Best Space Documentaries

Aspiring astronauts and science enthusiasts will love these stellar documentaries about space. These films look at amazing feats of discovery and exploration, from landing on the moon to building telescopes that can see far beyond our galaxy. These true stories also introduce some of the brave and intelligent scientists and astronauts who made it possible to explore our vast universe by using their STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills. But even those who struggle with science can enjoy the gorgeous views of the cosmos and our planet from above. And for more out-of-this-world picks like Cosmos, try our list of the Best Science Shows for Kids.

Apollo 11 Poster Image
MOVIE

Apollo 11

age 5+

Moon-landing docu has awesome footage but may bore kids.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2019)
Good Night Oppy Movie Poster
MOVIE

Good Night Oppy

age 5+

Inspiring docu about Mars rovers has teamwork, curiosity.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2022)
A Beautiful Planet Poster Image
MOVIE

A Beautiful Planet

age 6+

Stunning look at Earth -- and man's sobering impact on it.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2016)
Armstrong Poster Image
MOVIE

Armstrong

age 8+

Portrait of an American hero celebrates humility, hard work.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2019)
Fight for Space Poster Image
MOVIE

Fight for Space

age 8+

Thoughtful docu about space program urges return to cosmos.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2017)
Journey to Space Poster Image
MOVIE

Journey to Space

age 8+

Stunning visuals in short docu about modern space program.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2015)
Roving Mars Poster Image
MOVIE

Roving Mars

age 8+

NASA sends robots to explore Mars in IMAX docu.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2006)
Woman in Motion Poster Image
MOVIE

Woman in Motion

age 8+

Docu about role model Nichelle Nichols inspires, delights.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2019)
The Farthest: Voyager in Space Poster Image
MOVIE

The Farthest: Voyager in Space

age 9+

Fascinating docu on the history and discoveries of Voyager.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2017)
Hubble 3D Poster Image
MOVIE

Hubble 3D

age 9+

Space lands on Earth in 3-D glory in this kid-friendly docu.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2010)
In the Shadow of the Moon Poster Image
MOVIE

In the Shadow of the Moon

age 9+

Lofty recap of the Apollo moon program.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2007)
Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds Poster Image
MOVIE

Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds

age 10+

Docu about meteorites has beauty, cosmic significance.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2020)
The Last Man on the Moon Poster Image
MOVIE

The Last Man on the Moon

age 10+

Awe-inspiring, insightful docu spotlights American astronaut

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2014)
The Mars Generation Poster Image
MOVIE

The Mars Generation

age 10+

Docu follows teens at NASA space camp; some peril.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2017)
Mercury 13 Poster Image
MOVIE

Mercury 13

age 10+

Inspiring docu about '60s female pilots who faced sexism.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2018)
Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo Poster Image
MOVIE

Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo

age 10+

Riveting documentary about NASA pioneers in '60s and '70s.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2017)
The Real Right Stuff Poster Image
MOVIE

The Real Right Stuff

age 10+

Intriguing documentary about NASA's Mercury Program.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2020)
Red Heaven Poster Image
MOVIE

Red Heaven

age 10+

Docu about Mars experiment shows toll of isolation.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station Poster Image
MOVIE

The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station

age 10+

Pleasant space partnership docu best for budding astronauts.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
Black Holes: The Edge of All We Know Poster Image
MOVIE

Black Holes: The Edge of All We Know

age 11+

Teams studying black holes make breakthroughs in worthy doc.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)