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Explorers

Directed by Joe Dante
PG
1985    1h 49mScience Fiction, Adventure,
6.449%66%6.3
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A boy obsessed with '50s sci-fi movies about aliens has a recurring dream about a blueprint of some kind, which he draws for his inventor friend. With the help of a third kid, they follow it and build themselves a spaceship. Now what?

Where to Watch Explorers

Cast of Explorers

  • Ethan HawkeBen Crandall
  • River PhoenixWolfgang Müller
  • Jason PressonDarren Woods
  • Amanda PetersonLori Swenson
  • Bobby FiteSteve Jackson
  • Dana IveyMrs. Müller
  • James CromwellMr. Müller
  • Dick MillerCharlie Drake
  • Bradley GreggSteve Jackson's Gang
  • Georg OldenSteve Jackson's Gang
  • Chance SchwassSteve Jackson's Gang
  • Meshach TaylorGordon Miller
  • Danny NucciNasty Kid at School
  • Taliesin JaffeLudwig Müller
  • Brooke BundyScience Teacher
  • Tricia BartholomeGirl in Classroom
  • Eric LukeDarren's Teacher / Screenplay
  • Robert PicardoStarkiller / Wak / Wak and Neek's Father
  • Karen Mayo-ChandlerStarkiller's Girlfriend
  • Robert F. BoyleStarkiller's Girlfriend's Father / Production Design

Explorers Ratings & Reviews

  • RichardSeptember 29, 2025
    I first saw Explorers on a rented VHS tape, probably from the corner video store with faded carpet and shelves packed with possibility. That tape had the kind of wear that only comes from being loved by dozens of kids before me and when I popped it into the VCR, I was gone. The first half is pure magic, but the second half gets strange. The movie isn’t perfect. But for anyone who ever dreamed of building something wild in their backyard and launching into the stars, it’s unforgettable.

Watch Explorers Videos

  • Explorers
    ExplorersTrailer

 

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Explorers Trivia

Explorers was released on July 12, 1985.

Explorers was directed by Joe Dante.

Explorers has a runtime of 1 hr 49 min.

Explorers was produced by David Bombyk, Edward S. Feldman.

The key characters in Explorers are Ben Crandall (Ethan Hawke), Wolfgang Müller (River Phoenix), Darren Woods (Jason Presson).

Explorers is rated PG.

Explorers is a Sci-Fi, Adventure, Family film.

Explorers has an audience rating of 6.6 out of 10.

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