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Documentary

Spaceship Earth (2020): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Spaceship Earth (2020) movie poster

Spaceship Earth is a 2020 documentary directed by Matt Wolf, starring Jane Goodall, Linda Leigh and John Allen. It runs 1 hour 53 minutes and earned $362 worldwide. Critics gave it 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
87%
worldwide gross
$362
Echo Score
80
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Spaceship Earth (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 53m (113 min)
Director
Matt Wolf
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
Studio
Neon
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Spaceship Earth About?

The premise of Spaceship Earth without spoilers.

In 1991, eight individuals volunteered for a groundbreaking experiment: to live for two years within Biosphere 2, a closed ecological system designed to mimic Earth. As the outside world faced environmental challenges, this isolated group encountered increasing criticism and intense public scrutiny. Despite the controversy, their experience ultimately became a remarkable demonstration of human adaptability and innovation, offering a hopeful vision for a sustainable future.

Spaceship Earth Themes & Keywords

· 28 tags
  • giant
  • year 1991
  • san francisco california
  • year 1966
  • reference to harvard university
  • year 1969
  • new mexico
  • reference to william s. burroughs
  • reference to buckminster fuller
  • shipbuilding
  • year 1990
  • botanist
+16 more
  • biosphere 2
  • severed fingertip
  • thresher
  • birthday cake
  • year 1994
  • what happened to epilogue
  • bare chested male
  • speedo
  • man wears a swimsuit
  • bio dome
  • biosphere
  • arizona
  • arizona desert
  • reference to arizona
  • 1990s
  • group
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Cast & crew

Spaceship Earth Cast

Jane Goodall leads the cast, with Linda Leigh and John Allen. Directed by Matt Wolf; 5 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Spaceship Earth

· 1 more
From the director

More from Matt Wolf

More films directed by Matt Wolf, best-rated first: Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project, Teenage, Bayard & Me and It’s Me, Hilary: The Man Who Drew Eloise.

Full filmography
Ratings

Spaceship Earth Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Spaceship Earth 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (82) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).

80 /100

Spaceship Earth Echo Score Breakdown

The film delivers an engaging exploration of the Biosphere 2 project, combining ambition with reflective commentary. It consistently draws praise for its imaginative presentation and refined storytelling techniques. Several responses note the film’s uneven pacing and occasional gaps in logistical detail. Viewers highlight its emotional resonance and timely relevance to environmental concerns. While the documentary succeeds in offering a vivid and thought-provoking account, it can feel incomplete in certain narrative aspects.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the documentary exhibits thoughtful composition and coherent editing, though occasional stylistic simplicity is evident. Observations of refined shot selection and balanced framing support the sense of deliberate design. At times, the rudimentary visual transitions and basic production techniques limit the immersive potential. Overall, the craft remains solid but restrained.

  • Character & Emotion 82

    In terms of character and emotion, the documentary conveys strong passion and idealism through intimate interviews and archival testimony. Several notes highlight compelling portraits of visionary individuals balanced by candid acknowledgement of their human flaws. Some accounts suggest a lack of deeper background context for certain participants. Overall, character portrayal remains engaging and authentic.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of story and flow, the film offers an original examination of the Biosphere 2 experiment with generally measured pacing. Many accounts praise the engaging combination of historical context and dramatic tension. Critics note occasional structural omissions and uneven transitions that disrupt narrative coherence. Overall, the storyline is compelling but could benefit from tighter organization.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the film delivers a coherent visual style complemented by an understated soundtrack. Observers remark on the visceral impact of immersive archival sequences and consistent audio balance. Some commentary points to moments of plainness in sound design that reduce dynamism. Overall, the sensory presentation remains effective even when occasionally modest.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers thematic richness and timely relevance that encourage additional viewings. Viewers appreciate the layered archival material and reflective insights into idealism and scientific ambition. Occasional narrative omissions and pacing unevenness may reduce eagerness for repeated playbacks. Overall, the documentary retains lasting appeal, even if rewatch interest varies.

Box office

Spaceship Earth Box Office

Spaceship Earth grossed $362 worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$362

International
$362
Videos

Spaceship Earth Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Spaceship Earth.

Spaceship Earth. Official Trailer. Launching Everywhere May 8.
Details

Spaceship Earth Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “Космический корабль Земля” and “Misión Planeta Tierra”.

Also known as
  • Космический корабль Земля
  • Misión Planeta Tierra
  • Missão Planeta Terra
  • Erdvėlaivis Žemė
  • Planeta 2.0
  • Uzay Gemisi Dünya
  • Космічний корабель Земля
  • Проект «Самоизоляция»
  • 地球太空船
  • חללית כדור הארץ
  • 지구우주선 1991

Seen Spaceship Earth?

FAQ

Spaceship Earth FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Spaceship Earth?

Spaceship Earth runs 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes).

When was Spaceship Earth released?

Spaceship Earth was released on May 8, 2020.

Who directed Spaceship Earth?

Spaceship Earth was directed by Matt Wolf.

More films by Matt Wolf

Who is in the cast of Spaceship Earth?

Spaceship Earth stars Jane Goodall, Linda Leigh and John Allen, among 5 credited actors.

How much did Spaceship Earth make at the box office?

Spaceship Earth grossed $362 worldwide.

How is Spaceship Earth rated?

Spaceship Earth has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Spaceship Earth have a post-credit scene?

No. Spaceship Earth has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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