Shazam!
High Life
Widows
The Walking Dead
Log in with Facebook
OR
By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies, and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango.
Please enter your email address and we will email you a new password.
We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your account. Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified.
Please reference “Error Code 2121” when contacting customer service.
Though it may be too sentimental for some, Ron Howard's supernatural tale of eternal youth is gentle and heartwarming, touching on poignant issues of age in the process.
All Critics (26) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (6) | DVD (7)
An amiable, life-affirming fantasy-comedy about the rejuvenation of crotchery oldsters whose main distinction is offering roles to senior actors like Don Ameche (who won an Oscar), Hume Cronyn, and Jessica Tandy Aug 6, 2010 | Rating: B- | Full Review…
An amiable, life-affirming fantasy-comedy about the rejuvenation of crotchery oldsters whose main distinction is offering roles to senior actors like Don Ameche (who won an Oscar), Hume Cronyn, and Jessica Tandy
Emanuel Levy
Cocoon weaves a mesmerizing tale. Jun 4, 2007 | Full Review…
Cocoon weaves a mesmerizing tale.
Variety Staff
Director Ron Howard brings a quality of gentleness and whimsy to the performances, but basically this is a highly calculated project brought in by those two old pros, producers Richard Zanuck and David Brown. Jun 4, 2007 | Full Review…
Director Ron Howard brings a quality of gentleness and whimsy to the performances, but basically this is a highly calculated project brought in by those two old pros, producers Richard Zanuck and David Brown.
Dave Kehr
Essentially, this is sci-fi with a heart, albeit one made entirely of cheese. Feb 9, 2006 | Full Review…
Essentially, this is sci-fi with a heart, albeit one made entirely of cheese.
It has no real competition as this season's reigning fairy tale. May 20, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/5
It has no real competition as this season's reigning fairy tale.
Janet Maslin
... much of the beauty of Cocoon... has to do with its deft, loving observation of the things of this Earth. Mar 24, 2013 | Full Review…
... much of the beauty of Cocoon... has to do with its deft, loving observation of the things of this Earth.
Richard T. Jameson
Sex talk, language make iconic '80s sci-fi better for teens. Dec 14, 2010 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Sex talk, language make iconic '80s sci-fi better for teens.
Charles Cassady
A gentle and effective heart-tugger. Jun 4, 2007 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
A gentle and effective heart-tugger.
It's not a very good movie, but, like its director, Ron Howard, it's so benign and apple-cheeked that it seems churlish to complain. Sep 16, 2005 | Full Review…
It's not a very good movie, but, like its director, Ron Howard, it's so benign and apple-cheeked that it seems churlish to complain.
Jeremy C. Fox
Poignant tale: To Age or Not to Age, That is the Question. Mar 30, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Poignant tale: To Age or Not to Age, That is the Question.
James Plath
A funny, tender and touching sci-fi drama, Cocoon is a movie for all generations. Aug 22, 2004 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
A funny, tender and touching sci-fi drama, Cocoon is a movie for all generations.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
A splendid combo of grand peformances and expert direction Jul 11, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
A splendid combo of grand peformances and expert direction
Clint Morris
This 1980s sci-fi comedy doesn't really try to make you think it could be about a deadly alien invasion or serious threats to our old-timer protagonists. It is just trying to have a good time with the idea of a few elderly people feeling young again thanks to the cocoons retrieved from the bottom of the sea and stored in a pool. Of course things get exciting anyway, as the keepers of the cocoons are trying to take them home into space. It is still a feel-good movie through and through. In its best moments it oozes the same kind of movie magic that made the Spielberg films of the era so special. In its less outstanding scenes, the film drags on a little and the special effects just didn't age that well. That doesn't change the fact that it is fun to witness the charming cast's adventure even after all those years.
Super Reviewer
I'm really surprised this isn't as well known as other, similar films like Close Encounters, as this is a cutesy and heart warming story of not only growing up, but growing old. A great cast that carries the piece very well and makes you want to run up and hug them. To top it off, it has an amazing and satisfying end.
Cute.
Magical and underrated, this wonderful sci-fi story still gives me goosebumps. I know many don't love it as much as I do, but there's just something about it that has me captivated every time. One thing is the amazing music score, which some of you may note has been re-employed in the trailers for J.J Abrams' Super 8. Another is the cast, who are all very endearing in the characters they portray. Finally, I'd also like to give credit to the special effects team, who really did the best job possible with the technology available at the time. The ending especially is quite spectacular. Not a film for everyone, but in my book it counts as one of the best "alien visitation" films ever made. A delightful, although bittersweet experience, that has truly stood the test of time.
View All Quotes
View All