Apollo 13 (1995)
Kernel Score: 90% · 5,772 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Drama, History
Released: 1995-06-30
Runtime: 140 minutes
Is Apollo 13 worth watching?
Must-watch. A true-story space disaster told with calm competence. You know how it ends, yet it stays tense because the crew's problem-solving feels real. Strong cast, clear storytelling and well deserved.
Watch it if you
- like true stories about people solving impossible problems
- enjoy space and engineering
- want a tense film everyone can watch
Skip it if you
- want fast, flashy action
- dislike technical talk
Best for: Whole-family movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Apollo 13
- Stream: Fubo, Philo, MGM+
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
The true story of technical troubles that scuttle the Apollo 13 lunar mission in 1970, risking the lives of astronaut Jim Lovell and his crew, with the failed journey turning into a thrilling saga of heroism. Drifting more than 200,000 miles from Earth, the astronauts work furiously with the ground crew to avert tragedy.
Apollo 13 parents' guide: ages 8+
Parents need to know that Apollo 13 is a PG-rated true-story drama about astronauts overcoming a life-threatening space disaster.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Depicts a tense spacecraft explosion and survival crisis, without graphic violence.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Apollo 13
If you liked Apollo 13, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Martian (2015) — 86%: Space survival won through clever problem-solving.
- Hidden Figures (2016) — 90%: Real NASA story about people doing hard, precise work.
- Apollo 11 (2019) — 87%: Real footage of the lunar landing.
- Thirteen Lives (2022) — 88%: True rescue story with tense teamwork.
- Interstellar (2014) — 95%: Epic space drama with emotional stakes.
- First Man (2018) — 78%: Another true space story, more sombre and personal.
Director
Cast
- Tom Hanks as Jim Lovell
- Bill Paxton as Fred Haise
- Kevin Bacon as Jack Swigert
- Gary Sinise as Ken Mattingly
- Ed Harris as Gene Kranz
- Kathleen Quinlan as Marilyn Lovell
- David Andrews as Pete Conrad
- Xander Berkeley as Henry Hurt
- Christian Clemenson as Dr. Chuck
- Brett Cullen as CAPCOM 1
Apollo 13 FAQ
Is Apollo 13 worth watching?
Must-watch. A true-story space disaster told with calm competence. You know how it ends, yet it stays tense because the crew's problem-solving feels real. Strong cast, clear storytelling and well deserved.
Where can I watch Apollo 13?
In the US you can stream Apollo 13 on Fubo, Philo and MGM+ and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Apollo 13 OK for kids?
Apollo 13 is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 8+. Parents need to know that Apollo 13 is a PG-rated true-story drama about astronauts overcoming a life-threatening space disaster.
What movies are like Apollo 13?
If you liked Apollo 13, try The Martian, Hidden Figures, Apollo 11 and Thirteen Lives.