# October Sky (1999)

> A coal miner’s son turns Sputnik’s arrival into a daring rocket-building project that challenges his town’s expectations and his father’s vision for his future.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/movie/7790

## Facts

- Runtime: 107 min
- Genres: Drama, History, Family
- Director: Joe Johnston
- Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Chris Owen, Laura Dern, William Lee Scott, Chad Lindberg, Natalie Canerday, Elya Baskin
- TMDB rating: 7.7/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0132477/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: moderate
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: mild
- Mood: sincere, nostalgic, hopeful, family movie night, inspirational viewing

## Synopsis

A young boy's dreams of reaching the stars collide with the harsh realities of small-town life.

## Movies like October Sky

- [The Right Stuff (1983)](https://ember.film/movie/4727)
- [Hidden Figures (2016)](https://ember.film/movie/251014)
- [Radio (2003)](https://ember.film/movie/8147)
- [Paper Planes (2014)](https://ember.film/movie/172420)
- [Troop Zero (2019)](https://ember.film/movie/365188)
- [Apollo 13 (1995)](https://ember.film/movie/450)
- [The Hill (2023)](https://ember.film/movie/614486)
- [Wildlife (2018)](https://ember.film/movie/280095)
- [Eddie the Eagle (2016)](https://ember.film/movie/200647)
- [The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)](https://ember.film/movie/337605)

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