick Castle

Director

Lance Guest

Alex Rogan

Robert Preston

Centauri

Dan O'Herlihy

Grig

Catherine Mary Stewart

Maggie Gordon

Barbara Bosson

Jane Rogan

The Last Starfighter: Official Clip - The Last Starfighter

2:33

The Last Starfighter: Official Clip - A Gung Ho Iguana

1:35

The Last Starfighter: Official Clip - Death Blossom

2:50

The Last Starfighter: Official Clip - We Die

1:50

The Last Starfighter: Official Clip - A Terrible Nightmare

1:43

The Last Starfighter: Official Clip - Victory or Death!

2:36

The Last Starfighter: Official Clip - Interstellar Hit Beast

2:02

The Last Starfighter: Official Clip - Centauri's Proposition

3:00

The Last Starfighter: Official Clip - A New Adventure

2:34

The Last Starfighter: Official Clip - Record Breaker

2:08

View more videos

2010

68%

61%

2010

Watchlist

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

78%

69%

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Yor, the Hunter From the Future

14%

47%

Yor, the Hunter From the Future

Watchlist

Flash Gordon

83%

69%

Flash Gordon

Watchlist

Suburban Commando

15%

33%

Suburban Commando

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

After finally achieving the high score on Starfighter, his favorite arcade game, everyday teenager Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) meets the game's designer, Centauri (Robert Preston) -- who reveals that he created Starfighter as a training ground for developing and recruiting actual pilots to help fight a war in space. Whisked away from the banality of his trailer park life to a distant alien planet, Alex struggles to use his video game-playing skills to pilot a real ship, with real lives at stake.

Director: Nick Castle
Producer: Gary Adelson, Edward O. DeNault
Screenwriter: Jonathan R. Betuel
Rating: PG
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now