← Back to results
Explorers
1985 109 min United States of America PG 6+
★6.4
Science Fiction, Adventure, Family
Director: Joe Dante
Trailers
EN
EN
Teaser
EN
Description
Middle schooler Ben spends his free time watching sci-fi films, playing video games and reading comic books. Surprisingly, his affinity for all things fantastical yields a real result – when he has a vivid dream about technology, his prodigy best friend Wolfgang manages to create a working spacecraft. Joined by their buddy Darren, the boys take off into outer space and encounter some very odd extraterrestrial life.
Budget:
$25M
US Gross:
$9.87M
Worldwide:
$9.9M
Starring
Ethan Hawke
Actor
River Phoenix
Actor
Bobby Fite
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1986
— Best Visual Effects
Saturn Awards 1986
— Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Key opinion
Explorers is viewed as a nostalgic, family-friendly science fiction adventure that captures the spirit of 1980s youth discovery. While it is cherished for the early performances of its young stars, the film is widely considered an uneven production hampered by a rushed, unsatisfying conclusion and dated visual effects.
| Acting | The early performances of Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix provide an authentic and engaging heart to the friendship dynamic. | |
| Ending | The third act shifts abruptly from a grounded story of wonder into a chaotic and vulgar farce that undermines the established tone. | |
| Production | The production relies on low-budget, dated visual effects that detract from the film's intended sense of spectacle. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided: some appreciate the imaginative, science-focused narrative for children, while others feel the plot is too thin to sustain a full feature film. |