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Poster for Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Seen it?

1977 | 137 min | Science Fiction, Drama

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (90% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won an Oscar, it made about 15 times its budget and people are still talking about it. Make plans for this one.

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

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for sci-fi fans. If you loved Disclosure Day or Independence Day, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 17 min.
What might put you off
Made in 1977: an older pace and style.

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.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    90% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesStrong

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsVery strong

    Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Cinematography. Won 1 BAFTA: British Academy Film Awards: Best Production Design. Also nominated for 7 more Oscars, 4 Golden Globes and 8 more BAFTAs. Plus 7 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerVery strong

    $307 million worldwide on a $20 million budget

  • Buzz & cultural impactVery strong

    About 842K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Steven Spielberg

  • Richard DreyfussRoy Neary
  • François TruffautClaude Lacombe
  • Teri GarrRonnie Neary
  • Melinda DillonJillian Guiler
  • Bob BalabanDavid Laughlin
  • J. Patrick McNamaraProject Leader
  • Warren J. KemmerlingWild Bill
  • Roberts BlossomFarmer
  • Phil DoddsARP Musician
  • Cary GuffeyBarry Guiler