Close Encounters of the Third Kind

1977, Sci-fi, 2h 15m

66 Reviews 100,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Close Encounters of the Third Kind is deeply humane sci-fi exploring male obsession, cosmic mysticism, and music. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

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.
  • Rating:
    PG
  • Genre:
    Sci-fi
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Steven Spielberg
  • Producer:
    Julia Phillips
  • Writer:
    Steven Spielberg
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $3.1M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Columbia Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby Stereo, Surround
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Richard Dreyfuss
Roy Neary
François Truffaut
Claude Lacombe
Teri Garr
Ronnie Neary
Melinda Dillon
Jillian Guiler
Cary Guffey
Barry Guiler
Bob Balaban
David Laughlin
J. Patrick McNamara
Project Leader
Warren J. Kemmerling
Wild Bill
Roberts Blossom
Farmer
Philip Dodds
Jean Claude
Shawn Bishop
Brad Neary
Adrienne Campbell
Sylvia Neary
Justin Dreyfuss
Toby Neary
Lance Henriksen
Robert
Merrill Connally
Team Leader
Steven Spielberg
Director
Steven Spielberg
Writer
Clark L. Paylow
Associate Producer
Julia Phillips
Producer
John Williams
Original Music
William A. Fraker
Cinematographer
Douglas Slocombe
Cinematographer
Vilmos Zsigmond
Cinematographer
Michael Kahn
Film Editing
Shari Rhodes
Casting
Juliet Taylor
Casting
Joe Alves
Production Design
Daniel A. Lomino
Art Director
Phil Abramson
Set Decoration
Edie Panda
Hair Stylist
Bob Westmoreland
Makeup Supervisor
Clark L. Paylow
Unit Production Manager
Jim Bloom
Second Assistant Director
Charles Myers
Assistant Director
Sam Gordon
Property Master
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Critic Reviews for Close Encounters of the Third Kind

All Critics (66) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (62) | Rotten (4)
Full Review… Adam Kempenaar Filmspotting Full Review… Charles Champlin Los Angeles Times Full Review… Arthur Knight Hollywood Reporter Full Review… Peter Bradshaw Guardian Full Review… David Jenkins Little White Lies Full Review… Tom Huddleston Time Out Full Review… John Baxter Starburst Full Review… Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Full Review… Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Full Review… Kelechi Ehenulo Set the Tape Full Review… Donald McLean Bay Area Reporter
View All Critic Reviews (66)

Audience Reviews for Close Encounters of the Third Kind

  • Feb 04, 2016
    This sci-fi classic has aged well, the graphics still look great by today's standards. But the story was slow and the characters unmemorable.
    Letitia L Super Reviewer
  • Feb 18, 2013
    Spielberg's best Science Fiction film, ("E.T." would be his best family film) "Close Encounters" trumps all the notions of a typical extra-terrestrial flick for memorable iconography and truly dazzling music/SFX.
    Joshua H Super Reviewer
  • Aug 26, 2012
    The way Spielberg portrays these "close encounters" is realistic for its subtlety and the scenes with the UFO's make you more and more curious. It's not like modern in-your-face and flashy kind of action alien movie like Cowboys and Aliens, but more like how Jaws portrayed the sharks: with care and only shows the UFO's when worthy of being shown. Richard Dreyfuss' obsession with drawing and sculpting this mountain that he keeps having visions of is undoubtedly interesting, and it all leads up to an incredible final act. It may not be Spielberg's best, but it's certainly worth seeing.
    Kevin M Super Reviewer
  • Jul 22, 2012
    Though I understand how groundbreaking this film was for it's time, viewing it now had always been a little dull to me. The conclusion though is a breathtaking piece of filmmaking.
    Graham J Super Reviewer
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