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Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn, Brian Dennehy, Jack Gilford ... see more see more... , Steve Guttenberg , Maureen Stapleton , Jessica Tandy , Gwen Verdon , Herta Ware , Tahnee Welch , Barret Oliver , Linda Harrison , Tyrone Power Jr. , Clint Howard , Charles Lampkin , Mike Nomad , Rance Howard , Wendy J. Cooke , Jorge Gil , Jean Speegle Howard , James Ritz , Andy Mark Simpson , Russ Wheeler , Clarence Thomas , Harold Bergman , Fred Broderson , Mark Cheresnick , Irving Krone , Pamela Prescott , Charles Rainsbury , Dinah Sue Rowley , Ted Science , Bette Shoor , Gabriella Sinclair , Robert Slacum Jr. , Cindi Vicino , Charles Voelker , Ivy Thayer

Cocoon is a warm-hearted science-fiction fable that avoids becoming overly corny thanks to the performances of its mostly senior cast. Wilford Brimley, Don Ameche, and Hume Cronyn are three old-timers... read more read more... who sneak out of their retirement home a few days a week to swim in the large pool on an abandoned estate next door. When the threesome begins to feel curiously younger, they discover strange pods on the floor of the pool. These pods are alien cocoons, which are being pulled from the ocean by a team of extra-terrestrials in human form led by Walter (Brian Dennehy), who has hired a local charter operator (Steve Guttenberg) to assist him. Walter explains to the seniors that energy from the cocoons is restoring youth and vigor to the older men every time they go for a dip. The aliens agree to let the men continue to swim in secret, but of course they can't keep their discovery to themselves. Soon the pool is swarming with retirees, with the notable exception of Bernie (Jack Gilford), who has no interest in prolonging life any longer than necessary. The aliens ultimately prepare to return home and offer the retirees eternal life if they leave Earth behind as well. Director Ron Howard treats his old-timers with care and dignity, and they respond with deeply sympathetic performances (Ameche won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar); the film's science-fiction trappings ably sustain the story's all-too-human ruminations on youth, aging, life, and death. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

Flixster Users

55% liked it

62,083 ratings

Critics

79% liked it

24 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 57 min.

Directed by: Ron Howard

Release Date: June 21, 1985

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DVD Release Date: June 1, 2004

Stats: 1,399 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,399)

  • ironclad1609
    January 25, 2012
    ironclad1609
    This 1980s sci-fi comedy doesn't really try to make you think it could be about a deadly alien invasion or serious threats to our old-timer protagonists. It is just trying to have a good time with the idea of a few elderly people feeling young again thanks to the cocoons retrieve... read mored from the bottom of the sea and stored in a pool. Of course things get exciting anyway, as the keepers of the cocoons are trying to take them home into space. It is still a feel-good movie through and through. In its best moments it oozes the same kind of movie magic that made the Spielberg films of the era so special. In its less outstanding scenes, the film drags on a little and some parts just didn't age that well. That doesn't change the fact that it is fun to witness the charming cast's adventure even after all those years.
  • CloudStrife84
    June 12, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    Magical and underrated, this wonderful sci-fi story still gives me goosebumps. I know many don't love it as much as I do, but there's just something about it that has me captivated every time. One thing is the amazing music score, which some of you may note has been re-employed i... read moren the trailers for J.J Abrams' Super 8. Another is the cast, who are all very endearing in the characters they portray. Finally, I'd also like to give credit to the special effects team, who really did the best job possible with the technology available at the time. The ending especially is quite spectacular. Not a film for everyone, but in my book it counts as one of the best "alien visitation" films ever made. A delightful, although bittersweet experience, that has truly stood the test of time.
  • ajv2688
    January 20, 2011
    ajv2688
    Wait, a second...old people want to go to outer space why? I didn't get this movie at all.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    August 6, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Ron Howard's worst film. This is suposed to be a great sci fi adventure, it's a sappy film thats over sentimental and tries too hard to be a good sci fi film. I thought it was boring, annoying, poorly written and poorly acted. The film is very boring, cheesy and over sentimental... read more. This is a stupid film with definitely nothing going for it. Overrated garbage with very bad acting, and poor directing and scriptwriting. I couldn't believe that I wasted my time watching such a shitty film. Oh well the only thing I can do is warn potential viewers about this film, it's bad. Very overrated and boring, don't get sapped in by the good reviews. Save your 5$ rental money on something better. Luckily Howard redeemed himself with Backdraft and Appolo 13
  • movieguru12
    December 26, 2009
    movieguru12
    Great sci-fi thriller, just absolutely loved it and wouldn't It be great if people could live forever? I just love it! :)
  • stormyweather980
    August 15, 2009
    stormyweather980
    I remember going to Movie Gallery with my mom and seeing Cocoon on the shelves a few years ago. I asked her if it was good and she said no. There's a lot of movies that I really like that she hates. I read about it and I wanted to see it. When I did, I wondered why she didn't lik... read moree it. It was about an alien family that kept mysterious eggs in a swimming pool while they stayed here on earth. Some old people found out after swimming in the pool while the eggs were in it, that it made them feel young again. All the actors did a great job acting young as did the wives who liked it at first but later got tired of their husbands wanting to go everywhere and do everything.
    Some of the lines from the film were hilarious and it even had some suspense in parts. It kept me interested because I wanted to see if the old guys got caught in the pool after promising the aliens they wouldn't get anywhere near them and to see how the movie ended. The ending sequence had some great special effects; especially for a film that came out in the mid 80's.

    If you like comedy movies with a touch of sci-fi or if you like laughing at all, I definitely recommend getting this movie. In my opinion, it's a classic. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. This is indeed an excellent movie, and one future generations should always be exposed to - unforgettable.
  • RossCollinsUK
    April 10, 2009
    RossCollinsUK
    Old Floridians find a fountain of eternal youth created by aliens in an 80s family sci-fi classic.
  • 76Majikat
    June 25, 2008
    76Majikat
    Not what I was expecting at all, a bit of a feel good sort of film, with some funny parts, likeable and easy watching.
  • thmtsang
    June 1, 2008
    thmtsang
    A group of seniors from a rest home get a new lease of life after swimming and meeting aliens. Good cast.
  • sanjurosamurai
    November 23, 2007
    sanjurosamurai
    classic, old people wanting to be young people wanting to be aliens, or something like that

View All Cocoon Reviews

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
August 6, 2010
Emanuel Levy, Variety

An amiable, life-affirming fantasy-comedy about the rejuvenation of crotchery oldsters whose main distinction is offering roles to senior actors like Don Ameche (who won an Oscar), Hume Cronyn, and Je... Full Review

June 4, 2007
Variety

Cocoon weaves a mesmerizing tale. Full Review

Dave Kehr
June 4, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Director Ron Howard brings a quality of gentleness and whimsy to the performances, but basically this is a highly calculated project brought in by those two old pros, producers Richard Zanuck and Davi... Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

It has no real competition as this season's reigning fairy tale. Full Review

Charles Cassady
December 14, 2010
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media

Sex talk, language make iconic '80s sci-fi better for teens. Full Review

June 4, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A gentle and effective heart-tugger. Full Review

February 9, 2006
Time Out

Essentially, this is sci-fi with a heart, albeit one made entirely of cheese. Full Review

James Plath
March 30, 2005
James Plath, Reel.com

Poignant tale: To Age or Not to Age, That is the Question.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
August 22, 2004
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

A funny, tender and touching sci-fi drama, Cocoon is a movie for all generations. Full Review

Clint Morris
July 11, 2003
Clint Morris, Moviehole

A splendid combo of grand peformances and expert direction

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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    • Ben Luckett: [stepping into the freezing cold pool] Whoa, that'll make your ol' ball sack shrivel up.
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Cocoon Trivia

  • Who starred in Cocoon: The Return, Ace Venture: Pet Detective, and Scream?  Answer »
  • Who directed the movie "Cocoon"?  Answer »
  • Name the 1985 movie directed by Ron Howard & starred Don Ameche, Wiford Brimley& Hume Cronyn,with the story line:A group of Flordia retirees become mysteriously rejuvented when their retirement home swimming pool turns into a fountain of youth?  Answer »
  • In the movie Gremlins, what happened after the Gremlins ate a snack after midnight?   Answer »
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