Astronauts Pick Their Favorite Space Movies Before Moon Return

As humanity prepares to return to the moon for the first time in over 50 years, the astronauts who've actually lived in space are celebrating with a movie night recommendation list.

Eleven former astronauts revealed their favorite space films to CNN, and their picks say as much about real space travel as they do about great cinema. With NASA's Artemis II mission set to launch as early as February 2026, these space veterans know exactly what it takes to leave Earth behind.

"The Martian" topped many lists for its portrayal of survival and teamwork. Clayton C. Anderson, who spent five months aboard the International Space Station, loved how the film showed NASA's workforce making huge personal sacrifices to save Matt Damon's stranded astronaut character.

Dr. Kate Rubins, who became the first person to sequence DNA in space, praised the movie's scientific accuracy. The scenes showing an astronaut growing his own food on Mars felt authentic because resourcefulness isn't just good drama, it's how you survive when Earth is millions of miles away.

"Apollo 13" earned widespread praise for capturing the true story of NASA's most dramatic rescue mission. Four retired astronauts called out its realism and emotional power, with some noting director Ron Howard used actual dialogue between the damaged spacecraft and Mission Control.

Nicole Stott, who logged over 100 days on the ISS, said the film embodied a crucial NASA mindset: "Here's how we can, not why we can't." Michael Massimino, who performed spacewalks to repair the Hubble Space Telescope, appreciated how the movie honored the dedicated people in Mission Control who make space missions possible.

Even Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, a retired astronaut and educator, admitted the film still makes her hold her breath every viewing, despite knowing the happy ending. Chris Hadfield, who commanded the ISS in 2013, called it an intense dramatization of spaceflight's life-or-death stakes.

Why This Inspires

These astronauts aren't just movie critics sharing popcorn preferences. They're confirming that Hollywood can capture real truths about space exploration: the innovation required when things go wrong, the teamwork that makes impossible missions succeed, and the courage it takes to venture into the unknown.

Their endorsements matter because they lived these realities, and they're telling us these films got it right. As NASA prepares to write new chapters in human spaceflight, these movies remind us why we reach for the stars in the first place.

The Artemis II crew will carry forward the same spirit of ingenuity and collaboration these films celebrate when they launch toward the moon next year.