Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a humanistic postmodern masterpiece.
Comment
01/01/00
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
95
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:39
Fresh:37
Rotten:2
Average Rating:8.7/10
Consensus: Close Encounters' most iconic bits (the theme, the mashed-potato sculpture, etc.) have been so thoroughly absorbed into the culture that it's easy to forget that its treatment of aliens as peaceful beings rather than warmongering monsters was somewhat groundbreaking in 1977.
Runtime: 6 hrs 44 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Synopsis: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND is Steven Spielberg's extraordinary film about a man named Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) who becomes obsessed with meeting extraterrestrials after encountering a... [More]
Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, François Truffaut
Director: Steven Spielberg
Get This Movie
Reviews for Close Encounters of the Third Kind
The first film in years to give its audiences a tingle of shocked emotion that is not entirely based either on fear or on suspense.
02/09/06
A daring film concept which in its special and technical effects has been superbly realized.
06/05/07
Saturated with imagery that fascinates, terrifies, and utterly consumes the viewer with the desire to discover the secret that's eating away at the on-screen characters.
06/27/01
The film...lacks blockbuster detachment.
05/21/01
By the end, we’re swept away by the wonder of discovery; it's enough to thrill even a sci-fi sceptic.
07/25/01
No review available.
12/05/03
It plays out as a film buff's idea of what a UFO sighting would be like if it could be a cross between a Disney theme park and a 1970s light show at a disco.
09/13/07
[A] great movie, and one of the rare uplifting experiences in modern cinema.
01/01/00
Though made the same year, Spielberg's awe-inspiring sci-fi fable has held much better than Star Wars due to his sublime crafstmanship, which benefits from sharp imagery and F/X, and engaging story and charcaters, well-acted by Richard Dreyfuss and others
11/11/07
Masterwork thriller about UFOs.
09/01/02
No review available.
07/29/04
Close Encounters of the Third Kind is unquestionably a great movie.
07/11/02
Top CriticSpielberg is nothing if not adept at punching our buttons and making us puppets in his hands.
05/30/01
Not even Spielberg makes them as they used to.
12/05/03
Definitive cut of director Steven Spielberg's masterpiece isn't just great science fiction: It's great art.
11/07/02
No review available.
04/04/03
...a masterful motion picture all around...where the interactions of its characters are equally important as the wizardry of the special effects.
05/18/01
This is dopey Hollywood mysticism all right, but thanks to considerable craft and showmanship, it packs an undeniable punch.
06/05/07
Top CriticNo review available.
10/28/03
Latest News for Close Encounters of the Third Kind
January 03, 2008:
New Indy 4 Interviews, Pictures Online!
May 22 still feels awfully far away, but if the nearly six-month gap between your eyeballs and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull has you feeling forlorn, fear... More...
December 13, 2007:
Jurassic Park T-Rex, Life-Sized Terminator, More Up For Auction
This Christmas, we're asking Santa for Sam Jackson's Star Wars: Episode III lightsaber, Neo's Matrix Reloaded coat, and a full scale T-800 Terminator 2 endoskeleton for that... More...
June 28, 2005:
Critical Consensus: Aliens Invade, Critics Cheer
Steven Spielberg has made a couple movies -- Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. -- about benevolent aliens who come in peace and gently help us to reflect on our place... More...
RT On Current TV
What’s Hot On RT
Fresh Links
Featured
Wes Anderson on Fox 
The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox
The New Cult Canon
AV Club looks at a beloved cult classic, Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness.
New Moon Portraits
TIME offers us a closer look at the characters from the latest Twilight film.
Unsexiest Men Alive
Moviefone lists their choices for the least attractive men in Hollywood.
Promos
Follow RT on Twitter
Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!
IGN RSS Feeds