I spent some time with people who work at NASA recently. Many days, lots of fun. I cannot say anything about it and need to protect identities… but I asked them about the best space movies from people who know space. Here is their short list of movies and their thoughts on them.

Also, “What is a Sadstronaut movie” You ask? Sadstronauts are movies with sad space people. Yes, it’s an entire genre within space movies. Two Sadstronaut movies made this list’s Top Picks.

The Top Picks

Apollo 13

NASA must devise a strategy to return Apollo 13 to Earth safely after the spacecraft undergoes massive internal damage putting the lives of the three astronauts on board in jeopardy.

They love it, it is inspirational, and it totally holds up. I’m relieved to hear this as I hoped this would be true. One thing I didn’t know is that Tom Hanks did an educational series about NASA after the movie. I love that Tom Hanks kept digging in to inspire generation after generation of engineers and scientists. Click To Watch HERE On Prime Video.

Ad Astra

Astronaut Roy McBride undertakes a mission across an unforgiving solar system to uncover the truth about his missing father and his doomed expedition that now, 30 years later, threatens the universe.

The ultimate Sadstronaut movie. One person LOVED it. One person distinctly did not like it at all. I add it to this side of the list because the person who loved it described the world building as being fascinating and the personal story as the main point of the film, which is what I enjoyed about it, too. The person who voted this one down had an issue with the science… which is the case for all fictional films about space at some point. Click To Watch HERE on any of these platforms.

The Martian

An astronaut becomes stranded on Mars after his team assume him dead, and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive and can survive until a potential rescue.

It’s a crowd-pleaser for many reasons. One person said the ending was laughable as astronauts in training are often portrayed in movies as young, college-aged, youthful looking people. When in reality, and in her experience, the astronauts in training have years and years of flight training on top of multiple degrees just to begin to qualify. Of the thousands of astronaut program applications, the top 11,000+ have the actual base-requirements to make it to the first round of consideration. The students sitting in front of Matt Damon should look at least a decade older than they do in the movie. Click To Watch HERE on any of these platforms.

For All Mankind (TV Series, Drama)

In an alternative version of 1969, the Soviet Union beats the United States to the Moon, and the space race continues on for decades with still grander challenges and goals.

So good, lots of love here. But it’s not everyone’s cup of tea for dramatic entertainment reasons, no one had an issue with anything space related. Click To Watch HERE On Apple TV Plus.

The Worst Culprits

Gravity

Two astronauts work together to survive after an accident leaves them stranded in space.

No one liked this one. I enjoyed the movie, but it was just a little too rough at each stage of the film for people who work in the field. One person actively hated it. It was a rough chat. Click To Watch HERE On Prime Video.

Space Force (TV Series, Comedy)

The people tasked with creating a sixth branch of the armed services: The Space Force.

ALTHOUGH it was enjoyed for it’s humor, one person never bothered to watch it as they aren’t really interested in it as a space professional, it didn’t even reach them as an option. One person described the bureaucracy as being too real-to-life that is is too painful to enjoy. The humor isn’t entertainment when it’s too close to home. Click To Watch HERE On NETFLIX.

It was a joy and a pleasure to hear what people at NASA (and from Space X, too) thought of these movies. I can never get enough of space movies and Sadstronaut movies, too. What are your top picks and why? @TheDrillMag on Insta.