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Close Encounters of the Third Kind
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Suspenseful, thoughtful alien-encounter classic.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Close Encounters of the Third Kind was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that the arrival of the spaceships is suspenseful and can be scary. There are tense moments as Roy and Jillian approach Devil's Tower. Smaller children may be scared when Barry is taken by the aliens, and by his mother's distress. Older children may be upset when Roy's family leaves him.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the idea of life beyond our solar system. Do you think there are other intelligent beings out there? Why or why not? If so, what do you think they're like, and do you think they'll ever come to Earth? In this movie, why was music a good way for the aliens to communicate with the people on Earth? And what did the scientist mean when he said it was the first day of school? Families can also discuss what might happen in a sequel to this movie. What do you think happened next?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Close Encounters of the Third Kind
What’s the Story?
When Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) and Jillian Guiler (Melinda Dillon) "encounter" a UFO, they travel to its landing site, Devil's Tower, Wyoming. Jillian is seeking her son, who went bye-bye with the alien ship. Roy's obsession with the UFO sighting drives his family away. Inexplicably drawn to Devil's Tower, Roy and Jillian realize that they're not the only ones who feel they've been called there. French scientist Claude Lacombe (Francois Truffaut), top-secret U.S. government agents, and ordinary folks are there to meet an enormous spacecraft, which, when it shows up, returns humans taken over decades (including Jillian's son). When the aliens appear, Roy boldly boards the ship in an intergalactic exchange program. (In the reissue, which added some new scenes, viewers get a glimpse of the inside of the spacecraft.)
Is It Any Good?
This is a thrilling adventure story and a brilliant example of the art and craft of moviemaking. The story unfolds with extraordinary power, involving viewers as much in Roy's inexplicable compulsion as in Jillian's search for her son. And the story itself is so different from many other alien movies -- it posits the idea not just that "something" is out there, but that it's something wonderful. Watch how Spielberg lets viewers know that the aliens are friendly.
There's something very believable and compelling about the way that the aliens use music to communicate and to teach the people on earth. Spielberg creates a sense of wonder not just in Jillian's son Barry (Cary Guffey) but in the adult characters and in the viewers, making them children again, with the aliens as the "adults," who -- reassuringly -- look and behave like gentle children, giving us a sense of comfort.
Movie Details
Studio: Columbia Tristar, Director: Steven Spielberg
Run time: 0 minutes
Theatrical release: 01/01/1977
MPAA Rating: PG for some intense sci-fi action, mild language and thematic elements.
Run time: 0 minutes
Theatrical release: 01/01/1977
MPAA Rating: PG for some intense sci-fi action, mild language and thematic elements.
Our Members Say
See all 7 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
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I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
Great Movie but people say bad words a lot.
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I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
I Saw This Movie When I Was Six, I Was Blown Away
This movie is great. Anyone can see it. No violence.No harsh language. I don't usually care about those things though. But anyways don't listen to anyone, just watch it! And by the way, batteries not included is a movie, they just haven't reviewed it lol
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
You *DO* know what I'm trying to say, right?
The funny thing is "batteries not included"!
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Classic.
I love this Sci-Fi flick. It epitomizes everything good about sci-fi: the childlike awe at the amazing effects and events, the mystery, and an overall good story. Two thumbs up!
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Great Sci-Fi Family Adventure Drama
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Excellent Sci-Fi Film.
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