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Biographical drama

First Man (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

First Man (2018) movie poster

First Man is a 2018 biographical drama directed by Damien Chazelle, starring Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong, Claire Foy and Corey Stoll. It runs 2 hours 21 minutes and earned $105.7 million worldwide on a $59 million budget. It won 1 Oscar, including Visual Effects, and 4 awards in all. Critics gave it 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 84 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
87%
worldwide gross
$105.7M
Oscar won
1
Where to watch Watch the trailer
First Man (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 21m (141 min)
Director
Damien Chazelle
Genres
Biography , Drama , History
Original language
English
Studio
Universal Pictures
Budget
$59M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is First Man About?

The premise of First Man without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In the lead-up to the 1969 moon landing, skilled test pilot Neil Armstrong dedicates himself to NASA's ambitious program. He endures rigorous training and perilous test flights, pushing the boundaries of human achievement. The film chronicles his journey and the sacrifices made as he prepares for the historic Apollo 11 mission alongside Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. On July 20, 1969, the world watches as Armstrong takes humanity's first steps on the lunar surface.

First Man Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • moon landing
  • astronaut
  • 1960s
  • rocket
  • grief
  • apollo program
  • loss of child
  • apollo 11
  • moon
  • based on true story
  • lunar mission
  • u.s. space program
+38 more
  • archive footage
  • space race
  • space exploration
  • neil armstrong character
  • outer space
  • male camaraderie
  • lunar landing
  • mission control
  • based on real person
  • buzz aldrin character
  • rocket launching
  • project gemini
  • rocket science
  • docking in outer space
  • death of child
  • death of daughter
  • year 1965
  • year 1969
  • husband wife relationship
  • marriage
  • loss of daughter
  • flight simulator
  • human in outer space
  • spaceflight
  • space mission
  • space travel
  • spacecraft
  • spacesuit
  • political protest
  • travel to the moon
  • moon walk
  • training facility
  • press conference
  • footprint
  • death of a friend
  • loss of friend
  • apollo 1
  • death of friend
Where to watch

Where to Watch First Man

Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Rent or buy 5

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

First Man Cast & Characters

Ryan Gosling leads the cast as Neil Armstrong, with Claire Foy as Janet Armstrong and Corey Stoll as Buzz Aldrin. Directed by Damien Chazelle; 19 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in First Man

· 15 more
Ratings

First Man Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave First Man 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 84 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

80 /100

First Man Echo Score Breakdown

First Man demonstrates notable strengths in visual design and immersive spectacle, anchored by thoughtful direction and production craft. The character portrayals are subtle yet engaging, driven by Gosling’s restraint and Foy’s emotional warmth. The narrative balances personal tragedy with methodical mission sequences, resulting in measured pacing. Sensory elements stand out, though the deliberate rhythm tempers rewatch appeal. Net, the film offers a compelling viewing experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    The film excels in its visual craftsmanship, particularly its cinematography and production design. In terms of direction, Chazelle utilizes varied formats—16mm, 35mm and IMAX 70mm—to heighten immersion, supported by crisp editing and grounded lighting. The space sequences are staged with precise framing and visual cohesion. Overall, the artistic elements deliver a compelling visual experience.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character depth, the performances are consistently nuanced and emotionally resonant. Gosling’s reserved portrayal of Neil Armstrong is balanced by Foy’s empathetic turn, which anchors the interpersonal drama. Supporting roles contribute additional texture, even as some moments emphasize stoicism over accessibility. Net, the acting elevates the film’s human dimension.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of plot coherence, First Man adopts a straightforward structure that emphasizes personal trials over political context. The narrative interweaves the protagonist’s family tragedy with mission milestones, creating emotional stakes. Pacing is measured, though a midsection focused on briefings can feel deliberate. Ultimately, the story engages through its intimate approach more than through high drama.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    Regarding sensory experience, the score and sound design combine to heighten tension, especially during cockpit scenes. The soundtrack’s theremin motifs and pounding sound effects underscore the film’s outward thrust, while visual style remains consistent from quiet interiors to lunar vistas. Viewing in IMAX further amplifies the immersive quality. Overall, the sensory elements are a standout.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    For rewatch value, the film offers striking visual moments and emotional undercurrents that encourage a second viewing. The meticulous production detail and sequences of low-gravity simulation retain their impact on subsequent viewings. However, its deliberate pacing and inward focus may limit its appeal for frequent revisits. Net, the replay potential is modest but notable.

Plot

First Man Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in First Man 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 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1961, NASA test pilot Neil Armstrong takes to the skies in the X-15 rocket plane. He skillfully pushes the aircraft to the edge of space, reaching an impressive altitude of 140,000 feet, highlighting the challenges of winged flight in the realm beyond our atmosphere. However, during his return, he inadvertently encounters turbulence at 115,000 feet. Displaying remarkable composure under pressure, he utilizes the Thrusters to flip the plane upside down, leveraging the momentum from the maneuver to safely re-enter the atmosphere. Although he manages to land firmly in the Mojave Desert, concerns arise among his peers about his recent string of mishaps—three incidents in the span of just a month—which they believe stem from personal distractions, leading to his temporary grounding.

Full summary

The whole story of First Man, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

First Man Box Office & Budget

First Man grossed $105.7 million worldwide on a $59 million budget, 1.8 times what it cost. $44.9 million came from the US and Canada and $60.8 million (57%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$105.7M

1.8× its budget

US & Canada
$44.9M
International
$60.8M
Budget
$59M
US & Canada 43% Rest of the world 57%
Awards

First Man Awards & Nominations

First Man won 1 Oscar, including Visual Effects, and 4 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Critics' Choice 2019, with 2 wins from 10 nominations.

4 wins23 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

First Man Trailers & Videos

13 videos: 3 trailers, 2 teasers, 3 clips and 5 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 13 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer #2
  • Trailer Official Trailer #3
  • Teaser TV Spot 1
  • Teaser TV Spot 2
Quiz

How Well Do You Know First Man?

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 year does Neil Armstrong pilot the X-15 craft?
Cars

Cars in First Man

15 cars on screen, including the 1962 Chevrolet Impala and the 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air.

All 15 cars
  • 1962 Chevrolet Impala in First Man 1962 Chevrolet Impala Important role
  • 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air in First Man 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air Minor role
  • 1955 Dodge C-3 in First Man 1955 Dodge C-3 Minor role
  • 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 in First Man 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Minor role
Details

First Man Also Known As

40 alternative titles, including “第一人” and “El Primer Hombre”.

Also known as
  • 第一人
  • El Primer Hombre
  • มนุษย์คนแรกบนดวงจันทร์
  • اولین مرد
  • ファースト・マン
  • Pierwszy człowiek
  • Առաջին Մարդը
  • 퍼스트 맨
  • First Man - Il primo uomo
  • First Man - Le Premier Homme sur la Lune
  • Aufbruch zum Mond
  • Първият човек
+28 more
  • Человек на Луне
  • First Man (El primer hombre)
  • Ay'da İlk İnsan
  • 퍼스트맨
  • Перша людина
  • Ο Πρώτος Άνθρωπος
  • 登月第一人
  • Az Első ember
  • O Primeiro Homem
  • První člověk
  • האדם הראשון
  • O Primeiro Homem na Lua
  • Ensimmäisenä kuussa
  • Први човек на месецу
  • Prvý človek
  • 登月先鋒
  • Primul om pe Lună
  • El primer hombre en la Luna
  • Le premier homme
  • Pirmasis žmogus
  • Prvi čovjek
  • Bước Chân Đầu Tiên
  • Pirmais cilvēks uz Mēness
  • Birinchi Odam
  • Prvi človek
  • نخستین انسان
  • El primer home, პირველი ადამიანი მთვარეზე
  • Esimene inimene

Seen First Man?
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Movies Like First Man

Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Apollo 11: First Steps on the Moon, Moonshot and Apollo 11.

FAQ

First Man FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of First Man, each answered in a sentence.

How long is First Man?

First Man runs 2 hours 21 minutes (141 minutes).

When was First Man released?

First Man was released on October 12, 2018.

Who directed First Man?

First Man was directed by Damien Chazelle.

More films by Damien Chazelle

Who is in the cast of First Man?

First Man stars Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong, Claire Foy as Janet Armstrong and Corey Stoll as Buzz Aldrin, among 19 credited actors.

Where can I watch First Man?

In the US, First Man is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did First Man make at the box office?

First Man grossed $105.7 million worldwide ($44.9 million domestic, $60.8 million international) on a budget of $59 million.

How is First Man rated?

First Man has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

What awards did First Man win?

First Man won 4 awards from 23 nominations, including Best Editing at the Critics' Choice 2019.

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