9 Space Movies That Missed the Mark
Explore the space movies that fell short of their potential, failing to capture the essence of the cosmos and leaving audiences wanting more.
Passengers (2016)
A tepid romance set in the vastness of space, Passengers borrows heavily from sci-fi classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Shining. However, its potential as a horror movie is left unexplored, and the derivative romance fails to captivate.
Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt in Passengers
Jupiter Ascending (2015)
Jupiter Ascending's grand scale and the concept of a chosen one monitoring Earth hold promise, but the chaotic execution and lack of emotional depth leave it adrift in space.
A spaceship passing by Jupiter in Jupiter Ascending.
Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood (2022)
Richard Linklater's Apollo 10 1/2, while charming, misses the mark with an unbalanced blend of rotoscope animation and dream sequences. The movie's focus on 1960s American suburbia overshadows its potential as a sci-fi adventure.
Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood
Gravity (2013)
A visually stunning thriller, Gravity struggles with scientific plausibility and a repetitive plot, despite its breathtaking portrayal of an astronaut's emotional turmoil in the vastness of space.
Sandra Bullock and George Clooney working on a space station in Gravity
Ad Astra (2019)
Visually striking but lacking nuance, Ad Astra's plot fails to match the isolating majesty of space. With clear allusions to Heart of Darkness, the movie falls short of its deep philosophical aspirations.
Brad Pitt in Ad Astra
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy (2005)
An underwhelming adaptation of a beloved novel, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy struggles to capture the absurdity and humor of the original work. Its attempt to condense the narrative into a palatable runtime sacrifices the essence of the universe's nonsense.
Arthur Dent holding a robot hand in The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy
Mission To Mars (2000)
Brian De Palma's Mission to Mars starts strong but falters with generic dialogue and hollow characters, overshadowing the awe-inspiring premise of the first manned mission to the Red Planet.
Brian-De-Palma-Mission-to-Mars
Prospect (2018)
Stepping away from sci-fi conventions, Prospect's lush setting and old-fashioned narrative fall short due to underdeveloped characters. The movie's visual design outshines its plot, leaving the audience yearning for deeper emotional impact.
Prospect (2018)
Apollo 18 (2011)
A found-footage horror movie with untapped potential, Apollo 18 struggles to stand out in the genre. While the alternative history premise is intriguing, the movie lacks the immersive realism of the best found-footage horror films.
Rock monsters attack in Apollo 18
