Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, Cary Guffey ... see more see more... , Bob Balaban , J. Patrick McNamara , Warren Kemmerling , Roberts Blossom , Philip Dodds , Shawn Bishop , Adrienne Campbell , Justin Dreyfuss , Merrill Connally , George DiCenzo , Norman Bartold , Robert Broyles , Luis Contreras , Amy Douglass , Gene Dynarski , Matt Emery , Chuy Franco , Lance Henriksen , Randy Herman , Basil Hoffman , John Dennis Johnston , James Keane , Alexander Lockwood , Dennis McMullen , F.J. O'Neil , Bill Thurman , Carl Weathers , Keith Atkinson , Hal Barwood , David Gilbert , Matthew Robbins , Josef Sommer , Jon Ewing , Eumenio Blanco , Gene Rader , Galen Thompson , David Anderson , Bob Westmoreland

Steven Spielberg followed Jaws (1975), his first major box-office success, with this epic science fiction adventure about a disparate group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Roy Nea... read more read more...ry (Richard Dreyfuss) is an electrical lineman who, while sent out on emergency repairs, witnesses an unidentified flying object, and even has a "sunburn" from its bright lights to prove it. Neary's wife and children are at first skeptical, then concerned, and eventually fearful, as Roy refuses to accept a "logical" explanation for what he saw and is prepared to give up his job, his home, and his family to pursue the "truth" about UFOs. Neary's obsession eventually puts him in contact with others who've had close encounters with alien spacecraft, including Jillian (Melinda Dillon), a single mother whose son disappeared during her UFO experience, and Claude Lacombe (celebrated French filmmaker François Truffaut), a French researcher who believes that we can use a musical language to communicate with alien visitors. Lacombe's theory is put to the test when a band of government researchers and underground UFO enthusiasts (including Neary) join for an exchange with alien visitors near Devil's Tower, Wyoming. In 1980, a "Special Edition" was released. While its primary selling point was the addition of scenes inside the alien spaceship, Spielberg claimed that he also cleaned up some choppy editing in the second act. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

79% liked it

118,186 ratings

Critics

95% liked it

40 critics

PG, 2 hr. 15 min.

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Release Date: November 15, 1977

Keywords: sci-fi, alien

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: November 13, 2007

Get It:

Stats: 5,474 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Melinda Dillon in Close Encounters of the Third Kind Close Encounters of the Third Kind Close Encounters of the Third Kind Close Encounters of the Third Kind Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Close Encounters of the Third Kind Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Close Encounters of the Third Kind Close Encounters of the Third Kind Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Close Encounters of the Third Kind Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Close Encounters of the Third Kind Melinda Dillon in Close Encounters of the Third Kind Bob Balaban Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Upload a Photo | View All Close Encounters of the Third Kind Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (5,474)

  • danperry17
    March 25, 2012
    danperry17
    I think this film is more known for introducing us to what would become Spielberg's style: foggy lighting and space-age stories. I found it to be rather disjointed, and that the climax was less exciting than I had hoped, but it's a movie full of dream-like sequences - many of the... read morem classics, now - that you can lose yourself in, putting plot second to pure scopophilic pleasure. It's outdated, but it's definitely a movie everyone should see once.
  • aquateen2
    March 1, 2012
    aquateen2
    Close Encounters is a completely backwards film in the science fiction genre. It is a groundbreaking achievment because of it's strong character development in which we see a normal person become the alien on his own world as he grows obsessed. The music isn't that bad either and... read more the aliens have become iconic in the genre and are amazing to finally see after the splendid setup Spielberg achieves to create.
  • fb733768972
    December 9, 2011
    fb733768972
    The pure creation of this film astounds me to the point where I actually cannot believe it was even made. As I watch this amazingly perfect sci-fi classic, I begin to realize and believe that there may just be another life form out there in the universe. Steven Spielberg was mean... read moret to direct this film. The visual effects for it's time are gut-wrenchingly believable, even though they degrade over time, the shots are extremely impressive, managing to get the importance of every scene perfectly, the acting is believable, and the symbolism is just mesmerizing. There is not, and will never be a better sci-fi feature. "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" is the pinnacle of it's genre. One of the best films of all time!
  • DreamExtractor
    September 11, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    Steven Spielberg brings us a very real and unimaginable movie with Close Encounter, he is truly a great film maker. The film contains many mysteries and thrills and is a remarkable and breathtaking film. Steven Spielberg definitely assembled a fine cast of actors elevating the f... read moreilms strong story. Close Encounters is truly a film not to be missed and the visuals are stunning, the story combines Drama with mystery and Spielberg has crafted one of his greatest films. A must watch, and a true classic. Close Encounters Of The Third Kind is a timeless classic. and Spielberg tells an incredible story without really using anything that great. I mean, the plot is fairly simple, yet so effective. Spielberg manages to keep you intrigued right up to the end, and this is one of the things that makes this film so grand. While using so little, Steven Spielberg plays with your imagination and thus he manages to captivate you on his journey as Aliens communicate with the human species. With Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Steven Spielberg breaks new boundaries of the Sci Fi medium. Both films have broken new ground, and doesn't use the usual cliche of Alien space invaders out to destroy the earth. Close Encounters Of The Third Kind is a marvelous epic film told by a master filmmaker. This is one of Steven Spielbergs greatest achievements and has stood the test of time as a phenomenal classic of the genre. But one of the reasons the film holds up so well today is the great cast involved, Richard Dreyfuss, Francois Truffaut, Terri Garr and Melinda Dillon. Along with the great cast, the terrific story, and great special effects elevate this film as probably one of the greatest Sci Fi film ever made.
  • fb100001493964409
    August 18, 2011
    fb100001493964409
    In science fiction, there are great films, than there are masterpieces. This is a masterpiece. If it wasn't for literally 3 shots in the movie, it would be flawless. No, really. Truly flawless. But 3 bad effects shots involving aliens have aged so terribly that it yanks you out o... read moref the experience. Which is too bad, because the rest is so insanely engaging that it's caused critics and audience members alike to declare the film to be garbage. I can overlook these 3 small moments and remember that the rest of the film manages to be an incredible piece of filmmaking in general. Even though the aliens are friendly in this one, it still manages to be relentlessly creepy at certain points. You know your movie is downright nerve-wracking when you can make camera shots in a house ungodly creepy when there aren't even aliens on screen (also, the abduction scene is a great exercise in suspense and terror). But the overall package is very well done. If bits of the ending were smoothed out, this would be in a tie with "Schindler's List" for Spielberg's best film (I'm dead serious about that). But as it stands, a very solid second place.
  • fb100001050230219
    August 18, 2011
    fb100001050230219
    Spielberg pulls off something quite brilliant in ''Close Encounters''. He manages to make both a great study of a normal family and how after recent events it starts to tear them apart and also make a masterful science fiction movie. This is everything a Hollywood blockbuster sho... read moreuld be and with interesting characters, an amazing score from John Williams, superb special effects and most importantly for me, a strong heart, ''Close Encounters of the Third Kind'' stands in my top 5 favourite science fiction films of all-time.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    August 4, 2011
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    We are not alone

    Very Good Film! I was amazed on the special effects it had specially in the ending. This movie was done by the great Steven Spielberg which he filmed when he was just starting to direct in movie. This film actually won an Oscar for Best Cinematography and well d... read moreeserved. Richard Dreyfuss really nailed his role and at the end you finally understand his weird acting through the film. The story might be at times boring and it makes you wonder about things but at the end all the answers and doubts are resolved and cleared. The ending is basically the best thing of this film. Filmed at 1977 incredibly so, just watch and enjoy, recommended to all.

    Cableman Roy Neary is one of several people who experience a close encounter of the first kind, witnessing UFOs flying through the night sky. He is subsequently haunted by a mountainlike image in his head and becomes obsessed with discovering what it represents, putting severe strain on his marriage. Meanwhile, government agents around the world have a close encounter of the second kind, discovering physical evidence of otherworldly visitors in the form of military vehicles that went missing decades ago suddenly appearing in the middle of nowhere. Roy and the agents both follow the clues they have been given to reach a site where they will have a close encounter of the third kind: contact.
  • sergioogarcia
    June 24, 2011
    sergioogarcia
    Even if you don't believe it, Ronald Reagan said: "That's exactly what happened". Incredible visual effects, suspense, sound effects, story, direction, acting. Some of my favorite scenes when the mothership answers and break all the glasses. And the alien in the kitchen. Spielber... read moreg work with kids like nobody else.
  • spielberg00
    June 14, 2011
    spielberg00
    A slow-moving, awkward alien contact movie. Should go in a Spielberg Trilogy with "E.T." and his first film, "Firelight".
  • ajv2688
    January 5, 2011
    ajv2688
    First of all, I'm surprised to find out that francois Truffaut was in this movie, I wonder if that's a mistake? Anyway, this movie is considered a classic Spielberg film, but I didn't care for it. The aliens in this movie are very mysterious and we don't learn much about them. ... read more Plus, the people are doing enough weird things maybe we don't even need aliens. Not bad, but not good, I felt this movie could have been better.

View All Close Encounters of the Third Kind Reviews

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert
September 8, 2007
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

One of the great moviegoing experiences. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
June 5, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

This is dopey Hollywood mysticism all right, but thanks to considerable craft and showmanship, it packs an undeniable punch. Full Review

A.D. Murphy
June 5, 2007
A.D. Murphy, Variety

A daring film concept which in its special and technical effects has been superbly realized. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

The best -- the most elaborate -- 1950's science fiction movie ever made, a work that borrows its narrative shape and its concerns from those earlier films, but enhances them with what looks like the ... Full Review

James Berardinelli
July 11, 2002
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Close Encounters of the Third Kind is unquestionably a great movie. Full Review

Christopher Lloyd
August 22, 2011
Christopher Lloyd, Sarasota Herald-Tribune

A film of visual awe, but it's not much of a human story. Close Encounters is a terrific bit of imagineering, but ultimately is a minor work in the Spielberg filmography. Full Review

Stefan Birgir Stefansson
July 5, 2008
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is

perhaps, my favourite alien movie ever

Emanuel Levy
November 11, 2007
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Though made the same year, Spielberg's awe-inspiring sci-fi fable has held much better than Star Wars due to his sublime crafstmanship, which benefits from sharp imagery and F/X, and engaging story an... Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
September 13, 2007
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It plays out as a film buff's idea of what a UFO sighting would be like if it could be a cross between a Disney theme park and a 1970s light show at a disco. Full Review

February 9, 2006
Time Out

The first film in years to give its audiences a tingle of shocked emotion that is not entirely based either on fear or on suspense. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Super 8
    Super 8 (94%)
  • E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
    E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (73%)
  • Contact
    Contact (77%)
  • Explorers
    Explorers (47%)

More Movies like Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Roy Neary: Who are you people?
    • Roy Neary: I guess you've noticed something a little strange with Dad. It's okay though. I'm still Dad.
Submit a Fact | View All

Close Encounters ... : Watch Free on TV

Close Encounters of the Third Kind Trivia

Close Encounters of the Third Kin... Trivia

  • Richard Dreyfus makes a mountain out of his mashed potatoes?  Answer »
  • Richard Dreyfus is having visions of a mountain in this science fiction movie.  Answer »
  • Name the movie!  Answer »
  • A group of scientific researchers including Lacombe (Truffaut) and Laughlin (Balaban) investigate UFO reports worldwide, and discover a lost squadron of World War II aircraft (see Flight 19) in a Mexican desert  Answer »
More Close Encounters of the Third Kind Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Close Encounters of the Third Kind Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Close Encounters of the Third Kind to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?