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Animated drama

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood (2022) movie poster

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood is a 2022 animated drama directed by Richard Linklater, starring Milo Coy as Stan, Zachary Levi and Glen Powell. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
Echo Score
63
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Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 37m (97 min)
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood About?

The premise of Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In 1969, as the world anticipates the Apollo 11 moon landing, a young boy growing up in Houston, Texas, experiences a childhood filled with wonder and imagination. Inspired by the space race and the bravery of the Apollo missions, he dreams of his own journey to the stars. The film blends the perspective of the astronauts with that of a boy pursuing his own ambitious dreams, offering a nostalgic look at a pivotal time in history and the excitement of a generation.

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood Themes & Keywords

· 31 tags
  • coming of age
  • space
  • moon
  • exploration
  • apollo
  • apollo 11
  • rotoscoping
  • planet
  • rocket launch
  • astronaut
  • cosmic
  • year 1969
+19 more
  • galaxy
  • mission
  • coming of age drama
  • cg animation
  • spanking
  • spaceship
  • rocket
  • space program
  • family life
  • journey
  • national air and space administration
  • teenage boy
  • mature animation
  • flatulence
  • nostalgia
  • for grown ups animation
  • 1960s
  • based on true story
  • number in title
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Cast & crew

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood Cast & Characters

Milo Coy leads the cast as Stan, with Zachary Levi as Kranz and Glen Powell as Bostick. Directed by Richard Linklater; 16 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood

· 12 more
Ratings

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (45).

63 /100

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood Echo Score Breakdown

Apollo 10½ delivers a richly textured nostalgic portrait of 1960s Texas, anchored by distinctive rotoscoped visuals and a personal voice. While critics applaud its artistic ambition and emotional resonance, many viewers note a reliance on narration that dampens narrative drive and limits broader appeal. The film shines when evoking period details, yet its uneven storytelling curtails lasting impact. Overall, it offers a charming yet uneven meditation on memory and history.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s rotoscoped animation and vivid color palette receive consistent praise. Critics highlight the vivid suburban imagery and seamless blending of historical footage, while users commend the unique visual style that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Some mention occasional detachment, but overall the direction, production design, and editing are regarded as strong, contributing to an engaging visual experience.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are viewed as mixed. Reviewers note Jos​h Wiggins’s grounded portrayal and occasional warmth in the ensemble, yet Jack Black’s narration is described as jarring by several users. Critics appreciate the personal, nostalgic tone, but also cite a sense of detachment. Consequently, the acting and emotional depth are considered competent but not uniformly compelling.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative is frequently described as meandering. Critics and users alike point to heavy reliance on narration, limited conflict, and pacing that shifts from engaging childhood wonder to a documentary‑like recounting. While the premise intrigues, many feel the plot lacks cohesion and momentum, resulting in a mixed to negative perception of overall storytelling effectiveness.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In the sensory experience domain, the film’s soundtrack and sound design complement its visual style, enhancing the period atmosphere. Reviewers commend the integration of historic audio clips and the whimsical musical cues that underscore nostalgic moments. Although narration occasionally distracts, the overall auditory and visual cohesion contribute positively to the sensory impression.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    For rewatch factor, the film offers a nostalgic appeal that may resonate with viewers familiar with the 1960s space era. Critics see it as a lasting tribute, yet many users suggest its novelty wanes after a single viewing due to repetitive narration and limited plot development. Thus, its replay value is moderate, attracting repeat viewings primarily from a niche audience.

Plot

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film narrates the remarkable story of the first moon landing during the summer of 1969, captured through two distinct lenses: the experience of astronauts and the perspective from mission control, intertwined with the innocent viewpoint of an excited child observing it all from home, much like the millions of others glued to their screens. The film artfully juxtaposes a historical re-creation of this monumental event with a young boy’s vivid fantasy of being unexpectedly selected to train for a covert journey to the moon.

Full summary

The whole story of Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip and 4 featurettes.

All 6 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip Late 60s Houston
  • Featurette The Making of Richard Linklater's Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood
  • Featurette APOLLO 10 ½: A SPACE AGE CHILDHOOD Q&A with Director Richard Linklater
  • Featurette Behind The Animation of Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
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  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In what year does the story of 'Apollo 10½' predominantly take place?

Cars

Cars in Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood

42 cars on screen, including the 1968 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser and the 1958 Chrysler Saratoga.

All 42 cars
  • 1968 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser in Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood 1968 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser Important role
  • 1958 Chrysler Saratoga in Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood 1958 Chrysler Saratoga Minor role
  • 1968 Ford F-Series in Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood 1968 Ford F-Series Minor role
  • 1963 Buick Riviera in Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood 1963 Buick Riviera Background role
Details

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood Also Known As

32 alternative titles, including “Apollo 10 1/2” and “Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Adventure”.

Also known as
  • Apollo 10 1/2
  • Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Adventure
  • Apollo 10½: A Space Age Adventure
  • Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood
  • Apollo 10 1/2: Eine Kindheit im Weltraumzeitalter
  • Apollo 10½: Et barn av romalderen
  • 阿波罗10½号:太空时代的童年
  • 阿波罗 10 号半:我要上太空
  • Apolo 10½: Una infancia espacial
  • 아폴로 10 1/2: 스페이스 에이지 어드벤처
  • Apollo 10 1/2: Dítě kosmického věku
  • Аполлон-10½: Приключение космического века
+20 more
  • Apollo 10 1/2 : Les fusées de mon enfance
  • Apollo 10½: Eine Kindheit im Weltraumzeitalter
  • Apollo 10 1/2: Kosmiczne dzieciństwo
  • Apollo 10 e Meio: Aventura na Era Espacial
  • Apollo 10 e mezzo
  • Аполлон-10½: Дитинство космічної ери
  • Apollo-10
  • 5: Űrkorszaki gyerekkor
  • 阿波罗10号半:我要上太空
  • Apollo 10 ½: Dítě kosmického věku
  • Απόλλων 10 1/2: Παιδί στη Διαστημική Εποχή
  • Apollo 10½: Uzay Çağında Çocuk Olmak
  • אפולו ½10: הרפתקה בעידן החלל
  • Apolo 10 1/2: Una infancia espacial
  • 5: Djetinjstvo u svemirsko doba
  • 阿波羅 10 號半:我要上太空
  • Apollo 10½: Kosmoso amžiaus nuotykis
  • آپولو ده و نیم: یک ماجراجویی فضایی
  • Apollo 10 1/2: Copilărie în era spațială
  • อะพอลโล 10 1/2: วัยเด็กยุคอวกาศ

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FAQ

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood?

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

When was Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood released?

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood was released on March 25, 2022.

Who directed Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood?

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood was directed by Richard Linklater.

More films by Richard Linklater

Who is in the cast of Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood?

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood stars Milo Coy as Stan, Zachary Levi as Kranz and Glen Powell as Bostick, among 16 credited actors.

How is Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood rated?

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70% on TMDB and 3.6/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood have a post-credit scene?

No. Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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