Rotten Tomatoes
Suggestions will appear as you start typing. Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Flight of the Navigator

Play trailer Poster for Flight of the Navigator PG 1986 1h 29m Kids & Family Sci-Fi Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
87% Tomatometer 30 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
This 1978 Disney adventure tells the story of 12-year-old David (Joey Cramer) who lives with his family in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. When he awakens from being accidentally knocked out in the forest near his home, he finds that eight years have passed. His family is overjoyed to have him back, but just as perplexed as he is by the fact that he hasn't aged. When a NASA scientist (Howard Hesseman) discovers a UFO nearby, David gets the chance to unravel the mystery and recover the life he lost.
Watch on Fandango Stream Now

Where to Watch

Flight of the Navigator

Flight of the Navigator

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Bolstered by impressive special effects and a charming performance from its young star, Flight of the Navigator holds up as a solidly entertaining bit of family-friendly sci-fi.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Victoria Mather Daily Telegraph (UK) Jan 22, 2025
It is good, cheery stuff and stimulating in a healthy Boy's Own tradition. Go to Full Review Lee Siegel Associated Press Oct 25, 2018
Flight of the Navigator won't earn a place among Disney's classics. but it's a perfectly entertaining sci-fi movie that does a creditable job with the stale human-meets-alien theme. Go to Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Tribune Apr 1, 2014
3/4
When the film shifts into the action mode in its second half -- the flying saucer returns to aid in David`s rescue -- it becomes quite bright and lively. Go to Full Review Philip French Observer (UK) Jan 22, 2025
The junior Rip Van Winkle part of the film is amusing and genuinely touching. The rest is less so, though it interestingly combines two recurrent themes in recent American cinema. Go to Full Review Kelechi Ehenulo VultureHound Jul 15, 2020
4/5
When you add up all the evidence, Flight of the Navigator remains one of the most underrated pinnacles of the sci-fi genre, a euphoric mix of pop culture nostalgia and feel-good entertainment. Go to Full Review William Wolf Gannett News Service Nov 6, 2019
Flight of the Navigator, the Disney studio's new movie aimed at children, has the warmed-over feeling of other time-travel yarns. But the story is snappily told and is sure to keep youngsters enthralled. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Teddy B @RT90521672 1 hr ago While it doesn't match its startlingly dreary and melancholic elements with its upbeat, cheery, childlike scenes of exploration very well at all, 'Flight of the Navigator' is always interesting, and surprisingly high-concept for its time, studio and genre. It can be genuinely upsetting and inspiring, and does both surprisingly well as individual moods, so I guess I have to pay my dues... See more Gunner I @RT64755212 Sep 13, 2026 I remember watching this movie back in the 80s. It's beyond anyone's wildest dreams to take a ride in a flying saucer. This movie answers that dream, especially for an 80s movie. See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 6, 2026 Flight of the Navigator = *4* star Movie See more Tim M @tgmacman May 28, 2026 Flight of the Navigator has enough sense of wonder to find its way, even if it is strictly for children. See more Zaccario P. @zaccarioplanetoid Mar 27, 2026 This movie was underrated when it came out, but I’d hold it up to classics like E.T. and Goonies. See more ERIC G. @ericgreene1977 Mar 13, 2026 This is my favorite movie of all times. I love this movie See more Read all reviews
Flight of the Navigator

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Randal Kleiser

Director

Joey Cramer

David Freeman

Veronica Cartwright

Helen Freeman

Cliff DeYoung

Bill Freeman

Sarah Jessica Parker

Carolyn McAdams

Matt Adler

Jeff (16 years)

More Like This

View All
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 99% 72% E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Watchlist TRAILER for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf 67% 47% White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf Watchlist White Fang 88% 63% White Fang Watchlist Tom and Huck 25% 42% Tom and Huck Watchlist Treasure Planet 68% 73% Treasure Planet Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

Flight of the Navigator

Flight of the Navigator (1986) Flight of the Navigator (1986) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis This 1978 Disney adventure tells the story of 12-year-old David (Joey Cramer) who lives with his family in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. When he awakens from being accidentally knocked out in the forest near his home, he finds that eight years have passed. His family is overjoyed to have him back, but just as perplexed as he is by the fact that he hasn't aged. When a NASA scientist (Howard Hesseman) discovers a UFO nearby, David gets the chance to unravel the mystery and recover the life he lost.
Director
Randal Kleiser
Producer
Robert Wald, Dmitri Villard
Screenwriter
Michael Burton, Matt McManus
Production Co
Viking Film, Producers Sales Organization, Walt Disney Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Kids & Family, Sci-Fi, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 30, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$17.2M
Runtime
1h 29m
Sound Mix
Surround
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings