The Right Stuff (1983): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
The Right Stuff is a 1983 adventure drama directed by Philip Kaufman, starring Dennis Quaid, Barbara Hershey and Scott Glenn. It runs 3 hours 13 minutes and earned $21.2 million worldwide. It won 4 Oscars, including Film Editing and Music (Original Score). Critics gave it 91 on Metacritic. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 3h 13m (193 min)
- Director
- Philip Kaufman
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Columbia-EMI-Warner
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Right Stuff About?
The premise of The Right Stuff without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This gripping story follows the Mercury Seven, America's first astronauts, as they pioneer the nascent space program. Faced with immense pressure and groundbreaking technological hurdles, test pilots like John Glenn and Alan Shepard push the boundaries of human endurance and risk everything in the name of exploration. The narrative explores their personal lives, intense training, and the political climate surrounding this ambitious endeavor, showcasing both their triumphs and the sacrifices they made during a pivotal moment in history.
The Right Stuff Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- astronaut
- project mercury
- u.s. space program
- earth orbit
- sound barrier
- u.s. air force
- fire
- rivalry
- epic
- u.s. vice president
- space exploration
- naval officer
+38 more Show fewer
- military officer
- marriage
- marine
- male bonding
- scientist
- stuttering
- space race
- airplane accident
- 1950s
- test pilot
- aviation
- cold war
- famous score
- 1960s
- 1940s
- spacecraft
- bar
- based on book
- national film registry
- ticker tape parade
- satellite
- supersonic speed
- mental test
- broomstick
- hatch
- ejected from an airplane
- ambulance
- life magazine
- rocket explosion
- australia
- fighter jet
- cape canaveral florida
- cocoa beach florida
- space adventure
- the white house washington d.c.
- horseback riding
- newsreel footage
- test of physical strength
Where to Watch The Right Stuff
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
The Right Stuff Cast
Dennis Quaid leads the cast, with Barbara Hershey and Scott Glenn. Directed by Philip Kaufman; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Philip Kaufman
Also Starring in The Right Stuff
· 6 moreThe Right Stuff Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Right Stuff 91 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 91 Metascore
User score 8.0
See on Metacritic
The Right Stuff Plot Summary
What happens in The Right Stuff from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Against the backdrop of 1947, a year defined by relentless innovation and extraordinary human resolve, the skies over Muroc Army Air Field in California were rife with tragedy as several test pilots met their fate, their high-flying endeavors culminating in heartbreaking crashes. In this era marked by a fierce desire to defy gravity, a legendary pilot known as Slick Goodlin sought an astonishing $150,000 (roughly $2,047,000 in 2023) to attempt breaking the sound barrier, but his aspirations were soon overshadowed by the arrival of Captain Chuck Yeager, a decorated war hero portrayed by Dennis Quaid, whose ambition to master the skies knew no bounds.
Full summary
The whole story of The Right Stuff, scene by scene
The Right Stuff Box Office
The Right Stuff grossed $21.2 million worldwide. $21.2 million came from the US and Canada and $213 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$21.2M
- US & Canada
- $21.2M
- International
- $213
The Right Stuff Awards & Nominations
The Right Stuff won 4 Oscars, including Film Editing and Music (Original Score). Its biggest night was the Oscars 1984, with 4 wins from 8 nominations.
4 wins10 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Oscars 1984 4 wins · 8 nominations- Won Film Editing
- Won Music (Original Score)
- Won Sound
- Won Sound Effects Editing
- Nominated Actor in a Supporting Role – Sam Shepard
-
DGA Awards 1984 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Film – Philip Kaufman
-
Golden Globes 1984 1 nomination- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Drama
The Right Stuff Trailers & Videos
7 videos: 1 trailer and 6 clips.
- Clip Breath Challenge
- Clip Ejection
- Clip Failed Launches
- Clip Vice President
How Well Do You Know The Right Stuff?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who was the first human to break the sound barrier in the film?
Cars in The Right Stuff
47 cars on screen, including the 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air and the 1957 Chevrolet Two-Ten.
-
1953 Chevrolet Bel Air Important role -
1957 Chevrolet Two-Ten Minor role -
1955 Chrysler Parade Phaeton Minor role -
1939 Dodge Luxury Liner De Luxe Minor role
The Right Stuff Also Known As
33 alternative titles, including “L'etoffe des héros” and “Os Eleitos - Onde o Futuro Começa”.
- Also known as
-
- L'etoffe des héros
- Os Eleitos - Onde o Futuro Começa
- Správní hoši
- 필사의 도전
- De Pure Klasse
- Elegidos para la gloria
- De syv utvalgte
- Mænd af den rette støbning
- Der Stoff, aus dem die Helden sind
- L'Étoffe des héros
- Uomini veri
- Mænd af rette støbning
+21 more Show fewer
- Az igazak
- Boşluktaki Kahramanlar
- 太空先锋
- Οι Κατάλληλοι Ανθρωποι
- Парни что надо
- Os Eleitos
- הצוות המובחר
- Správná posádka
- Os Eleitos: Onde o Futuro Começa
- ライトスタッフ
- Pierwszy krok w kosmos
- Истински неща
- Хлопці що треба
- 太空先鋒
- Rätta virket
- Los elegidos
- Pravi fantje
- Put u svemir
- Valiojoukko, კარგი გუნდი
- Escollits per a la glòria
- วีรบรุษนักบินอวกาศ
Seen The Right Stuff?
Movies Like The Right Stuff
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Real Right Stuff, On the Threshold of Space and Moonshot.
-
The Real Right Stuff 2020 -
On the Threshold of Space 1956 -
Moonshot 2009 -
From the Earth to the Moon 1998 -
The John Glenn Story 1962 -
Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo 2017 -
Apollo 13 1995 -
First Man 2018 -
Edge of Space 2024 -
Apollo 11: First Steps on the Moon 1996 -
Space Cowboys 2000 -
The Starfighters 1964
The Right Stuff FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of The Right Stuff, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Right Stuff?
The Right Stuff runs 3 hours 13 minutes (193 minutes).
When was The Right Stuff released?
The Right Stuff was released on October 21, 1983.
Who directed The Right Stuff?
The Right Stuff was directed by Philip Kaufman.
More films by Philip Kaufman Who is in the cast of The Right Stuff?
The Right Stuff stars Dennis Quaid, Barbara Hershey and Scott Glenn, among 10 credited actors.
Where can I watch The Right Stuff?
In the US, The Right Stuff is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did The Right Stuff make at the box office?
The Right Stuff grossed $21.2 million worldwide ($21.2 million domestic, $213 international).
How is The Right Stuff rated?
The Right Stuff has 91 on Metacritic.
What awards did The Right Stuff win?
The Right Stuff won 4 awards from 10 nominations, including Film Editing at the Oscars 1984.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
