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Historical documentary

Apollo 11 (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Apollo 11 (2019) movie poster

Apollo 11 is a 2019 historical documentary directed by Todd Douglas Miller, starring Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $15.3 million worldwide. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best Documentary Feature at the Spirit Awards 2020. Critics gave it 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 88 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10.

IMDb rating
8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
99%
worldwide gross
$15.3M
award nominations
2
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Apollo 11 (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Genres
History , Documentary
Original language
English
Studio
Neon
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Apollo 11 About?

The premise of Apollo 11 without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Experience NASA's historic Apollo 11 mission, which landed humans on the moon. Through recently discovered 65mm footage and over 11,000 hours of audio recordings, witness the pivotal moments of 1969. The film offers a unique perspective, showcasing the journey through the eyes of astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the dedicated team at Mission Control, and the millions of people who watched in amazement.

Apollo 11 Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • apollo 11
  • astronaut
  • reference to michael collins the astronaut
  • cold war
  • electronic music score
  • buzz aldrin character
  • neil armstrong character
  • space race
  • year 1969
  • cape canaveral florida
  • kennedy space center
  • rocket launch
+38 more
  • moon
  • mission to the moon
  • moon landing
  • reference to the vietnam war
  • reference to the chappaquiddick incident
  • reference to ted kennedy
  • ticker tape parade
  • presidential phone call
  • quarantine
  • atmospheric reentry
  • scale model
  • tracked vehicle
  • rocket platform
  • bell 47 ranger helicopter
  • launch pad 39a
  • john f. kennedy quotation
  • american flag
  • archive footage
  • family photograph
  • gearing up
  • police whistle
  • nasa
  • launchpad
  • searchlight
  • history documentary
  • space sci fi
  • egg beater
  • shoe untied
  • throwing a rock in a lake
  • soaking wet
  • children fighting
  • kicked in the shin
  • playing football
  • hand crank telephone
  • hiking
  • playing leap frog
  • tying a shoe lace
  • sleeping on a picnic table
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Cast & crew

Apollo 11 Cast

Neil Armstrong leads the cast, with Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. Directed by Todd Douglas Miller; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Apollo 11

· 6 more
From the director

More from Todd Douglas Miller

More films directed by Todd Douglas Miller, best-rated first: Dinosaur 13, Apollo 11: Quarantine and The Last Steps.

Full filmography
Ratings

Apollo 11 Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Apollo 11 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 88 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 89/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (80).

89 /100

Apollo 11 Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Apollo 11 excels as an immersive visual documentary that emphasizes authentic archival imagery and meticulous editing. The film’s jaw-dropping restorations and fluid pacing sustain tension even when the outcome is known, while its real-time presentation fosters a strong sense of presence. Occasional critiques note a lack of narrative novelty, but these are outweighed by the emotional engagement and technical prowess on display. Ultimately, Apollo 11 offers a compelling and inspiring cinematic experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 92

    In terms of art and craft, Apollo 11 displays exceptional visual restoration and precise editing techniques. The direction emphasizes clarity in every frame, supported by an understated color palette and seamless transitions. The meticulous production design and balanced shot composition highlight archival textures. This cohesive visual approach underscores the film’s artistry and technical sophistication.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to character and emotion, Apollo 11 evokes empathetic engagement through its portrayal of astronaut interactions and mission control dynamics. The immersive assembly of candid audio snippets conveys genuine camaraderie and tension. Although there is no added narration or interviews, the film’s focus on raw archival exchanges fosters emotional resonance. Consequently, it creates a palpable human connection to the historic event.

  • Story & Flow 85

    In terms of story and flow, Apollo 11 constructs a coherent narrative from purely archival material. The pacing remains measured, balancing buildup and climax to sustain tension despite the inevitable outcome. While some viewers note the familiar subject matter lacks novel insights, the film’s engaging structure and clarity of progression maintain focus. The net effect is an engrossing historical chronicle.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    When considering sensory experience, Apollo 11 delivers striking audio-visual immersion through high-definition restorations and nuanced sound design. The clarity of archival footage is complemented by a contemporary score that underscores key moments. Occasional critiques mention the modern soundtrack feels somewhat discordant, but the overall cohesion between imagery and sound sustains a captivating atmosphere. It achieves a richly immersive sensory landscape.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    When it comes to rewatch factor, Apollo 11 offers strong replay value driven by its technical mastery and emotional pull. The meticulous assembly of archival content reveals new details on subsequent viewings, sustaining interest beyond the first experience. While the known historical outcome limits suspense for some, the vivid imagery and authentic audio create a lasting appeal that encourages revisitation.

Plot

Apollo 11 Plot Summary

What happens in Apollo 11 from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

On its fiftieth anniversary, the film showcases the captivating events of the Apollo 11 mission by utilizing exclusive archival footage and still photographs connected to this groundbreaking journey. This extraordinary mission is highlighted by the meticulous preparations leading up to the launch and culminates with the safe return of the capsule and its three astronauts to Earth.

Apollo 11 marks a monumental achievement as it was the first mission that enabled humans to set foot on the moon’s surface, granting Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin the remarkable distinction of being the first and second individuals to walk on the moon, while Michael Collins remained in the capsule. This mission was one of the most perilous at that time, significantly due to the astronauts stepping outside the capsule’s secured environment.

Full summary

The whole story of Apollo 11, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Apollo 11 Box Office

Apollo 11 grossed $15.3 million worldwide. $9 million came from the US and Canada and $6.3 million (41%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$15.3M

US & Canada
$9M
International
$6.3M
US & Canada 59% Rest of the world 41%
Awards

Apollo 11 Awards & Nominations

Apollo 11 earned 2 award nominations, including Best Documentary Feature at the Spirit Awards 2020. The 2 nominations come from 2 ceremonies.

2 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Apollo 11 Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 3 trailers and 1 teaser.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Apollo 11 (2019) | Official IMAX® Trailer | Exclusively in IMAX Theatres March 1
  • Trailer Apollo 11 - Official Trailer Canada
  • Teaser
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Apollo 11?

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
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What was the primary goal of the Apollo 11 mission?

Cars

Cars in Apollo 11

9 cars on screen, including the 1967 Clark Cortez and the 1964 Marion KSC Crawler Transporter.

All 9 cars
  • 1967 Clark Cortez in Apollo 11 1967 Clark Cortez Minor role
  • 1964 Marion KSC Crawler Transporter in Apollo 11 1964 Marion KSC Crawler Transporter Minor role
  • Space Corp 40K Transporter Loader in Apollo 11 Space Corp 40K Transporter Loader Minor role
  • 1967 Chevrolet unknown in Apollo 11 1967 Chevrolet unknown Background role
Details

Apollo 11 Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “阿波羅11號 (中文)” and “Apollo XI (2019)”.

Also known as
  • 阿波羅11號 (中文)
  • Apollo XI (2019)
  • Аполлон 11
  • 아폴로 11
  • 阿波罗11号
  • Apolo 11
  • 阿波羅11號
  • Аполлон-11
  • אפולו 11
  • Apollo 11 - de första stegen på månen
  • Tàu Du Hành Vũ Trụ Apollo 11, აპოლო 11
  • อพอลโล 11
+2 more
  • آپولو ۱۱
  • Аполо 11

Seen Apollo 11?

FAQ

Apollo 11 FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Apollo 11, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Apollo 11?

Apollo 11 runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Apollo 11 released?

Apollo 11 was released on March 1, 2019.

Who directed Apollo 11?

Apollo 11 was directed by Todd Douglas Miller.

More films by Todd Douglas Miller

Who is in the cast of Apollo 11?

Apollo 11 stars Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Apollo 11 make at the box office?

Apollo 11 grossed $15.3 million worldwide ($9 million domestic, $6.3 million international).

How is Apollo 11 rated?

Apollo 11 has 8.1/10 on IMDb, 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, 88 on Metacritic and 79% on TMDB.

Was Apollo 11 nominated for any awards?

Apollo 11 received 2 nominations across 2 ceremonies.

Does Apollo 11 have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Apollo 11 has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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