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Close Encounters of the Third Kind movie poster

MOVIE DECISION GUIDE

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

1977 · 2h 17m · Drama · Science Fiction

MOVIHERO READ

Patiently paced science fiction that rewards full attention. Best if you want questions, clues, and reveals pulling you forward.

86/100
WORTH IT

WHAT IT'S ABOUT

After an encounter with UFOs, an electricity linesman feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen.

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86/100
WORTH IT
WORTH ITAfter an encounter with UFOs, an electricity linesman feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen.

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.

BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY

Is Close Encounters of the Third Kind right for tonight?

Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.

How much time should I set aside?

Close Encounters of the Third Kind runs 2h 17m. Allow extra time for breaks.

Is it slow or fast?

The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 4/10: a more patient pace.

Is it a good choice when I am tired?

The attention estimate is 8/10. Consider saving this for a night when you can concentrate.

How emotionally intense is it?

The emotional-impact estimate is 7/10, suggesting a moderate emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.

CHANGE ONE THING

Like this, but...

These share a listed genre with Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.

But shorterEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind2004 · 1h 48m

29 minutes shorter (1h 48m). Shared genre: drama, science fiction.

WHY THIS MIGHT BE FOR YOU

01The setup points to a mystery that asks you to keep track of clues and unanswered questions
02A fuller 137-minute runtime and a more measured watch than a pure momentum movie define the practical movie-night fit
03Its 7.4/10 TMDB audience score across 4,864 votes gives the recommendation a meaningful crowd signal

QUICK DECISION GUIDE

Know the watch before you press play.

A fast read on the experience, then the reasons this movie may or may not fit your night.

01Pacing4/10
02Emotional Impact7/10
03Mind-Bending5/10
04Scary1/10
05Violence2/10
06Rewatchability6/10

PERFECT IF

01you want questions, clues, and reveals to keep pulling you forward
02you are in the mood for a more measured watch than a pure momentum movie
03you are open to a movie with real emotional weight

THINK TWICE IF

01you do not want to spend the night tracking clues or waiting for answers
02you are impatient with measured or slow-building movies
03you need a movie that can work with divided attention

MOVIHERO AUDIENCE VERDICT

Was it worth your time?

Real votes from MoviHero viewers. No imported ratings.

MOVIHERO EDITORIAL

Should you watch Close Encounters of the Third Kind?

Close Encounters of the Third Kind belongs in your night if you want questions, clues, and reveals to keep pulling you forward. It is a more measured watch than a pure momentum movie, with a fuller 137-minute runtime, and the Watch Profile puts attention at 8/10 and emotional impact at 7/10. The overall profile gives it a solid case when that experience matches your mood.

WATCH NOW

Watch Close Encounters of the Third Kind Online

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Availability by JustWatch.

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.

Pacing4/10
Emotional Impact7/10
Mind-Bending5/10
Scary1/10
Violence2/10
Rewatchability6/10
Attention Required8/10
Close Encounters of the Third Kind still

WATCH A PREVIEW

Trailer

A CLOSER LOOK

Stay with the image.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind still 1Close Encounters of the Third Kind still 2Close Encounters of the Third Kind still 3Close Encounters of the Third Kind still 4Close Encounters of the Third Kind still 5

CAST & CREW

The people who make it land.

Steven Spielberg portrait
Steven SpielbergDirector
Richard Dreyfuss portrait
Richard DreyfussRoy Neary
François Truffaut portrait
François TruffautClaude Lacombe
Teri Garr portrait
Teri GarrRonnie Neary
Melinda Dillon portrait
Melinda DillonJillian Guiler
Bob Balaban portrait
Bob BalabanDavid Laughlin
J. Patrick McNamara portrait
J. Patrick McNamaraProject Leader
Warren J. Kemmerling portrait
Warren J. KemmerlingWild Bill
Roberts Blossom portrait
Roberts BlossomFarmer

CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE

Follow the character.

Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.

otherClaude LacombeClaude Lacombe appears in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), portrayed by François Truffaut. This page focuses on that specific screen performance and the movie around it.Open character guide otherRonnie NearyRonnie Neary appears in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), portrayed by Teri Garr. This page focuses on that specific screen performance and the movie around it.Open character guide otherRoy NearyRoy Neary appears in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), portrayed by Richard Dreyfuss. This page focuses on that specific screen performance and the movie around it.Open character guide