The Black Hole

A journey that begins where everything ends.

1979 • 98 min • Adventure · Science Fiction · Action

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Synopsis

The explorer craft USS Palomino is returning to Earth after a fruitless 18-month search for extra-terrestrial life when the crew comes upon a supposedly lost ship, the USS Cygnus, hovering near a black hole. The ship is controlled by Dr. Hans Reinhardt and his monstrous robot companion, but the initial wonderment and awe the Palomino crew feel for the ship and its resistance to the power of the black hole turn to horror as they uncover Reinhardt's plans.

Our family guide

Best from age 9

Movie Knight Score

559 reviews

100 Reviewers · 1 · 51%
58 Audience · 558 · 49%

The USS Palomino crew discovers a long-lost ship, the USS Cygnus, hovering perilously close to a black hole. Its eccentric creator, Dr. Reinhardt, and his menacing robot reveal sinister plans, turning the crew's wonder into a fight for survival against the cosmic forces at play.

Violence & peril: 4/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 0/10
Romance & sensuality: 0/10
Scary moments: 6/10

Heads up

Disorienting visuals near the black hole
Suspenseful scenes with menacing robots
A dark, otherworldly ending

What it models well

Teamwork and cooperation
Bravery in the face of danger
Sacrifice for the greater good

Talk about it after

The wonders and dangers of space exploration
Ethical considerations in scientific discovery
The nature of good versus evil and redemption

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Black Hole. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

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Top billed cast

Director: Gary Nelson • Crew: Jeb Rosebrook, Gerry Day, Bob Barbash, Jeb Rosebrook, Richard H. Landau

Trailers & clips

Reviewer notes

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
A little like the "Godi" in "Island at the Top of the World" I vividly recall the first time that I set eyes on "Maximilian" the menacing robot in this far darker Disney film from 1979. The "Palomino" discovers the long lost "Cygnus" on the precipice of a black hole and they board her.…
CinemaSerf, TMDB Community