Top 10 space movies and shows to binge now as Axiom 4 makes history
The world's watching as NASA streams live coverage of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a private spaceflight to the International Space Station. With astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary onboard, it marks the first major government-backed human spaceflights for these nations in over 40 years. India's Shubhanshu Shukla, who is in the pilot seat, becomes only the second Indian to head to space after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission. NASA's handling the integrated ops this time.
Missions like Axiom Mission 4 have been imagined and reimagined on the big screen for decades. Here's a quick binge list of top-rated space films and series that've nailed the vibe.
For years, this Stanley Kubrick directorial has stayed a fan favourite among science buffs for its philosophically dense tone. Released in 1968, the film took inspiration from several short stories and delivered some of the most visually stunning scenes ever made. It explores the themes of human evolution, artificial intelligence (hello, HAL 9000), and extraterrestrial life. With its slow pacing, minimal dialogue, and on-point storytelling, it's still considered one of the most scientifically accurate depictions of life in space.
This Christopher Nolan masterpiece remains a hit even a decade after its release. The film has an emotionally loaded theme of humanity's desperate search for a home beyond Earth, as the current one falls apart. With a stellar cast including Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, and Jessica Chastain, it blends sci-fi concepts, wormholes, black holes, time dilation, with love, sacrifice, and spirit to explore something bigger.
Also read: Axiom-4 Mission: What Shubhanshu Shukla's trip to ISS means for India's space program
The Martian (2015)
The Ridley Scott directorial looks at space life from a pretty interesting angle. It tells the story of an astronaut named Mark who's assumed dead and left behind on Mars. From there, it's all about survival, pure grit against the odds. The film stars Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Kristen Wiig, among others. It was also praised for its scientific accuracy (at least within the frame of its fiction) and is based on the 2011 novel by Andy Weir.
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, who also wrote, edited, and produced it, Gravity stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in the lead. It follows two astronauts stranded in space after their shuttle gets destroyed. Shot on a $100 million budget, the film raked in over $723 million worldwide. It beautifully portrays the raw beauty and brutal silence of space while drilling into survival, isolation, and just how far humans will go when everything's falling apart.
Adam Sandler's new space sci-fi on Netflix is adapted from the 2017 novel Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfař. The movie also stars Carey Mulligan, Kunal Nayyar, Lena Olin, Isabella Rossellini, and Paul Dano in key roles. If you're into space theories, this one's for you. The story follows an astronaut sent on a mission to the far edge of the solar system, where he runs into a strange creature that ends up helping him solve mysteries of the universe, and somehow, his messed-up relationship with his wife.
Also read: Shubhanshu Shukla's space odyssey: A glimpse into what the future holds for India
Made by Ronald D. Moore and Matt Wolpert, For All Mankind is available to stream on Apple TV+. The show explores the possibility of an alternate history. 'What would have happened if the global space race had never ended?' It imagines a world where space exploration never stopped, especially after the Soviet Union became the first to land a man on the Moon. The series explores how one twist changes everything, from geopolitics to technology, to the world we live in today.
Directed by Ron Howard, it's an American documentary drama with Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, and Gary Sinise in lead roles. The film is based on the true story of Apollo 13 which was on a lunar mission in 1970. It does its best to capture the pressure faced by both the astronauts and the NASA ground crew, working against the clock to bring the damaged spacecraft and it crew safely back home. The film is adapted from the 1994 book Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13 by astronaut Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger, and was praised for its historical accuracy.
Directed by Ridley Scott, Alien might be science fiction horror, but there's no doubt it changed the whole game for the creature genre. The story follows a spacecraft crew that comes across a damaged ship and ends up having a terrifying encounter with a highly aggressive extraterrestrial creature. H.R. Giger's design is still considered one of the most horrifying ever made, and the film itself is praised for its claustrophobic tension. It also gave Sigourney Weaver her breakthrough role.
If you are a fan of time travel and space genre, this Dutch film will take you on a wild ride. Set in 2050, Earth is on the brink of collapse, and a catastrophic event is about to end humanity for good. A 37-year-old astronaut time travels 25 years back to fix the problem. But she ends up in her 12-year-old self's body. With no time to waste, she teams up with a kid named Nas to take down the man behind the mess: the one pushing global warming.
The Expanse (TV Series)
The Expanse was made exclusively for the Syfy network by Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby. The series is based on the novel series by James Corey. Apart from space adventure, the film also explores the complex political landscape, science, and characters that feel like they've lived in that world forever. The story is set in the future, where humanity has already taken over the solar system and now runs through three major powers, the United Nations of Earth and Luna, the Martian Congressional Republic, and the Outer Planets Alliance (OPA).
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India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
'Gajar ka halwa aur aamras lekar aaya hoon': Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla carries India's spirit to space
'Gajar ka halwa aur aamras lekar aaya hoon': Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla carries India's spirit to space In a truly historic moment for India, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). He is now the second Indian ever to go to space, and his achievement has made the entire country proud. While orbiting 400 kilometres above Earth, Captain Shukla had a live video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The conversation was full of warmth and emotion and was watched by people all over the country. 'India look bigger than the map' One of the most touching things Captain Shukla said during the chat was: 'When I saw India from space, it looked much bigger than how it appears on the map.' This simple line moved many people. From space, there are no borders or divisions, just one land, one country, one identity. It was a powerful moment showing how far India has come. A New chapter for India PM Modi praised Shukla for making history and said that his journey marks the beginning of a new era for India in space. 'Even your name has 'shubh' (auspicious) in it, and your journey is a 'shubh aarambh' (a good start) to a new age,' the Prime Minister said. He also added with emotion: 'Right now, 140 crore Indians are feeling proud and connected to you. I am not speaking to you just as a Prime Minister, but as a voice for every Indian's pride and hope.' A Dream Come True Captain Shukla, calm and smiling from the ISS, replied: 'I'm safe, healthy, and thankful to be here. This is the start of a new era for India.' He also shared that he never imagined going to space would be possible for him. 'But under your leadership, India has not only learned to dream big but also found the courage to make those dreams come true.' Gajar Ka Halwa Travels to the ISS In the middle of a historic space mission, there was a warm and unexpected surprise aboard the spacecraft: gajar ka halwa, India's famous carrot dessert, along with aamras (mango pulp). Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, speaking with a smile, said: 'I brought gajar ka halwa and aamras with me… it's not just about taste, it's a piece of home and memories.' 'Main gajar ka halwa aur aamras lekar aaya hoon… yeh sirf swaad nahi, yeh ghar ki yaadon ka ek hissa hai,' Captain Shukla said in Hindi. This small but heartfelt gesture brought a bit of Indian culture and comfort to space. His fellow astronauts, Peggy Whitson from the US, Sawosz Uznanski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary — got their first taste of Indian hospitality, floating 400 km above Earth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, clearly pleased by the gesture, praised the cultural moment and gently reminded Captain Shukla of the great responsibility he carries, representing India not just in science, but in spirit. (With IANS inputs)
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
When a U.S. shuttle docked with a Russian space station
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New Indian Express
an hour ago
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'I am absorbing every knowledge like a sponge for India's upcoming space missions': Shubhanshu Shukla tells PM Modi
PM: Shubhanshu, parikrama (circumambulation) is an age-old practice in India. You have got the privilege to circumambulate the Earth. At this moment, which part of the Earth are you over? Shubhanshu: At present, I cannot tell exactly, but sometime back we were crossing over Hawaii. We go around the Earth 16 times a day. We see 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets in one day from orbit. It is astonishing. I am moving at a speed of 28,000 km per hour as I speak to you. We do not feel this speed inside the International Space Station, but in some way, this speed reflects the pace at which our country is moving forward. I am here now, but we have to go even further. PM: Looking at the vastness of space, what was the first thought that came to your mind? Shubhanshu: The first time we reached orbit, the first thing I saw was the Earth. Looking at it from space, the first thought that came to my mind was that the Earth looks like one—there are no visible borders. When we study India on the map, we see a particular size, but that is not accurate. On paper, in 2D or 3D, it seems smaller. From space, India actually looks much grander and bigger than what we see on the map. The feeling of oneness, our motto Anekta mein Ekta (unity in diversity), is truly understood from space. There are no countries, no states, no borders—we are all part of humanity. The Earth is one life, and we are all its citizens. PM: Shubhanshu, you are the first Indian to enter the ISS. You have undergone extensive training for this. But now, in reality, how different is the situation there? How are you adapting to it? Shubhanshu: Everything is different here. We did year-long training. I learnt about all the systems, processes, and experiments. But once we landed here, everything suddenly changed. Our bodies are so used to gravity that our entire way of functioning is based on it. But after arriving here, with no gravity, even the smallest things become difficult. I have strapped my feet to the chair to sit and talk to you; otherwise, I would be floating. Since everything keeps floating, we have to secure all items. Drinking water, walking, and sleeping are big challenges. You can sleep on the ceiling, the walls, the floor—anywhere. We know all this, the training has been good, but when the environment changes, it takes a couple of days to adapt. PM: India's strength is both science and spirituality. While you are in space, I know India is flying in your heart too. Does meditation and mindfulness help in such an environment? Shubhanshu: I completely agree with you. I believe that India is already on the move. This mission is just the first step in that grand journey. We are working towards building our own space station, and many Indians will visit it in the future. Mindfulness plays a major role here. There are many stressful situations even during normal training, and mindfulness helps us stay calm. When you are calm, you can make better decisions. People say you can't eat while running—so the more calm you remain, the better decisions you can make. Mindfulness is crucial here. If you develop both scientific discipline and mindfulness, you can adapt very quickly in such challenging environments. PM: You are conducting many experiments in space. Is there any experiment that could benefit the agricultural or health sector in the future? Shubhanshu: I can proudly say that Indian scientists have designed seven unique experiments that I've brought with me to the ISS. The first one, which I will be conducting as per schedule on Saturday, is on stem cells. In zero gravity, muscles tend to degrade faster. Through this experiment, I am trying to understand whether supplements can prevent or delay muscle loss. This has direct relevance for people on Earth, especially the elderly who suffer from muscle loss. Another experiment I am working on involves growing microalgae. These are very small but highly nutritious. We are studying their growth in space to see if they can be cultivated in large quantities to address nutrition and food security issues on Earth. The big advantage in space is that these processes happen much faster—we don't have to wait for months or years. PM: After the success of the Chandrayaan mission, a new interest has emerged among the children and youth of India. Their determination to explore space has grown. Your historic journey has now further strengthened this resolve. Today, children don't just look at the sky—they dream of reaching it. This mentality and spirit are the true foundation of India's future space missions. What message would you like to give the youth of India? Shubhanshu: If I could send one message to the youth of India, I would say: India is moving forward boldly and dreaming big. To fulfil these dreams, we need all of you. Success doesn't have just one path—each person can take a different route. But what is common to every path is this: never stop trying. If you make this your motto—that you will never give up, no matter what path you choose—success will surely follow. PM: I am sure all Indians will be inspired by your words. You know me well—I always give homework! We have to take forward the Gaganyaan mission, build our own space station, and land an Indian astronaut on the moon. Your experience will be invaluable for these missions. I hope you are recording all your experiences. Shubhanshu: Yes, I am absorbing all the lessons I learnt during the training and everything I am experiencing on this mission. I am sure these learnings will prove very useful for our future missions. The people here with me have asked when we can go on the Gaganyaan mission. I felt proud to say—very soon. The lessons I am learning here will help us complete our missions quickly and successfully. PM: I am sure your message will inspire everyone. When we met before your mission, I also met your family. I could see how emotional and proud they were. I have thoroughly enjoyed speaking with you. I know you have a lot of work to do—and you have to work at 28,000 kmph! (smiles) So I won't take much of your time. But I can confidently say this is the first step towards the success of India's Gaganyaan mission. Your historic journey is not just limited to space—it will accelerate India's journey towards Viksit Bharat (Developed India). India is about to open new opportunities for the world in the space sector. Now India will not just fly—it will create its own launch and landing platforms. I am eager to hear anything else you would like to share. Shubhanshu: I have learnt a lot during this journey to space—from the training to actually reaching here. Although this is a personal achievement, it is truly a collective achievement for the entire country. I would like to tell every child and every young person: If you strive to build a good future for yourself, you are building a good future for the country. Always remember: The sky is never the limit—not for me and not for India. If you always carry this belief, you and the country will shine bright. I am very emotional, happy, and proud to speak to you and, through you, to all Indians. The tricolour you see behind me was not there when I arrived yesterday—it has now been put up for the first time since I came here. This makes me very emotional and proud—India has reached the ISS. PM: I wish you and the entire team all the very best for the success of your mission. We are all waiting for your safe return. Take care of yourself and continue to take India's glory to greater heights. Best wishes from all Indians—and thank you for your efforts and dedication to take India to space. Shubhanshu: Thank you to all Indians from space—Bharat Mata ki Jai!
