Close Encounters of the Third Kind | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

90% Tomatometer 113 Reviews 85% Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less Coming Soon In Theaters Sun Jul 7 Reserve Tickets

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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Cast & Crew

Steven Spielberg Director Richard Dreyfuss Roy Neary François Truffaut Claude Lacombe Teri Garr Ronnie Neary Melinda Dillon Jillian Guiler Cary Guffey Barry Guiler
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Critics Reviews

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Close Encounters of the Third Kind | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Bruce McCabe Boston Globe 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. Apr 3, 2024 Full Review Close Encounters of the Third Kind | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune ["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. Rated: 3.5/4 Apr 3, 2024 Full Review Close Encounters of the Third Kind | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Andrew Sarris Village Voice Simply a thoughtless exercise in instant self-gratification. Actually, I felt sorry for this muddled movie with its childlike vulnerability. Apr 3, 2024 Full Review Close Encounters of the Third Kind | Rotten Tomatoes (4) David Dugas United Press International If it doesn't quite match "2001" for cerebral elegance, it nevertheless is far grander than Spielberg's previous movie, Jaws, and vastly more absorbing than Star Wars. Apr 3, 2024 Full Review Close Encounters of the Third Kind | Rotten Tomatoes (5) John Huddy Miami Herald The Steven Spielberg movie, instinctively or otherwise, is well timed. It is definitely a movie of the 1970s, for a people disgusted, bewildered -- and lost. Apr 3, 2024 Full Review Close Encounters of the Third Kind | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Dorothy Smiljanich Tampa Bay Times Perhaps in this skeptical time, it is enough to know -- enough to wonder -- that a director and creator can still make a movie as awesome and visually satisfying as this one. Rated: 5/5 Apr 3, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Pointless movie. No drama and no real suspense. Just a really slow build up, to what would be now, a disappointing ending Rated 1/5 Stars • Rated 1 out of 5 stars 06/08/24 Full Review Sachin E Apart from the amazing cinematography and visual effects, there isn't much in the film. Storyline is mid, characters and dialogues are not well written and the several cringe moments make it less appealing. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/13/24 Full Review Trending Right Now 2 Fantastic movie with a great cast and doesn't age, I think Steven Spielberg knows something as The movie very much could be of today. It is a must for any sci-fi buff Or even just family viewing.For 1978 Special effects are absolutely fantastic and movies of today, don't come anywhere close. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/29/24 Full Review Raphaël While it might seem a bit outdated nowadays, this movie is an absolute sci-fi masterpiece. It is a movie about mundane humans making an almost mystical experience. Over the course of the movie, we go from expectation to amazement while witnessing unwilling witness of UFO encounters. All of this makes the movie believable, pulling the audience through a plot that reaches a sublime climax without ever going over the top. The theater version is awesome and the director's cut is even better.It's among my top 10 sci-fi movies. A must see Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/06/24 Full Review Brianna B Meh, just not a movie for me Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/24 Full Review Harrison D This Movie... ROCKS!!! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/01/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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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 Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 40th Anniversary Trailer Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 40th Anniversary Trailer 2:24 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

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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, EMI Films, Julia Phillips and Michael Phillips Productions

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)
Most Popular at Home Now
Close Encounters of the Third Kind | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

FAQs

How many versions of Close Encounters of the Third Kind are there? ›

Reissues and home media
Release dateVersion DescriptionRuntime
1977-11-16Original Theatrical Version135 minutes
1980-08-03Special Edition132 minutes
1998-05-12Collector's Edition/Director's Cut137 minutes

What streaming service is Close Encounters of the Third Kind on? ›

How to Watch Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Right now you can watch Close Encounters of the Third Kind on Amazon Prime Video or Amazon Prime Video with Ads.

What is the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind about? ›

Where was Close Encounters of the Third Kind filmed? ›

The opening sandstorm, and the ship stranded in the 'Sahara Desert' seen in the Special Edition, were filmed in California's Mojave Desert. Also in the California desert is the air traffic control center, which is in Palmdale.

Who was the little boy in Close Encounters of the Third Kind? ›

Cary Guffey is an American former child actor and financial planner. He is best known for his debut in the role of Barry Guiler in the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977).

What synth was used in Close Encounters of the Third Kind? ›

A look at the 2500 wouldn't be complete without its famous film appearance in Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. ARP's Phil Dodds plays the keyboardist – he's seen stepping back at 3:25 to give the 2500 itself its brief moment of onscreen fame.

Who did the musical score for Close Encounters of the Third Kind? ›

Composer John Williams won two Grammy awards in 1979 for his soundtrack to Steven Spielberg's big-budget sci-fi spectacular Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Who was the actress in Close Encounters of the Third Kind? ›

Melinda Dillon(1939-2023)

Melinda Dillon came to prominence with the role of Jillian Guiler, a mother whose child is abducted by aliens in Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). Dillon's performance in the film earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Is third watch on Amazon Prime? ›

Watch Third Watch: The Complete Third Season | Prime Video.

Is there a sequel to Close Encounters of the Third Kind? ›

Cover the top of... After the success of Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Steven Spielberg was eager to start work on Night Skies, a sequel to his alien masterpiece that would turn into a horror story of a family terrorized by a group of aliens, in a sort of Straw Dogs meets E.T storyline.

What town was ET filmed in? ›

E.T. was filmed in Crescent City, Los Angeles, Porter Ranch, and Fort Dick, California. Elliot's house was located at 7121 Lonzo Street, Tujunga, Los Angeles, California. Redwood National Park. Photo by Michael Bryant on Unsplash.

Who played tuba in Close Encounters of the Third Kind? ›

Accomplished tuba player and former music faculty member Jim Self—who performed the famous voice of the mother ship in Close Encounters of the Third Kind—is returning to UT for a residency February 19–23.

What is the name of the mountain in Close Encounters of the Third Kind? ›

Close Encounters of the Third Kind made Devils Tower a pop culture phenomenon, and for good reason, as it's one of the most mysterious national parks. Rising 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River, Devils Tower has long been a beacon, attracting people and capturing their imaginations since prehistoric times.

Why was Devils Tower used in close encounters? ›

The 1977 movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind used the formation as a plot element and as the location of its climactic scenes.The film's popularity resulted in a large increase in visitors and climbers to the monument.

What movie had The Devils Tower in it? ›

The movie is “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” Steven Spielberg's 1977 sci-fi classic filmed here, on the land where the Devils Tower KOA campground now stands.

Is there a follow-up to Close Encounters of the Third Kind? ›

Origins. Steven Spielberg came up with the idea for Night Skies in the late 1970s when Columbia Pictures wanted a sequel to Close Encounters of the Third Kind. He had no interest in a sequel, but also did not want Columbia to make a sequel without him, as Universal Pictures had done with Jaws.

What movie was filmed at Devil's Tower? ›

The movie is “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” Steven Spielberg's 1977 sci-fi classic filmed here, on the land where the Devils Tower KOA campground now stands.

Who wrote the music for Close Encounters? ›

Who did the score for Close Encounters of the Third Kind? ›

Composer John Williams won two Grammy awards in 1979 for his soundtrack to Steven Spielberg's big-budget sci-fi spectacular Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

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