The Right Stuff

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The Right Stuff

PG

1983

3h 13m

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

This adaptation of the non-fiction novel by Tom Wolfe chronicles the first 15 years of America's space program. By focusing on the lives of the Mercury astronauts, including John Glenn (Ed Harris) and Alan Shepard (Scott Glenn), the film recounts the dangers and frustrations experienced by those involved with NASA's earliest achievements. It also depicts their family lives and the personal crises they endured during an era of great political turmoil and technological innovation.

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Critics Consensus

The Right Stuff packs a lot of movie into its hefty running time, spinning a colorful, fact-based story out of consistently engaging characters in the midst of epochal events.

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Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

Oct 28, 2023

It still thrills with its expert casting and dazzling visuals.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Sep 13, 2023

The Right Stuff gives off a pleasurable hum: it’s the writer-director Philip Kaufman’s enjoyment of the subject, the actors, and moviemaking itself.

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Adam Nayman

The Ringer

Mar 27, 2020

Where 2001: A Space Odyssey depicted astronauts (and mankind) as being at the mercy of some higher, alien intelligence, The Right Stuff finds its characters imposing their will on the unknown.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Feb 6, 2025

7/10

Informative, straightforward, and an admirable dramatization of a monumental era and program and its key players.

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Alan Jones

Starburst

Aug 1, 2022

This timely delve into the past - warts and all - to uncover the roots of a future we are now participating in has a basic ingredient that so many films lately have lacked. And that is integrity

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Taylor Baker

Drink in the Movies

Sep 1, 2021

90/100

Episode 12: Away We Go

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 19, 2026

The Right Stuff = a *5* star Movie!

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Vincent S

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Aug 6, 2026

A thrilling, funny, fascinating and grand American film, maybe the best ever about America. It starts with one of my favorite performances and characters in Sam Shepard playing Chuck Yeager. Then we get the most fun and exciting history lesson ever in a historical movie. You have incredible special effects for 1983, breathtaking cinematography and outstanding direction. The performances by a cast of standouts, some that were just getting noticed. The 3 hours fly by and this is how you make an epic of stunning quality.

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Ed B.

@EdLee May 18, 2026

The Right Stuff, is one of those films that really hits the mark in every way. Starts off with Chuck Yeager and X1 , breaking the sound barrier. Then to the Mercury Program by NASA in early 1960s. Acting is superb, and movie captures the patriotism America had during the time period. Love this movie.

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Meri S.

@mschroeder Feb 21, 2026

I’m really not into space travel, but my husband is, so he introduced this movie to me. With that being said this movie gave me an education into the venture the US took into space travel. It’s an epic watch at 3+ hours. Loved ed Harris as John Glenn.

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Jon G

@RT43191456 Aug 17, 2025

Still one of the best movies of all time in my opinion.

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Kyle M

@RT77296778 Jul 6, 2025

The 80s’ “Apollo 13” just as crowd-pleasing with uplifting sensationalism over stunning imagery backed up by beautifully captivating score to partially express the stellar craftsmanship that transcends its historical facts, aside from how impeccably casted it is to not only solidify the descriptive entertainment value plus bolsters their calibers in appreciation from their respective peaks but also eponymously qualified to be its year’s best. (A-)

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Philip Kaufman

Director

Sam Shepard

Capt

Scott Glenn

Capt. Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr., Mercury Astronaut

Ed Harris

Maj. John Herschel Glenn Jr., Mercury Astronaut

Dennis Quaid

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Fred Ward

Gus Grissom

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Synopsis

This adaptation of the non-fiction novel by Tom Wolfe chronicles the first 15 years of America's space program. By focusing on the lives of the Mercury astronauts, including John Glenn (Ed Harris) and Alan Shepard (Scott Glenn), the film recounts the dangers and frustrations experienced by those involved with NASA's earliest achievements. It also depicts their family lives and the personal crises they endured during an era of great political turmoil and technological innovation.

Director: Philip Kaufman
Producer: Robert Chartoff, Irwin Winkler
Screenwriter: Philip Kaufman, Tom Wolfe
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: The Ladd Company
Rating: PG
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 9, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
Runtime: 3h 13m
Sound Mix: Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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