Contact

Play trailer

2:12

Contact

PG

1997

2h 30m

Sci-Fi

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

68 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In this Zemeckis-directed adaptation of the Carl Sagan novel, Dr. Ellie Arroway races to interpret a possible message originating from the Vega star system. Once first contact with an extraterrestrial intelligence is proven, Arroway contends with restrictive National Security Advisor Kitz and religious fanatics bent on containing the implications of such an event. An incredible message is found hidden in the signal, but will Arroway be the one to answer its call?

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Contact elucidates stirring scientific concepts and theological inquiry at the expense of satisfying storytelling, making for a brainy blockbuster that engages with its ideas, if not its characters.

Read Critics Reviews

Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

07/18/2018

Despite its lineage and some impressive special effects, Contact is a disappointingly earthbound production, weighed down by the ballast of talking-heads dramaturgy and bloated storytelling.

Go to Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

02/28/2018

If Contact is disappointingly soft in the head, it can also enthrall. Zemeckis is such a potent imagemaker that he is capable, for long stretches at a time, of sweeping you up in his vision.

Go to Full Review

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

02/16/2011

Something like one of those mysterious asteroids that get the astronomers all worked up: a large body of gaseous matter surrounding a relatively small core of solid substance.

Go to Full Review

Matthew Rozsa

Democracy at Work (Substack)

3d

4/4

"Contact" rewards subsequent viewings precisely because it allows viewers to contemplate nuances in both story and philosophy that may have previously eluded them.

Go to Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

06/07/2023

4/4

The ruminative approach and final resolution that there are no certainties in the universe, however honest, left audiences unsatisfied. But the film remains a daring work, among the most cerebral and emotional motion pictures on this subject ever released

Go to Full Review

James Croot

The Post NZ

07/14/2022

4/5

If you’ve ever gazed at the sky in wonder and wondered “what if”, are a fan of the magnificent Foster (and who isn’t), or simply like first-rate storytelling, then seek Contact out.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Calvin T

@Calvin504 4d

Jodie Foster deserved an Oscar nomination 🏆

See more

Gabriel P

Dec 10

Simply one of the most beautiful and moving films I’ve seen in my life. Watched it three times or so over decades, and it still inspires the same deep emotions and magic. Jodie Foster carries the spirit of it all the way. It’s not perfect, but it’s got so much heart and intellect, and is for the seekers.

See more

Damien S

Nov 27

Nearly three decades have passed but the fx still hold up.

See more

Frans B

@FransB Nov 27

Brilliant! Cutting edge technology in cinematography (at the time), visually stunning. One of the most complex shots in cinema ever, the scene where young Eleanor runs up the stairs in their house, amazing. Great story, well written and beautifully brought to screen by Zemeckis. Star studded cast all excels in character. Thought provoking, intrigue filled, lots of emotion, drama, suspense and twists. One of my favorite movies

See more

Daniel L

Nov 19

Quality old school sci-fi movie. Well worth a watch.

See more

Ian R

Oct 30

The high minded idea behind the movie tends to become a bit sanctimonious. I found that Jodie Foster and Mathew McCanaughey were really awkward together. 20 minutes into the movie and she has already succumbed to his charm. The pace of the movie is sodden and the plot heavy handed. Okay if you like stories of odd relationships, but not for traditional science fiction fans. Apologies to Carl Sagan, his idea of the mathematical inevitability of us not being alone in the Universe is the basis of the whole film. It's a shame we don't get to meet any aliens.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Robert Zemeckis

Director

Jodie Foster

Eleanor Ann 'Ellie' Arroway

Matthew McConaughey

Palmer Joss

James Woods

Michael Kitz

John Hurt

S.R. Hadden

Tom Skerritt

David Drumlin

Star Trek Generations

48%

57%

Star Trek Generations

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Star Trek Generations

Mission to Mars

23%

30%

Mission to Mars

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Mission to Mars

The Omega Man

65%

53%

The Omega Man

Watchlist

Bicentennial Man

38%

59%

Bicentennial Man

Watchlist

Suburban Commando

15%

33%

Suburban Commando

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Kim Newman on… The Terrornauts

"Order of the Phoenix" Screenwriter Sits Down for a Chat

Potter 5 Claims a Release Date

Contact: Trailer 1

2:12

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

In this Zemeckis-directed adaptation of the Carl Sagan novel, Dr. Ellie Arroway races to interpret a possible message originating from the Vega star system. Once first contact with an extraterrestrial intelligence is proven, Arroway contends with restrictive National Security Advisor Kitz and religious fanatics bent on containing the implications of such an event. An incredible message is found hidden in the signal, but will Arroway be the one to answer its call?

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Producer: Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis
Screenwriter: Carl Sagan, James V. Hart, Michael Goldenberg
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Rating: PG
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 11, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $100.9M
Runtime: 2h 30m
Sound Mix: SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now