Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Contact

  • 1997
  • PG
  • 2h 30m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
306K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,242
36
Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey in Contact (1997)
Blu-Ray trailer for this science fiction film starring Jodie Foster
Play trailer0:32
3 Videos
99+ Photos
Psychological DramaPsychological ThrillerSci-Fi EpicSpace Sci-FiTragedyWorkplace DramaDramaMysterySci-FiThriller

Dr. Ellie Arroway, after years of searching, finds conclusive radio proof of extraterrestrial intelligence, sending plans for a mysterious machine.Dr. Ellie Arroway, after years of searching, finds conclusive radio proof of extraterrestrial intelligence, sending plans for a mysterious machine.Dr. Ellie Arroway, after years of searching, finds conclusive radio proof of extraterrestrial intelligence, sending plans for a mysterious machine.

  • Director
    • Robert Zemeckis
  • Writers
    • James V. Hart
    • Michael Goldenberg
    • Carl Sagan
  • Stars
    • Jodie Foster
    • Matthew McConaughey
    • Tom Skerritt
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    306K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,242
    36
    • Director
      • Robert Zemeckis
    • Writers
      • James V. Hart
      • Michael Goldenberg
      • Carl Sagan
    • Stars
      • Jodie Foster
      • Matthew McConaughey
      • Tom Skerritt
    • 830User reviews
    • 90Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 14 wins & 32 nominations total

    Videos3

    Contact
    Trailer 0:32
    Contact
    Contact
    Trailer 0:31
    Contact
    Contact
    Trailer 0:31
    Contact
    5 Unforgettable Jodie Foster Performances to Watch
    Clip 1:01
    5 Unforgettable Jodie Foster Performances to Watch

    Photos129

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 124
    View Poster

    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Jodie Foster
    Jodie Foster
    • Ellie Arroway
    Matthew McConaughey
    Matthew McConaughey
    • Palmer Joss
    Tom Skerritt
    Tom Skerritt
    • David Drumlin
    John Hurt
    John Hurt
    • S.R. Hadden
    Jena Malone
    Jena Malone
    • Young Ellie
    David Morse
    David Morse
    • Ted Arroway
    Geoffrey Blake
    Geoffrey Blake
    • Fisher
    William Fichtner
    William Fichtner
    • Kent
    SaMi Chester
    • Vernon
    Timothy McNeil
    Timothy McNeil
    • Davio
    Laura Elena Surillo
    • Cantina Woman
    Henry Strozier
    Henry Strozier
    • Minister
    Max Martini
    Max Martini
    • Willie
    • (as Maximilian Martini)
    Larry King
    Larry King
    • Larry King
    Thomas Garner
    Thomas Garner
    • Ian Broderick
    Conroy Chino
    • KOB-TV Reporter
    Dan Gifford
    • Jeremy Roth
    James Woods
    James Woods
    • Michael Kitz
    • Director
      • Robert Zemeckis
    • Writers
      • James V. Hart
      • Michael Goldenberg
      • Carl Sagan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews830

    7.5306.4K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    10ada-p

    Diamond in the Rough

    So many movies out there are pure drivel. They use sex, or shock, or sex to sell two hours of something that in no way contributes to our existence; be it inspiration, knowledge or spiritual awakening.

    Contact is an exceptional example of a movie that DESERVES to exist. From the spectactular beginning shot that shows us just how small we are in a world that once thought the universe was made for, and around, mankind; to its realistic conclusion that any X-Phile would expect to happen: this movie appeals to our humanity, intelligence and sense of adventure.

    One of the greatest realisations that the movie will guide you to is that what we search for in outer space is actually in our own backyards. We are cut off from each other and sci-fi tries to quell our loneliness with ideas that we'll meet E.T. and wont feel so lonely in our existence. But were AREN'T alone... we have each other.

    I never get tired of watching this movie, though I wish they brought out a packed special edition DVD full of behind the scene effects and the like.
    9SteveHevetS

    No film has moved me more than this one, ever

    This, for me, is a masterpiece. I have enjoyed it more with each viewing.

    Carl Sagan was a great man. He promoted science in the way it should be, portraying the profound mysteriousness of our universe with humility, and without dogma. In his book, the Demon-Haunted World, he quoted Einstein:

    "All our science, measured against reality, is primitive and childlike -- and yet it is the most precious thing we have".

    Contact conveys this simple message in a subtle yet immensely powerful way. The performances are some of the most compelling I have seen, particularly by Jodie Foster and David Morse.

    Just magnificent.
    8Aaron_Al

    WOW!!!! There is Intelligence in Hollywood!

    My only regret about CONTACT is that I didn't see it in a theater.

    This movie works on so many levels. It is a fabulously balanced concoction of thrills, suspense, action, politics, acting & characterization, awe, and...(ahem)...INTELLIGENCE! (And not just the alien kind!)

    Some have compared this movie to 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY...with, perhaps, some justification. There certainly are more than just passing similarities. However, whereas 2001 relied on hardware to (almost) the exclusion of all else and placed a greater emphasis on "spectacle", CONTACT strives for more substance on the human and sociological level. It touches one's emotions in a way that most movies never attempt to, much less succeed. In this, CONTACT could just as well be compared to Steven Spielberg's masterpiece, E.T. But whereas E.T. was meant to wake up the "child" in us, CONTACT succeeds in waking us to the next level! This most definitely is THE movie for BRAINIACS!

    I rate CONTACT a STRONG 8 out of 10.
    8gingerkris

    Films are rarely as good as the book…but there are exceptions to the rule

    This remains true for this very good adaptation of the classic book by Carl Sagan. Sagans' idea was to make science and the elite commandeering of information available to the majority, he wrote his books for a wide audience and I think the film shows this as was intended by its author.

    The Film is roughly about Dr Arroway, Ellie, and how she handles being alone in a world without family or close friends. It is metaphorically able to make us all think about how isolated we as a race, and as people can feel.

    Ellie, a brilliant young scientist working on the mistrusted SETI program discovers a message sent to earth from distant star system Vega. On its discovery Ellie must battle with the Military, Pentagon, and Male Dominated scientific world to keep her cards on the table and her discovery that of her team. Ellie is constantly kept in the game by he benefactor, a rich technological industrialist mogul who has a vested interest in her participation of the programme to reach this alien culture.

    I don't wish to go on any further and spoil this movie as I rate it as a fantastic exploration of Science Vs Religion and the entire subsequent human spectrum in between. As a film there were several alterations from the book that I felt could have been included, for example not just one traveler but a range of them, philosophers, theologists, scientists, poets and Dr Arroway.

    I have watched this film a number of times and still find it a joy to watch the fifth, eighth and tenth time. Jody foster playing a not so dissimilar to her role in Silence of the lambs (attractive, clever, young, successful woman battling in a male world) is exceptional and delivers feeling and intellect alongside an impressive script.

    I would give this film an 8.5 and recommend it to anybody, but if you are a sci-fi fan and haven't seen this film then you're in for a treat.
    9omegacentauri21

    A movie for the future generations

    The 90's movies have a certain charm you can not replicate. It makes you belive in better things, makes you want to be better. I liket this movie because it focused on mankind, and not just America. Do not take me wrong. I dont have any problem with America, but there are a lot of things you have to consider besides that nation. I liked the how it made me think about the everlasting parallel between belief and technology. It gives you the right to choose, what you want to belive in. That is a very nice thing nowadays.

    Best Emmys Moments

    Best Emmys Moments
    Discover nominees and winners, red carpet looks, and more from the Emmys!

    More like this

    Gattaca
    7.7
    Gattaca
    Close Encounters of the Third Kind
    7.6
    Close Encounters of the Third Kind
    The Abyss
    7.5
    The Abyss
    Moon
    7.8
    Moon
    The Fifth Element
    7.6
    The Fifth Element
    12 Monkeys
    8.0
    12 Monkeys
    Dark City
    7.6
    Dark City
    A.I. Artificial Intelligence
    7.2
    A.I. Artificial Intelligence
    Arrival
    7.9
    Arrival
    Minority Report
    7.6
    Minority Report
    Gravity
    7.7
    Gravity
    Starship Troopers
    7.3
    Starship Troopers

    Related interests

    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Psychological Drama
    Rosamund Pike in Gone Girl (2014)
    Psychological Thriller
    Timothée Chalamet in Dune: Part One (2021)
    Sci-Fi Epic
    Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner in Star Trek (1966)
    Space Sci-Fi
    Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams in Manchester by the Sea (2016)
    Tragedy
    Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
    Workplace Drama
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Author and producer Carl Sagan died during production. He was reportedly taking great care to ensure that science was accurately depicted in this movie.
    • Goofs
      Walkie-talkies and cell phones are not allowed near a radio telescope array. They would overpower the array, making it useless.
    • Quotes

      Alien: You're an interesting species. An interesting mix. You're capable of such beautiful dreams, and such horrible nightmares. You feel so lost, so cut off, so alone, only you're not. See, in all our searching, the only thing we've found that makes the emptiness bearable, is each other.

    • Crazy credits
      "For Carl"
    • Connections
      Edited into Zaum - Andare a parare: Lo spazio dell'orbita (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Who Needs Wings to Fly
      Written by Dominic Frontiere and Sid Wayne

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ25

    • How long is Contact?Powered by Alexa
    • What is 'Contact' about?
    • Is 'Contact' based on a book?
    • Where is Vega?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 11, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Warner Bros. (United States)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • German
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • Contacto
    • Filming locations
      • Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, Puerto Rico(large radio telescope)
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • South Side Amusement Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $90,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $100,920,329
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $20,584,908
      • Jul 13, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $171,120,329
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 30m(150 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.