The Most Important Space Movie in the U.S. History Leaves Netflix in April

There are many versions of what makes space exploration so alluring to the casual observer. The most realistic suggests that we, as a species, are always drawn to what we cannot have...yet. Given the pace of technological progress, some of us may be lucky enough to see all the wonders of science fiction come to life one day.

Until that happens, there are plenty of movies that can satisfy the desire to explore other galaxies. But one will always stand out from the rest as a technically accurate retelling of a real-life astronaut mission.

Is Apollo 13 Based on Real Events?

Apollo 13 was the seventh manned flight of the Apollo program and the third planned lunar landing. The spacecraft was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on April 11, 1970. The lunar landing was aborted two days into the mission when an oxygen tank in the service module ruptured, shutting down the spacecraft's electrical and life support systems.

The 1995 docudrama Apollo 13, directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Ed Harris, and Gary Sinise, follows the events of that mission. Praised for its accuracy down to the smallest detail, brilliant acting, and overall historical importance to the United States, the film is considered one of the best space movies ever made.

With a 96% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, Apollo 13 is not just another good sci-fi movie. It is a dramatized version of the troubled space mission that actually happened in the past and changed the approach to space exploration forever. Knowing how many lives were on the line makes it even more impactful for viewers.

To further prove the importance of this film and to preserve it forever as an outstanding part of American cinematography, in 2023 the film was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Where to Watch Apollo 13?

Right now, Apollo 13 is available to stream on Netflix. However, the intergalactic journey will end for all Netflix subscribers at the end of this month.

On April 30th, the movie will leave the platform to make room for more films and TV shows due to the streamer’s content rotation scheme.

So, if you are an avid fan of Tom Hanks or any sci-fi drama that has to do with space, make sure you enjoy the movie while it lasts. Stream Apollo 13 on Netflix, or buy a copy for permanent use to never lose access to the movie again on Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video.