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Moontrap

Moontrap

14,000 Years It Has Waited For Us

198892 minRMidcredits score: 11th percentile of all films
Director
Robert Dyke
Starring
Walter Koenig, Bruce Campbell, Robert Kurcz, Leigh Lombardi

The Space Shuttle returns to earth, but some of the equipment brought back on it begins to behave strangely. Scientists are unsure what is happening, and decide to take all necessary precautions.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Moontrap?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list Moontrap on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Moontrap?

Moontrap earns 1 badge: Overhyped.

Reception

Is Moontrap worth watching?

Moontrap's Midcredits score is the 11th percentile of all films, from 7.2K ratings across 4 sources. 22% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

11th percentile

Better received than 11% of films

44th percentile among Horror11th percentile among 1980s
Acclaim (how much people like it)15th
Approval (how many liked it)11th

49 /100

15th percentile of all films

51st percentile among Horror13th percentile among 1980s

Rating distribution

The crowd leans negative, with most ratings sitting in the bottom half of the scale.

Approval

How many liked it

22% liked it

11th percentile of all films

43rd percentile among Horror12th percentile among 1980s
22% rated it 7–1078% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

78th percentile

7.2K ratings across platforms

77th percentile among Horror75th percentile among 1980s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 12% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree it's a low-budget B-movie with ambition but limited resources.

Fans praised

  • engaging buddy chemistry between Koenig and Campbell
  • ambitious low-budget practical effects and model work
  • mysterious atmosphere and intriguing sci-fi premise

Detractors panned

  • stiff, flat dialogue and weak script
  • laughable special effects and cheap production values
  • boring pacing and confusing plot logic

What stands out

AtmosphereDivisive50

grim, mysterious tone on the moon but undercut by cheap production

ActingDivisive45

Koenig and Campbell have fun chemistry but performances are uneven and often stiff

Effects and spectacleDivisive45

ambitious practical models and robot designs undermined by low budget

OriginalityDivisive40

mixes Alien, Terminator, and Lifeforce tropes with a few unique robot concepts

Plot and storyDivisive35

derivative premise full of plot holes and illogical leaps

Pacing30

slow and uneven, with dull stretches and rushed transitions

Characters30

thinly written, with underdeveloped alien woman and wasted supporting roles

Dialogue20

hackneyed, awkward lines with little wit or naturalism

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users even
  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Watch experience

What is Moontrap like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Scary: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want to be scared.

It has a few laughs and leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Scary.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseWarm
Heaviest: late
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Adventurous · 11% of filmsSolemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Wry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film is earnest despite its limited budget, mixing a serious alien-threat plot with Bruce Campbell's wry comic relief.
The rideThe film builds suspense around the robot threat on the Moon, with lighter moments on Earth and an escalating final battle.
StructureThe story follows a conventional chronology: discovery on the moon, robot attacks on Earth, return to the moon, and final confrontation.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunUnsettling
Why it leaves you this wayThe film is an entertaining B-movie with a grim undertone that lingers due to the final hint that the threat continues.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% (this title) · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Technology turns: Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).

21% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeTwo astronauts discover alien robots that use human spare parts and must return to the moon to stop an invasion of Earth.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1% (this title)

Survival

SurvivalTechnology · 1% of films
Warns its theme: Presents its theme as a danger or a coming cost.Global stakes: Consequences reach the world.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film focuses on surviving a robot threat that recycles human bodies, while also warning about technology turning against its creators.
StanceThe film warns that advanced technology can turn against humanity and use humans as spare parts for self-replication.

The world

ContemporaryOuter spaceInstitutionalScience fiction
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Joseph LoDuca
SettingNASA astronauts discover alien robots on the Moon in 1988
MusicJoseph LoDuca's score is well-regarded for a low-budget film, later known for his work on Xena and Hercules.

Content guide

Is Moontrap okay for kids?

R

Moontrap is rated R. As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (46/100), sexual content at moderate (44/100), language at moderate (42/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (0/100) and frightening material at mild (33/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • UKPG
  • Germany12
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 43%
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (38 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Moontrap have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Moontrap?

Cast

Walter Koenig
as Col. Jason Grant
Bruce Campbell
as Ray Tanner
Robert Kurcz
as Koreman
Leigh Lombardi
as Mera
Judy Levitt
as Intrepid Commander
Reavis Graham
as Haskell
John J. Saunders
as Barnes
Tom Case
as Beck
Reuben Yabuku
as Intrepid Pilot
Doug Childs
as Grant's Son

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Moontrap?

Movies like Moontrap include Red Planet (2000), Saturn 3 (1980) and Apollo 18 (2011). Of the 12 closest matches, most are stories of technology turning on people, and several are films set in academia.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

6 of these 12 share its world: outer space. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Moontrap?

199 other films share the rarest tag below, follows: astronaut. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.