Parents' Guide to Apollo 13

Movie PG 1995 140 minutes
Apollo 13 movie poster: Grainy close-up on Tom Hanks in an astronaut suit

Common Sense Media Review

By Nell Minow , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 11+

Thrilling, heartwarming, scary, and superb.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 11+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Apollo 13 Trailer
  • Apollo 13 Movie: Fred, Jack, and Jim in their spacesuits
  • Apollo 13 Movie: Gene stands in front of a chalkboard wearing a white waistcoat, hands on hips
  • Apollo 13 Movie: Inside the spaceship, three astronauts float while busy working

Parent and Kid Reviews

See all
age 11+

Based on 32 parent reviews

 

 

See all 32 parent reviews
age 11+

Based on 56 kid reviews

Kids say this movie is a thrilling and inspirational retelling of a real-life space mission, showcasing excellent performances and a captivating storyline, although many reviews criticize the excessive swearing and suggest it’s not suitable for younger viewers. While some find it compelling and educational, others feel the pacing can be slow, making it less enjoyable for those not specifically interested in space exploration.

  •  
  • great acting
  • educational
  • excessive swearing
  • slow pacing
  • intense moments
  • not for young kids
Summarized with AI
 

 

See all 56 kid reviews

What's the Story?

Oscar winner Tom Hanks plays real-life astronaut hero Jim Lovell in this true story of the 1970 APOLLO 13 mission to the moon that almost left three astronauts stranded in space when an oxygen tank exploded. NASA's mission control, thousands of miles away from the stranded astronauts, must figure out a way to get the men home in one piece.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 32 ):
Kids say ( 56 ):

In addition to having a thrilling story, masterful performances, and technical authenticity, this movie is a heartening story of the triumph of smart guys with slide rules. That makes Apollo 13 a relief in a world of movies that all too often resort to violence to win the day. But it's still a very intense watch: Even though viewers likely know that the Apollo 13 mission turned out all right, and even though the technical material is dense and the action is confined to a space smaller than an elevator, the tension is breathtaking, as the astronauts and the mission control team in Houston try to think their way back home. Everything from duct tape to the cover of the flight manual to one of the astronaut's socks is used.

The legendary "Failure is not an option" line, said by Gene Kranz (Ed Harris), head of mission control, when most people were certain the astronauts would never make it back, is worth discussing. So are the societal changes since the film's 1970 setting; note that everyone shown in mission control is a White man, and they smoke all the time. Is this an accurate depiction? What about movies like Hidden Figures that reveal another side to mid-20th century NASA? What parts of this movie resonate with kids today, and are there any aspects that feel outdated?

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the way that mission control solves the problems happening thousands of miles away by re-creating the conditions inside the Apollo 13 spacecraft. How do the adults handle the strain? When do they lose their tempers or blame one another? When do they work well together?

  • Discuss the real-life events that inspired the movie. How accurate do you think the movie is to what actually happened? How would you go about researching the original 1970 lunar mission? What are some reliable sources?

  • How do the astronauts and the mission control team demonstrate teamwork, perseverance, and courage in Apollo 13? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

Apollo 13 movie poster: Grainy close-up on Tom Hanks in an astronaut suit

What to Watch Next

See all

Historical Fiction

See all

Best Space Documentaries

See all recommended movie lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate