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The Right Stuff

Play trailer Poster for The Right Stuff PG 1983 3h 13m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 53 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
This adaptation of the non-fiction novel by Tom Wolfe chronicles the first 15 years of America's space program. By focusing on the lives of the Mercury astronauts, including John Glenn (Ed Harris) and Alan Shepard (Scott Glenn), the film recounts the dangers and frustrations experienced by those involved with NASA's earliest achievements. It also depicts their family lives and the personal crises they endured during an era of great political turmoil and technological innovation.
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The Right Stuff

The Right Stuff

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Critics Consensus

The Right Stuff packs a lot of movie into its hefty running time, spinning a colorful, fact-based story out of consistently engaging characters in the midst of epochal events.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Roeper Chicago Sun-Times Oct 28, 2023
It still thrills with its expert casting and dazzling visuals. Go to Full Review Pauline Kael The New Yorker Sep 13, 2023
The Right Stuff gives off a pleasurable hum: it’s the writer-director Philip Kaufman’s enjoyment of the subject, the actors, and moviemaking itself. Go to Full Review Adam Nayman The Ringer Mar 27, 2020
Where 2001: A Space Odyssey depicted astronauts (and mankind) as being at the mercy of some higher, alien intelligence, The Right Stuff finds its characters imposing their will on the unknown. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Feb 6, 2025
7/10
Informative, straightforward, and an admirable dramatization of a monumental era and program and its key players. Go to Full Review Alan Jones Starburst Aug 1, 2022
This timely delve into the past - warts and all - to uncover the roots of a future we are now participating in has a basic ingredient that so many films lately have lacked. And that is integrity Go to Full Review Taylor Baker Drink in the Movies Sep 1, 2021
90/100
Episode 12: Away We Go Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 19, 2026 The Right Stuff = a *5* star Movie! See more Vincent S @Vin_E_At_The_Movies Aug 6, 2026 A thrilling, funny, fascinating and grand American film, maybe the best ever about America. It starts with one of my favorite performances and characters in Sam Shepard playing Chuck Yeager. Then we get the most fun and exciting history lesson ever in a historical movie. You have incredible special effects for 1983, breathtaking cinematography and outstanding direction. The performances by a cast of standouts, some that were just getting noticed. The 3 hours fly by and this is how you make an epic of stunning quality. See more Ed B. @EdLee May 18, 2026 The Right Stuff, is one of those films that really hits the mark in every way. Starts off with Chuck Yeager and X1 , breaking the sound barrier. Then to the Mercury Program by NASA in early 1960s. Acting is superb, and movie captures the patriotism America had during the time period. Love this movie. See more Meri S. @mschroeder Feb 21, 2026 I’m really not into space travel, but my husband is, so he introduced this movie to me. With that being said this movie gave me an education into the venture the US took into space travel. It’s an epic watch at 3+ hours. Loved ed Harris as John Glenn. See more Jon G @RT43191456 Aug 17, 2025 Still one of the best movies of all time in my opinion. See more Kyle M @RT77296778 Jul 6, 2025 The 80s’ “Apollo 13” just as crowd-pleasing with uplifting sensationalism over stunning imagery backed up by beautifully captivating score to partially express the stellar craftsmanship that transcends its historical facts, aside from how impeccably casted it is to not only solidify the descriptive entertainment value plus bolsters their calibers in appreciation from their respective peaks but also eponymously qualified to be its year’s best. (A-) See more Read all reviews
The Right Stuff

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Cast & Crew

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Philip Kaufman

Director

Sam Shepard

Capt

Scott Glenn

Capt. Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr., Mercury Astronaut

Ed Harris

Maj. John Herschel Glenn Jr., Mercury Astronaut

Dennis Quaid

Gordon Cooper

Fred Ward

Gus Grissom

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The Right Stuff

The Right Stuff (1983) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis This adaptation of the non-fiction novel by Tom Wolfe chronicles the first 15 years of America's space program. By focusing on the lives of the Mercury astronauts, including John Glenn (Ed Harris) and Alan Shepard (Scott Glenn), the film recounts the dangers and frustrations experienced by those involved with NASA's earliest achievements. It also depicts their family lives and the personal crises they endured during an era of great political turmoil and technological innovation.
Director
Philip Kaufman
Producer
Robert Chartoff, Irwin Winkler
Screenwriter
Philip Kaufman, Tom Wolfe
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
The Ladd Company
Rating
PG
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 9, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 15, 2008
Runtime
3h 13m
Sound Mix
Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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