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SpaceCamp

SpaceCamp

The stars belong to a new generation.

1986107 minPGMidcredits score: 36th percentile of all films
Director
Harry Winer
Starring
Kate Capshaw, Lea Thompson, Kelly Preston, Larry B. Scott

Andie Bergstrom, an astronaut eagerly awaiting her first trip to space, runs a summer camp for teenagers with her NASA-employed husband, Zach. One night during an engine test, Andie and four teenage campers are accidentally shot into space. Together, the group -- which includes Kathryn, a pilot-in-training, and Tish, a ditz with a perfect memory -- must work together to operate the spacecraft and return home.

Where to watch

Where can I watch SpaceCamp?

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

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about SpaceCamp?

SpaceCamp earns 8 badges, led by Guilty pleasure and Summer blockbuster.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is SpaceCamp worth watching?

SpaceCamp's Midcredits score is the 36th percentile of all films, from 24K ratings across 6 sources. 36% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

36th percentile

Better received than 36% of films

43rd percentile among Adventure38th percentile among 1980s
Acclaim (how much people like it)41st
Approval (how many liked it)32nd

59 /100

41st percentile of all films

46th percentile among Adventure42nd percentile among 1980s

Critics 40 · Audience 60

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.0 — solid but not unanimous.

36% liked it

32nd percentile of all films

39th percentile among Adventure34th percentile among 1980s
36% rated it 7–1064% rated it 1–6

Critics 53% · Audience 50%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 1 noms overall

83rd percentile

24K ratings across platforms

76th percentile among Adventure81st percentile among 1980s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 16% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$18M
Opening weekend$2.9M
Domestic gross$9.7M
Worldwide gross$9.7M

Returned 0.5× its budget — 62nd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A nostalgic, family-friendly space fantasy with dated but earnest charm.

Fans praised

  • Optimistic 80s feel-good adventure with a heartfelt message
  • Strong ensemble cast, especially young Joaquin Phoenix and Lea Thompson
  • Thrilling zero-gravity sequences and impressive practical effects

Detractors panned

  • Implausible premise and gaping plot holes
  • Annoying characters, especially the robot Jinx and whiny Max
  • Dull first half and uneven pacing

What stands out

Sound and musicDivisive75

Rousing John Williams score elevates the film

ActingDivisive65

Competent cast with future stars, some wooden performances

CinematographyDivisive65

Polished look and effective zero-G illusion

Effects and spectacleDivisive60

Decent miniatures and practical effects for the era

TensionDivisive55

Some thrilling moments in the second half

CharactersDivisive35

Stereotypical, unlikable, and poorly developed

Plot and storyDivisive30

Ridiculous and full of logical holes

OriginalityDivisive30

Derivative mix of 80s tropes

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 18 points higher than men.

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 10 points higher than non-US viewers.

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

  • Critics vs users 8 points apart

Watch experience

What is SpaceCamp like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Fun ride: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want a fun ride.

It has a few laughs and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

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

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Fun ride.

The answer rests on this: Moods
ThrillingWarm
Heaviest: middle
Warm humor
Register
WarmAdventurous · 11% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its material straight and sincerely, treating the kids' adventure with earnest warmth and occasionally sentimental uplift.
The rideThe mood shifts from lighthearted camp hijinks to tense survival problem-solving once they launch, with occasional heartwarming moments.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically, moving from the kids' arrival at camp through training to the accidental launch and rescue effort.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe viewer is left with a warm, uplifted feeling of achievement and the belief that hard work and teamwork can overcome any challenge.
How it ends · evidence
Happy 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).Voyage
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · 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% (this title): Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% (this title) · 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%

Voyage and return: Into a strange world and back again, changed. · Survival ordeal: Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).

4% of films fit this archetype

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

Why this archetypeThe kids are accidentally launched into space against their will, and the story follows their struggle to survive and return to Earth safely.

What it's about

Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe film centres on a group of mismatched kids who must overcome their differences and work together to survive a crisis in space.
StanceThe film celebrates the power of teamwork and dreaming big, presenting the characters' cooperation and courage as triumphant.

The world

ContemporaryInstitutionalOuter spaceRealistic
Orchestral modernForeground music · original score · John Williams
SettingKennedy Space Center and the Space Shuttle Atlantis during an accidental launch
MusicJohn Williams's score is rousing and optimistic, underlining the adventure and feel-good tone.

Content guide

Is SpaceCamp okay for kids?

PG

SpaceCamp is rated PG. As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (15/100), sexual content at minimal (9/100), language at moderate (49/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (26/100) and frightening material at mild (29/100). Its violence, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 4 other countries
  • UKPG
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany6
  • FranceU
Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (9 votes)
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-rated film
heavier than 13%
Profanity
Moderate
heavy for a PG-rated film
heavier than 90%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (9 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (7 votes)

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

Too few votes to rank this title overall (49 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 SpaceCamp have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in SpaceCamp?

Cast

Kate Capshaw
as Andie
Lea Thompson
as Kathryn
Kelly Preston
as Tish
Larry B. Scott
as Rudy
Joaquin Phoenix
as Max
Tate Donovan
as Kevin
Tom Skerritt
as Zack
Barry Primus
as Brennan
Terry O'Quinn
as Launch Director
Mitchell Anderson
as Banning

Crew

More like this

What are movies like SpaceCamp?

Movies like SpaceCamp include The Martian (2015), Flight of the Navigator (1986) and Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005). Of the 12 closest matches, most are survival ordeal stories, and half are stories about astronauts.

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

10 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 SpaceCamp?

291 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: robot or ai. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.