Top 10 Movie Spacewalk Scenes

With color-coated spacesuits, an obvious soundstage, and science that’s about as logical as a Marvin the Martian cartoon, this spacewalk epitomizes “Destination Moon” in all its retro silliness. When Luna hits a roadblock, the crew investigates the spaceship’s hull using magnetic boots. One member gets separated and is pulled away by a noticeable wire…um…we mean gravity. It’s nothing that an oxygen tank can’t fix, though. While admittedly cheesy by today’s standards, this sequence remains visually pioneering considering “Destination Moon” was the first big-budget U.S. film about human space travel.

Changing tone entirely, this scene from “Mission to Mars” is heavy on suspense and even heavier on sacrifice. With the Mars II crew tethered together, Commander Woody propels himself towards a nearby module. He doesn’t have the smoothest landing. Terri attempts to reel her husband back in, but she’s unfortunately a worse shot than Woody. As Terri’s fuel supply dwindles, Woody knows what must be done. Although it’s a tragic loss for sure, at least Tim Robbins had the good sense to clock out before the film’s disappointing second act.

Up until recently, “Guardians of the Galaxy” wasn’t the most well-known Marvel property. After the 2014 blockbuster hit, though, it quickly became a universal favorite. Stellar action and comedy aside, much of its appeal stems from the involving characters. The film’s emotional resonance notably shines as Gamora faces a lonely burial in space. Having stood around and done nothing in the past, Peter finally lives up to his self-proclaimed title of Star-Lord. Poignant, quiet, and beautiful, the scene is wonderful on the eyes and will pull on the heartstrings.

“Moonraker” is often considered one of 007’s most over-the-top outings and you can certainly see why here. With a space station and lasers galore, this battle looks more like something out of “Star Wars” than James Bond. If you’re going to set a Bond movie in space, though, why not go all out? Utilizing impressive art direction, sharp editing, and a record for the most zero gravity wires in a single scene, the film’s climax manages to make a rather ridiculous concept energized, showy, and a lot of fun.

“Star Trek” has always had great characters and ideas, but has sometimes come up short in the action department. With J. J. Abrams behind the camera, Trekkers get the full package. “Star Trek Into Darkness” features one of the franchise’s finest set pieces in which Captain Kirk and Khan space-jump to the Vengeance warship. Not only does the sequence look spectacular, it also maintains a perfect balance of tension and comedy courtesy of Scotty. From start to finish, this dive into space is guaranteed to blow you away.

Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and James Garner were all in their senior years by the early 2000s, but they could still get the job done. The same can be said about their characters in “Space Cowboys,” who venture into space to stop a falling satellite. They plan to push the satellite back using missiles, but Jones’ Hawk must go along for the ride. With convincing visuals and a powerful score, Hawk goes out on a poetic high note as he finally gets to visit the moon.

Set near our solar system’s hottest spot, “Sunshine” appropriately makes the audience drip with sweat. As Icarus II’s shields are damaged, Captain Kaneda and Capa set out to make repairs. Things get particularly heated when their ship turns and faces the sun. While Capa finds a shadier spot, Kaneda sticks around to finish up and takes one for the team in a blaze of glory. Like the rest of the film, the sequence is exquisitely rendered, zealously composed, and makes you feel the sun in all its scolding splendor.

Yet another “Star Trek” spacewalk, this scene takes Picard, Worf, and Hawk outside the Starship Enterprise during a Borg invasion. Picard attempts to disable the collective species by disconnecting the ship’s maglock, but it would appear Hawk has been assimilated. Luckily, Worf is there to save the day and deliver a kickass one-liner. One of movie’s most complex moments to pull off, the sequence comes complete with first-rate sets, models, and blue screen technology. It also exemplifies the film’s theme regarding different cultures uniting together to fight for a common goal.

Just as space can be cold and unforgiving, so can machines. In “2001: A Space Odyssey,” Dave and Frank eventually see just how far HAL 9000 will go to preserve himself and the mission. Losing faith in his conspiring shipmates, HAL cuts Frank’s oxygen hose and closes the pod bay doors on Dave. The lack of musical accompaniment and sound adds to this intense exchange as Dave tries reasoning with the computer. HAL’s actions may seem heartless, but the unsettling truth is that this is just how humankind programmed him to be.

Before we make contact with our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Shrinking the Moon
“Despicable Me” (2010)
- Bad Maintenance
“Europa Report” (2013)
- Ship Maintenance
“Titan A.E.” (2000)
- Louie’s Leg
“Silent Running” (1972)
- Entering V’Ger
“Star Trek: The Motion Picture” (1979)

It’s hard to think of a film that’s done a more authentic job at capturing both the majesty and the hostility of outer space than “Gravity.” The film slowly lures the audience in throughout its opening scene, which feels like one extended tracking shot around the Hubble Space Telescope. Whether observed in 2D or 3D, it honestly feels like you’re up there with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. That sense of realism is what makes it especially terrifying when a problem occurs, sending us on a nonstop thrill ride.

Do you agree with our list? What movie spacewalk scene took you beyond the stars? For more intergalactic Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.