Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for Apollo 11: First Steps on the Moon

Apollo 11: First Steps on the Moon

Seen it?

1996 | 93 min | Drama

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With soft box office and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Apollo 13 or First Man, start here.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 33 min.
What might put you off
Nothing much for most grown-ups.

Fearful that the Russians would continue their lead in the space race and be the first to put a man on the moon, NASA felt an enormous pressure to push the Apollo Program forward as quickly as possible, though they knew that pushing too hard could lead to the ultimate disaster. This film recreates the tensions that were felt not only by the three astronauts, Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins, but also by their families and by the teams of technicians training to deal with anything that could go wrong.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    Generally positive reviews

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 18K people sought it out in the past year

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Norberto Barba

  • Carmen ArgenzianoTom Paine
  • Tuck MilliganMartin Wells
  • Dennis LipscombGeorge Low
  • William MesnikBob Gilruth
  • Jack ConleyDeke Slayton
  • Michael ChieffoDr. Charles Berry
  • Jeffrey NordlingNeil Armstrong
  • James ParksMan at Bar
  • Barbara WhinneryLola Morrow
  • Wendie MalickPat Collins