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Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Play trailer 1:49 Poster for Close Encounters of the Third Kind PG 1977 2h 15m Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 116 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Science fiction adventure about a group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) witnesses an unidentified flying object, and even has a "sunburn" from its bright lights to prove it. Roy refuses to accept an explanation for what he saw and is prepared to give up his life to pursue the truth about UFOs.
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Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

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Critics Consensus

Close Encounters of the Third Kind is deeply humane sci-fi exploring male obsession, cosmic mysticism, and music.

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Critics Reviews

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Bruce McCabe Boston Globe 04/03/2024
This is a revolutionary film. It's revolutionary in the sense that it suggests, as few films have, the extraordinary sensory potential of the medium. Go to Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune 04/03/2024
3.5/4
["Close Encounters"] attempts to conquer fear of the unknown with love. Maybe the movies will begin to lead us away from their early '70s nightmare visions to a new, more benign fantasy world. As a filmgoer sated with violence, I'm ready. Go to Full Review Andrew Sarris Village Voice 04/03/2024
Simply a thoughtless exercise in instant self-gratification. Actually, I felt sorry for this muddled movie with its childlike vulnerability. Go to Full Review Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Sep 12
4/5
Leave it to Stephen Spielberg to deliver a movie about aliens where the aliens themselves are the least interesting part of the experience. Go to Full Review Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight Jul 6
4/4
Tying various mysterious vessel disappearances into an alien abduction plot, Spielberg’s first screenplay for a studio film is also his best, exploring obsession and human curiosity through the lens of alien conspiracies and government secrecy. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 01/15/2025
3.5/4
...an epic, ambitious piece of work that effectively captures the viewer’s interest and attention right from the get-go... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Sarah Sep 27 Have always loved this movie. Richard Dreyfuss is the best. See more REBECCA KAISER 04/14/2022 Forgot how much I liked that movie! Speilberg at his best!! I took my grandkids 11 and 6 they both fell asleep for the last 10 minutes!!! I tried to wake them but they were out!! I promised them we would find the movie and watch it again so they could see the ending! EPIC See more Ann B 04/12/2022 I hope you show more classics. See more Adam K @SunsetLonerCinema 1d Beyond its captivating visuals, beautiful music, and endearing story about contact with another form of life, there is a heartbreaking angle around a man abandoning his family because he is so taken by a vision he keeps having. See more Mason W @RT99064921 2d Just watched this for the first time as a person naturally fascinated by both aliens and movies. The fact that this is Spielberg's second movie is astonishing to me. It’s one of the best alien films of all time, but it plays out more like a legal drama or a great mystery- every scene is more intriguing than the last, made so more by the human interactions and reactions than the aliens themselves. Those aliens, much like Jaws, aren't in the film much at all. When the spectacle or the aliens are shown to the audience, however, they look spectacular, accompanied by a great score that tantalizingly comes to life along with the intrigue of the film as a whole. Both culminate in a beautiful, uplifting crescendo as the credits roll. Spielberg, Williams, Dreyfuss, and everyone else involved are masters of their crafts, a statement on full display for every second of this film. Incredible! See more Travis M @TMorg007 May 20 Classic film that combines the epic scope of UFO phenomena with the human side trying to navigate the uncertainty. Solid acting, FX, story, music, and a great ending. This movie has it all. Enjoy! See more Read all reviews
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

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Cast & Crew

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Steven Spielberg

Director

Richard Dreyfuss

Roy Neary

François Truffaut

Claude Lacombe

Teri Garr

Ronnie Neary

Melinda Dillon

Jillian Guiler

Cary Guffey

Barry Guiler

Movie Clips

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Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy's Mashed Potatoes Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy's Mashed Potatoes 2:13 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy Leaves Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy Leaves 1:42 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Communicating with the Mothership Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Communicating with the Mothership 2:11 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Who Are You People? Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Who Are You People? 2:05 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Contact Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Contact 2:11 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy's First UFO Encounter Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy's First UFO Encounter 2:10 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Chasing the UFOs Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Chasing the UFOs 2:05 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - The UFOs Surround the House Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - The UFOs Surround the House 2:09 View more videos

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Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Trailer 1 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Trailer 1 1:49 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 40th Anniversary Trailer Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 40th Anniversary Trailer 2:24 View more videos
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Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) A scene from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." A scene from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." A scene from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." A scene from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." A scene from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Science fiction adventure about a group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) witnesses an unidentified flying object, and even has a "sunburn" from its bright lights to prove it. Roy refuses to accept an explanation for what he saw and is prepared to give up his life to pursue the truth about UFOs.
Director
Steven Spielberg
Producer
Julia Phillips, Michael Phillips
Screenwriter
Steven Spielberg
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures, Julia Phillips and Michael Phillips Productions, EMI Films
Rating
PG
Genre
Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 16, 1977, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jul 7, 2024
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.1M
Runtime
2h 15m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)