NASA astronaut Jonny Kim recently posted some behind-the-scenes shots of the International Space Station (ISS) crew enjoying a movie night, and it looked like a fun and relaxing time. But much like how most airplane passengers will avoid watching movies like Alive, Flight, and Fearless while in the air, it’s quite possible that the ISS crew prefers to steer clear of certain movies to ensure they remain in a relaxed state for the rest of their time in orbit. With that in mind, here are six films they might want to avoid for future movie nights, and one they can definitely enjoy …
Gravity (2013)
In this classic, astronauts Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) find themselves stranded in low-Earth orbit after their spacecraft is destroyed by debris. With limited resources and communication lost, the pair have to work out how to survive while floating in the void of space. It’s safe to say that the ISS astronauts might not sleep at night if they watch Gravity, which cleverly creates an uneasy feeling of isolation and fear.
Life (2017)
A crew aboard an ISS-like spacecraft is tasked with studying a sample collected from Mars. Lo and behold, the sample turns out to be an alien organism that soon becomes hostile. As the organism grows more powerful, the crew faces a desperate fight for survival. Life plays heavily on the fear of being trapped in a small, enclosed space with a rapidly evolving, deadly organism. Definitely give this one a miss, Jonny!
Apollo 13 (1995)
Based on a true story, Apollo 13 follows a NASA crew stranded in space after an oxygen tank explodes. With a damaged spacecraft and failing life support systems, the three-man crew has to work together to survive and find a way back to Earth. The constant risk of catastrophic failure, with crew members stuck in a cramped, damaged spacecraft, combined with their dwindling oxygen and power, creates a sense of claustrophobia and panic. If Kim and his fellow crew members watch Apollo 13 on their movie night, it might make them overly conscious of their own equipment and safety protocols, and could even leave them feeling anxious about their own trip back to terra firma.
Alien (1979)
The legendary space horror flick features a crew dealing with a distress signal from a distant planet. After investigating, they unwittingly bring an alien lifeform aboard, leading to a deadly battle for survival. It’s edge-of-the-seat stuff, with the drama of the alien’s relentless hunt and the claustrophobic setting creating a terrifying atmosphere for viewers. The idea of being trapped in a small, confined space with a deadly creature hunting you would surely be too much for a crew living in a small, confined space in low-Earth orbit. Best leave Alien for a movie night back on Earth.
The Cloverfield Paradox (2018)
This sci-fi flick features a crew of astronauts who discover that a particle accelerator experiment has torn open a rift in space-time, causing bizarre and unnerving consequences. As strange phenomena begin to impact the crew, they come to realize that they’re no longer in their original reality. The chaos and paranoia of not knowing what’s real and what isn’t, combined with the threat of unseen forces, could make this a tough watch for astronauts on the ISS. But having said that, the real horror might be its 22% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Europa Report (2013)
Another sci-fi thriller, Europa Report follows a crew of astronauts on a mission to Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, to search for signs of life beneath its icy surface. The movie aims for a realistic, tense portrayal of space exploration, with a focus on the technical and emotional challenges faced by the crew. With the backdrop of a vast and hostile environment, and unfolding events leaving the crew in danger, Europa Report might be a difficult watch for some astronauts in orbit.
For something more light-hearted that should enable the ISS crew to sleep better and avoid harrowing nightmares, the comedy Galaxy Quest might be a better choice for movie night …
Galaxy Quest (1999)
In Galaxy Quest, the cast of a cheesy, canceled Star Trek-like TV show is mistaken for real astronauts by a group of aliens who need their help to save their planet. Initially clueless, the actors suddenly find themselves in a real space adventure that tests their abilities in ways they never imagined. Unlike the tense and isolating thrillers in our list, Galaxy Quest should make for an entertaining watch for the ISS astronauts, with its lighthearted humor and strong sense that even in space, a little camaraderie and humor can go a long way.
