Sally

Play trailer

2:17

Sally

2025

1h 43m

Documentary

Biography

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Sally explores the life and legacy of astronaut Dr. Sally Ride, who became the first American woman to blast off into space and forever changed the course of science, exploration, and women's empowerment. But as she flew into orbit, Ride faced the challenges of institutional critics and the prejudice of an American public who were skeptical that a woman could do the job of an astronaut. Undeterred, Ride dove headfirst into that struggle, propelled by a determination few could match. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage, Sally also chronicles the 27-year romance with life partner Tam O'Shaughnessy, which was kept secret from the public until the day of Ride's death.

Watch on Disney+

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Sally fuses polished documentary technique with sharp humor and pointed social critique to craft a moving, culturally incisive portrait of a trailblazing astronaut.

Read Critics Reviews

Jeannette Catsoulis

New York Times

06/18/2025

What’s lacking is style, not substance, as the movie bustles with diverting details.

Go to Full Review

Bob Strauss

San Francisco Chronicle

06/17/2025

4/4

Cristina Costantini gets some sly laughs, edged with appropriate anger, out of the sexist mindsets Ride deftly steered her career through in the 1970s and ’80s.

Go to Full Review

Sherin Nicole

RogerEbert.com

06/16/2025

3/4

What makes the documentary so fascinating is its refusal to reduce Ride to a single narrative.

Go to Full Review

Olivia Popp

Purple Hour

Nov 18

Most successfully, Sally doesn’t shy away from the intertwinement of Ride’s scientific life with her personal one, even if the former was so aggressively in the public eye, and the latter was the polar opposite.

Go to Full Review

Marie Asner

Phantom Tollbooth

07/23/2025

4/5

In this documentary, partly narrated by Tam O’Shaughnessy, the life of Sally Ride is open to the public.

Go to Full Review

Karina Adelgaard

Womentainment

07/17/2025

4/5

Sally Ride was brilliant, fierce, remarkable and has left a huge mark on the world. With this documentary, it has expanded to encompass even more elements of who she was.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Blake- N

@PBSAniDom Jun 2

Sally stands out as one of the best modern National Geographic films I have seen. It tells its story with real heart, purpose, and a strong sense of respect for its subject. From start to finish, it feels thoughtful and inspiring. What makes this film so effective is how engaging and polished it is. The pacing stays smooth, the visuals are beautiful, and the storytelling keeps you focused without ever feeling forced. It has that classic National Geographic feel, but with a fresh modern touch. I also really appreciated how meaningful it felt overall. It is the kind of film that stays with you because it is both moving and well made. Even without giving anything away, it is easy to say this is a standout. Overall, Sally is a powerful, memorable, and beautifully crafted film. I would rate it a 10/10.

See more

Tina T

@TinaTurner 07/25/2025

What a beautiful documentary. I laughed, cried, felt awe and inspiration 💗 Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story!

See more

Gareth D

@HiGarethDavies 07/15/2025

Not the most dramatic or stylish documentary, but well told and an interesting story about a complex over-achiever. Part NASA documentary and part love story.

See more

Michael W

@mawilps 07/05/2025

This space documentary about Sally Ride, the first woman to go into space was ok. Even though she achieved so much in her career, her personal life was sad and depressing. If you haven't seen this documentary yet, don't waste your time. It's not worth it.

See more

Kalissa H

@kali_416 06/29/2025

Even though the ending was sad, it was a very inspirational and interesting documentary.

See more

Megan K

@Bubbles5662 06/26/2025

Inspiring for female aviators everywhere!

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Cristina Costantini

Director

Sally Ride

Self

Tam O'Shaughnessy

Self

Dan Cogan

Producer

Lauren Cioffi

Producer

Liz Garbus

Executive Producer

Sally: Trailer 1

2:17

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Sally explores the life and legacy of astronaut Dr. Sally Ride, who became the first American woman to blast off into space and forever changed the course of science, exploration, and women's empowerment. But as she flew into orbit, Ride faced the challenges of institutional critics and the prejudice of an American public who were skeptical that a woman could do the job of an astronaut. Undeterred, Ride dove headfirst into that struggle, propelled by a determination few could match. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage, Sally also chronicles the 27-year romance with life partner Tam O'Shaughnessy, which was kept secret from the public until the day of Ride's death.

Director: Cristina Costantini
Producer: Dan Cogan, Lauren Cioffi
Distributor: National Geographic
Production Co: Story Syndicate, National Geographic Documentary Films, Muck Media
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 17, 2025
Runtime: 1h 43m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings