The messages of hope and perseverance are powerful in this movie. However, there is some language that is not appropriate for a PG movie (A**, Sonofab****, S**** etc) and there are some inappropriate sexual references involving teens. Preview it before watching with the kids...
October Sky
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Inspiring tale for older tweens and up.
Themes in this movie include: family relationships, growing up
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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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 October Sky was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that this moving drama based on a true story centers on a very difficult, tense father-son relationship. Ultimately, the movie is about following your dreams, no matter how unachievable they might feel. In one scene, a drunken stepfather beats up one of the main character's friends; there's also some surprisingly strong language for a PG-rated movie (including "s--t") and a few mild sexual references.
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 how Homer, not a great student and not especially strong in math, becomes so inspired by an idea that he begins to think in new ways. Has that ever happened to you?
- Why it was hard for John to support Homer's ambitions? Why did his mother see it differently?
- Do you think Homer made the right choice in going to work in the mine -- and in leaving it?
- How does the movie portray the way that "nerds" are treated in school? Do you think people are evaluated differently in school than they are once they get out?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on October Sky
What’s the Story?
OCTOBER SKY is set in 1957, when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first man-made orbiting satellite. Thanks to their teacher Miss Riley (Laura Dern), Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his high school friends peer up into the clear sky over their tiny West Virginia coal mining town to see its tiny spark drift across the stars. Homer dreams of being a rocket scientist. His father, John (Chris Cooper), the mine supervisor, does not understand Homer's longing for a wider horizons. But others do. Miss Riley roots for "the unlucky ones." Homer's mother who covers the kitchen wall with a mural of the seascape she longs to see. Homer's friends are glad to be a part of something new and important, and the community is proud to have a hero.
Is It Any Good?
This true story of a boy from a small town who dreams of becoming a rocket scientist is one the best films of the past year and one of the best family movies ever made. We know from the beginning where the story is going, just as we knew with Rocky. The triumph of the underdog is one of literature's most enduring themes. As long as it is done well, audiences are happy to go along. It is never done better than it is here. The script, the production design, and the acting are all superb.
Gyllenhaal's expressive eyes show his simultaneous longing for the stars and for his father's approval. Cooper makes a role that could have been a one-dimensional tyrant multi-layered and complex, even sympathetic. Plot twists that might seem heavy-handed or melodramatic work because we know they really happened, and because these characters make us believe. We care so deeply about them that when we see real home movie footage of the real-life Homer's experiments we feel as though they are a part of our family.
Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures, Director: Joe Johnston
Run time: 108 minutes
Theatrical release: 2/21/1999
MPAA Rating: PG for language, brief teen sensuality & alcohol use, & for some thematic elements
Run time: 108 minutes
Theatrical release: 2/21/1999
MPAA Rating: PG for language, brief teen sensuality & alcohol use, & for some thematic elements
Our Members Say
See all 12 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Awesome message, language is a bit gritty.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Perfect family movie, or just to watch by yourself! Best movie ever!
I absolutely fell in love with this movie when I first saw it. I saw October Sky 6 times, and never get tired of it! One of the best movies I have ever seen. Very heart-warming and inspiring.
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
A great movie
This is an excellent movie, which is very inspiring. However, there are a few sexual references, and Homer and his girlfriend are shown in a steamed-up car. There is also some strong language for a PG.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
A definate must-see.
This is an inspiring movie that will move you and your children. It sends a powerful and good message about following your dreams. There is very little sexual content and some language, but nothing that should stop you from watching it...I highly reccomend it to everyone! Great for 11+
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Meh...
Am I the only one who didn't really like this movie? Well, I thought it was decent, wholesome family entertainment, but had a feeling of 'been there done that' to it. It's just another inspirational 'true story' kind of film, that's been done countless times before. But the main problem with 'October Sky' was the ending, which I found to be overly sentimental and rather corny, and caused some unintentional laughs from me. Overall, I thought this was an okay movie-mildly entertaining, and has a good cast, but far too sentimental, and the whole thing is more unexciting than inspiring.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Best Movie I Ever Saw
I loved this movie, my 6th grade science teacher showed it to me just this year. We were doing a rocket unit was why, and I thought it was phenomenal.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Inspiring Family Film for All! A Must-See!
OCTOBER SKY is the best. Here we have pin-point acting, marvelous directing, and an inspiring story about tolerance and following your dreams. It's beautiful. After teen Homer Hickam sees Sputnik race across the sky, he is determined to build rockets. One would think that's okay, but it's hard for Homer. He lives in Coalwood, a small, no-name town that relies on its coal mine for everything. To sum it up: No coal mine, no Coalwood. Homer's efforts are discouraged constantly by his miner father and his school principal, but are encouraged by schoolteacher Miss Riley and his mother. So Homer and his buddies hike a few miles, build a launch pad, and let the rockets fly. (SPOILER) Their brilliant work leads to victory at the nationwide science fair. Cursing is strong for a PG rating, but not as frequent as BACK TO THE FUTURE. "b**ch", "a*s", "da*n", and "s**t" are used many times. There is really no sex outside of teenage boys planning to wrap their arms around pretty girls, and the only violence is when a boy is briefly and non-graphically beat by his step-father. The beating is halted by Homer's dad. Really, OCTOBER SKY is the best. It's all you can hope for from movies. The acting is perfect, especially Laura Dern, who is an on-screen gem as Miss Riley. Watch it with your whole family and enjoy. This movie is a perfect example of what attracted us to movies in the first place. Highly reccommended.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 100% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 100% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
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