The mysteries of the universe consistently attract interest, inspiring Hollywood to create numerous space-themed films. In late March, *Project Hail Mary*, starring Ryan Gosling, became one of the year's top-grossing films. Following this, on 1/4, NASA launched its Artemis II rocket, aiming to return humans to the Moon after over 50 years.

Amidst these events, film specialist site Rotten Tomatoes has highlighted a series of works depicting journeys of exploration in zero-gravity environments, celebrating human resilience under harsh conditions.

1. Gravity (2013)

Alfonso Cuaron's film transforms a survival story into an emotional experience, placing human loneliness and fragility within the vastness of space. Through astronauts Ryan (Sandra Bullock) and Matt (George Clooney)'s journey back to Earth after their ship is damaged, *Gravity* depicts fear, loss, and the human effort to be reborn. The project grossed over USD 700 million and won seven out of 10 Oscar nominations. According to Rotten Tomatoes, critics rate the film as intense, with solid direction and impressive visuals.

2. Project Hail Mary (2026)

Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the film follows Ryland Grace, a molecular biologist who leaves research to teach, becoming embroiled in a mission to save the world after the Sun's energy is drained by alien microbes.

Despite its dramatic premise, the film adopts an entertainment-oriented tone, appealing to a broad audience. The screenplay uses an interweaving structure of present and past, revealing the cause of the disaster and clarifying the character's psychological transformation. A major highlight is Ryan Gosling's performance. With his charm and ability to control pacing, he masters the character's emotions, keeping the film's narrative flowing.

3. WALL-E (2008)

This film is set on an Earth abandoned due to waste and consumerism, emphasizing human responsibility towards the environment. The film's strength lies in its storytelling, which conveys emotion without much dialogue. Its visuals, music, and character design make the film easy for children to watch, yet deep enough for adults to ponder. *WALL-E* is considered one of Pixar's outstanding works, winning an Oscar for best animated feature and grossing approximately USD 521,3 million globally.

4. Apollo 13 (1995)

Director Ron Howard's film is one of the most famous space films, recreating the true story of the 1970 Apollo 13 mission. During its journey to the Moon, the spacecraft experienced a serious malfunction, putting the three astronauts in a dangerous situation and forcing them to find a way to survive and return to Earth.

The plot builds with increasing tension, revolving around a race against time to resolve the issue and ensure the crew's safety. With consultation from NASA, the film recreates technical details with relative accuracy, while portraying the pressure and intense atmosphere of a space mission.

5. The Martian (2015)

Ridley Scott's film stands out by transforming a survival story on Mars into a tribute to human intellect, calmness, and optimism. Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) embodies a never-give-up spirit, proactively solving problems and transforming crises into manageable challenges. The film maintains an accessible narrative pace, avoiding the heaviness of many films in the genre, yet ensures emotional and scientific credibility.

6. Moon (2009)

Duncan Jones' film uses a Moon setting to raise questions about identity, isolation, and humanity. The screenplay centers on Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), who operates a helium mining station, discovering he is just one of many clones of the original.

The film evokes feelings of doubt about identity and existence, transforming a science fiction story into a psychological exploration. The team chose a minimalist storytelling approach, not relying on action or special effects but focusing on the chilling atmosphere, slow pacing, and Sam Rockwell's performance.

7. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this film is one of the most valuable science fiction works in world cinema. The film uses a journey to Jupiter to ponder existentialism, human evolution, and artificial intelligence. Released three years before Salyut 1, the first space station, was successfully launched into orbit, the project demonstrated a vision ahead of its time, winning an Oscar for best visual effects. The film's influence is reflected in many subsequent works, such as *Alien*, *Blade Runner*, and *Contact*.

8. First Man (2018)

Damien Chazelle's film tells the story of Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) from his early days as an astronaut to becoming the first person to walk on the Moon in 1969. The content portrays Armstrong as a private man, burdened by loss and loneliness. Through this, *First Man* emphasizes the pain, perseverance, and cost of ambition rather than simply celebrating the Moon landing. The work is highly praised for its direction and performances by Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy, and it won an Oscar for best visual effects.

9. Ad Astra (2019)

James Gray's film uses a journey into space to reflect on loneliness, family trauma, and the human need for connection. Rotten Tomatoes notes the film is visually striking, raising questions about emotional voids and family legacies. Brad Pitt's performance plays a crucial role, moving viewers in the latter half of the film. Independent called his role in *Ad Astra* one of the actor's best performances to date.

10. High Life (2018)

Claire Denis' experimental film follows a group of prisoners sent on a space mission towards a black hole, starring Robert Pattinson and Juliette Binoche. The filmmaker delves into feelings of loneliness and the relationship between love and survival. In the film, space becomes a test of human morality and instinct when separated from societal norms. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics describe *High Life* as visually impressive, challenging viewers with its artistic storytelling.

Additionally, other notable films include:

11. Sunshine (2007)

12. Interstellar (2014)

13. Prometheus (2012)

14. Silent Running (1972)

15. Life (2017)

16. Solaris (2002)

17. Armageddon (1998)

18. Event Horizon (1997)

19. Passengers (2016)

20. Mission to Mars (2000)

21. Red Planet (2000)

Cat Tien (according to Rotten Tomatoes)