Flight of the Navigator

Play trailer

Flight of the Navigator

PG

1986

1h 29m

Kids & Family

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

This 1978 Disney adventure tells the story of 12-year-old David (Joey Cramer) who lives with his family in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. When he awakens from being accidentally knocked out in the forest near his home, he finds that eight years have passed. His family is overjoyed to have him back, but just as perplexed as he is by the fact that he hasn't aged. When a NASA scientist (Howard Hesseman) discovers a UFO nearby, David gets the chance to unravel the mystery and recover the life he lost.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Bolstered by impressive special effects and a charming performance from its young star, Flight of the Navigator holds up as a solidly entertaining bit of family-friendly sci-fi.

Read Critics Reviews

Victoria Mather

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Jan 22, 2025

It is good, cheery stuff and stimulating in a healthy Boy's Own tradition.

Go to Full Review

Lee Siegel

Associated Press

Oct 25, 2018

Flight of the Navigator won't earn a place among Disney's classics. but it's a perfectly entertaining sci-fi movie that does a creditable job with the stale human-meets-alien theme.

Go to Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Tribune

Apr 1, 2014

3/4

When the film shifts into the action mode in its second half -- the flying saucer returns to aid in David`s rescue -- it becomes quite bright and lively.

Go to Full Review

Philip French

Observer (UK)

Jan 22, 2025

The junior Rip Van Winkle part of the film is amusing and genuinely touching. The rest is less so, though it interestingly combines two recurrent themes in recent American cinema.

Go to Full Review

Kelechi Ehenulo

VultureHound

Jul 15, 2020

4/5

When you add up all the evidence, Flight of the Navigator remains one of the most underrated pinnacles of the sci-fi genre, a euphoric mix of pop culture nostalgia and feel-good entertainment.

Go to Full Review

William Wolf

Gannett News Service

Nov 6, 2019

Flight of the Navigator, the Disney studio's new movie aimed at children, has the warmed-over feeling of other time-travel yarns. But the story is snappily told and is sure to keep youngsters enthralled.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Gunner I

@RT64755212 Sep 13, 2026

I remember watching this movie back in the 80s. It's beyond anyone's wildest dreams to take a ride in a flying saucer. This movie answers that dream, especially for an 80s movie.

See more

Robert P

@Superbad Sep 6, 2026

Flight of the Navigator = *4* star Movie

See more

Tim M

@tgmacman May 28, 2026

Flight of the Navigator has enough sense of wonder to find its way, even if it is strictly for children.

See more

Zaccario P.

@zaccarioplanetoid Mar 27, 2026

This movie was underrated when it came out, but I’d hold it up to classics like E.T. and Goonies.

See more

ERIC G.

@ericgreene1977 Mar 13, 2026

This is my favorite movie of all times. I love this movie

See more

Victoria

@Victoria13 Jan 11, 2026

I was shocked that this was fun

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Randal Kleiser

Director

Joey Cramer

David Freeman

Veronica Cartwright

Helen Freeman

Cliff DeYoung

Bill Freeman

Sarah Jessica Parker

Carolyn McAdams

Matt Adler

Jeff (16 years)

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

99%

72%

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Watchlist

TRAILER

for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf

71%

46%

White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf

Watchlist

White Fang

71%

63%

White Fang

Watchlist

Tom and Huck

25%

42%

Tom and Huck

Watchlist

Treasure Planet

68%

73%

Treasure Planet

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

This 1978 Disney adventure tells the story of 12-year-old David (Joey Cramer) who lives with his family in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. When he awakens from being accidentally knocked out in the forest near his home, he finds that eight years have passed. His family is overjoyed to have him back, but just as perplexed as he is by the fact that he hasn't aged. When a NASA scientist (Howard Hesseman) discovers a UFO nearby, David gets the chance to unravel the mystery and recover the life he lost.

Director: Randal Kleiser
Producer: Robert Wald, Dmitri Villard
Screenwriter: Michael Burton, Matt McManus
Production Co: Viking Film, Producers Sales Organization, Walt Disney Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Sci-Fi, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 30, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.2M
Runtime: 1h 29m
Sound Mix: Surround

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings