Flight of the Navigator
A boy returned unchanged from an eight-year disappearance discovers that a sentient flying saucer may hold the key to reconnecting him with his family.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- whimsical
- uplifting
- nostalgic
- family movie night
- nostalgic weekend
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film to be a charming, entertaining, family-friendly science fiction adventure elevated by Joey Cramer's performance and impressive effects.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
David disappears at age twelve in 1978 and returns unchanged in 1986, creating the film's central emotional and sci-fi premise.
The flying saucer and its artificial intelligence drive David's exploration, escape, and discovery.
The Disney production combines a child hero, playful spacecraft interactions, and impressive effects within a PG family format.
David returns to a changed home and struggles with the loss of eight years while pursuing the mysterious spacecraft calling to him.
Films like Flight of the Navigator, and why
Back to the Future
family-friendly time travel adventure with a young protagonist, extraterrestrial technology, and an upbeat sense of wonder
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
child-centered science fiction adventure balancing alien contact, homesickness, humor, and accessible visual effects
The Last Starfighter
warm children's science fiction built around a mysterious spacecraft, imaginative technology, and emotional family stakes
Movie Details
- Director
- Randal Kleiser
- Release Date
- 1986-07-30
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (987)
Cast
- Joey Cramer
- Paul Reubens
- Veronica Cartwright
- Cliff DeYoung
- Sarah Jessica Parker
- Matt Adler
- Howard Hesseman
- Robert Small
- Jonathan Sanger
- Richard Liberty
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Flight of the Navigator about?
- A boy returned unchanged from an eight-year disappearance discovers that a sentient flying saucer may hold the key to reconnecting him with his family.
- What is Flight of the Navigator like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Flight of the Navigator as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Flight of the Navigator violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Flight of the Navigator.
- What did critics think of Flight of the Navigator?
- Critics broadly found the film to be a charming, entertaining, family-friendly science fiction adventure elevated by Joey Cramer's performance and impressive effects.
- Which films are like Flight of the Navigator?
- Films with a similar feel include Back to the Future, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and The Last Starfighter.
- How long is Flight of the Navigator?
- Flight of the Navigator runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch Flight of the Navigator?
- In United States, Flight of the Navigator streams on Disney Plus.
