2001: A Space Odyssey movie poster

MOVIE DECISION GUIDE

2001: A Space Odyssey

1968 · 2h 29m · Adventure · Science Fiction · Mystery

MOVIHERO READ

Steady science fiction with a balanced watch profile. Best if you want questions, clues, and reveals pulling you forward.

91/100

MUST WATCH

WHAT IT'S ABOUT

Humanity finds a mysterious object buried beneath the lunar surface and sets off to find its origins with the help of HAL 9000, the world's most advanced super computer.

Watch Now Watch trailer

91/100

MUST WATCH

MUST WATCHHumanity finds a mysterious object buried beneath the lunar surface and sets off to find its origins with the help of HAL 9000, the world's most advanced super computer.

MAKE THE CALL

Does this belong in your night?

A decision, not a review. Choose the kind of night you want and keep your queue honest.

WHY THIS MIGHT BE FOR YOU

01The setup points to a mystery that asks you to keep track of clues and unanswered questions

02A substantial 149-minute commitment and a fairly steady watch with good forward movement define the practical movie-night fit

03Its 8.0/10 TMDB audience score across 12,923 votes gives the recommendation a meaningful crowd signal

MOVIHERO EDITORIAL

Should you watch 2001: A Space Odyssey?

2001: A Space Odyssey belongs in your night if you want questions, clues, and reveals to keep pulling you forward. It is a fairly steady watch with good forward movement, with a substantial 149-minute commitment, and the Watch Profile puts attention at 7/10 and emotional impact at 4/10. The signals are strong enough to make this one of the easier calls in the queue.

WATCH NOW

Watch 2001: A Space Odyssey

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PERFECT IF

01you want questions, clues, and reveals to keep pulling you forward

02you want a fairly steady watch with good forward movement rather than something deliberately slow

03you are ready to give the movie your full attention

THINK TWICE IF

01you do not want to spend the night tracking clues or waiting for answers

02you do not have room for a 149-minute movie tonight

03you are looking for a very different genre experience

WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE

Watch Profile

Seven signals for the experience itself — from the pace of the night to how much attention it asks from you.

Pacing7/10

Emotional Impact4/10

Mind-Bending7/10

Scary1/10

Violence2/10

Rewatchability7/10

Attention Required7/10

2001: A Space Odyssey still

WATCH A PREVIEW

Trailer

A CLOSER LOOK

Stay with the image.

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CAST & CREW

The people who make it land.

Stanley Kubrick portrait

Stanley KubrickDirector

Keir Dullea portrait

Keir DulleaDr. David Bowman

Gary Lockwood portrait

Gary LockwoodDr. Frank Poole

William Sylvester portrait

William SylvesterDr. Heywood Floyd

Douglas Rain portrait

Douglas RainHAL 9000 (voice)

Daniel Richter portrait

Daniel RichterMoonwatcher

Leonard Rossiter portrait

Leonard RossiterDr. Andrei Smyslov

Margaret Tyzack portrait

Margaret TyzackElena

Robert Beatty portrait

Robert BeattyDr. Ralph Halvorsen

Sean Sullivan portrait

Sean SullivanDr. Roy Michaels