Close Encounters of the Third Kind

We are not alone.

1977 • 137 min • Science Fiction · Drama

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Synopsis

After an encounter with UFOs, an electricity linesman feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen.

Our family guide

Best from age 9

Movie Knight Score

4778 reviews

100 Reviewers · 2 · 51%
74 Audience · 4776 · 49%

After a close encounter with UFOs, an everyday man is compelled to seek out a mysterious, isolated mountain. His journey intertwines with others drawn by similar visions as humanity prepares for an extraordinary first contact.

Violence & peril: 3/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 1/10
Romance & sensuality: 1/10
Scary moments: 4/10

Heads up

Some intense moments and loud sounds
Characters face family separation briefly
Depiction of mass hysteria and government secrecy

What it models well

Curiosity and exploration
Following your instincts
Awe and wonder of the unknown

Talk about it after

How different people react to the unknown
The importance of communication
The idea of intelligent life beyond Earth

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

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Top billed cast

Director: Steven Spielberg • Crew: Steven Spielberg

Trailers & clips

Fathom Events Spot

Steven Spielberg Discusses His Iconic Sci-Fi Film CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND | TCMFF 2024

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) - Trailer HD 1080p

Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Deleted Scenes

TCM Big Screen Classics Spot

'Property Brothers' Drew Scott talks 'Close Encounters' on TCM

Richard Dreyfuss Unboxing CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND 40TH ANNIVERSARY Ltd. Edition

Official Trailer

Reviewer notes

Recommended
I always remember as a child hoping/praying that if extra terrestrials ever did come to visit us, that they wouldn't arrive in America. Think "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951) or most other sci-fi stories: the first things they would see when they opened their door would be guns, tanks, missiles, soldiers... This film takes a far more sophisticated approach to how we might engage with an alien species, and to...
Geronimo1967, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
**Do the mashed potato!** Roy Neely is a gas repair man who has a close encounter with an alien craft and begins having strange visions of mashed potatoes, shaving cream and mud mountains. This all leads to Needy's marriage breaking up and he sets out to find the truth about his mashed potato visions. The climax at a mountain is breathtaking when Neely comes face to face with his destiny. One of Spielberg's ...
IanBeale, TMDB Community