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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 118 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 Apr 3, 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 Apr 3, 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 Apr 3, 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 Stephen A. Russell ScreenHub Jun 15, 2026
The magnificent film’s enduring place in cinematic history is surely down to Spielberg’s canny reckoning that third kind encounters work best viewed ... through everyday folks caught up in the starry-eyed spectacle. Go to Full Review Sebastian Zavala Kahn Me gusta el cine Jun 8, 2026
4/5
It is a unique experience; somewhat strange, quite cold, at times disturbing, but generally optimistic about what might happen if we were to make contact with extraterrestrials. [Full review in Spanish]. Go to Full Review Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Sep 12, 2025
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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Chris T Jun 23, 2026 After almost 50 years it stands up so well See more Sarah Sep 27, 2025 Have always loved this movie. Richard Dreyfuss is the best. See more REBECCA KAISER Apr 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 Apr 12, 2022 I hope you show more classics. See more Tristan W @twallcreative Sep 18, 2026 Doesn’t quite match the level of scale and detail as other alien films, making me feel a bit disappointed overall. But with a central family full of heart, it’s hard to not feel swept by the events that unfold See more AJ B @AJ_BEAN Aug 8, 2026 Im confused. This had such good reviews but was pretty disapointing. PROS: I do think this was an important film in sci fi film history because of how old it is... and I guess overall it was okay. The whole music idea was pretty cool. Visually was amazing. CONS: Most of the scenes were just unecessary and had no connection to the plot. I felt no emotional connection to the characters whatsoever. Whatever this movie was trying to tell me I have no idea what it was. Cant say I recommend??? 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 Now Playing Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy Leaves Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Roy Leaves 1:42 Now Playing 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 Now Playing 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 Now Playing Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Contact Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Contact 2:11 Now Playing 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 Now Playing Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Chasing the UFOs Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Official Clip - Chasing the UFOs 2:05 Now Playing 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 Now Playing 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 Now Playing Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 40th Anniversary Trailer Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 40th Anniversary Trailer 2:24 Now Playing 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)
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