Apollo 13

Apollo 13

Year: 1995

Runtime: 140 min

Language: English

Director: Ron Howard

AdventureDramaHistory

During the Apollo 13 mission, an oxygen tank explodes, crippling the spacecraft and leaving astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise struggling to survive 205,000 miles from Earth. With limited resources and facing extreme conditions, the crew and the dedicated team at Mission Control must work together, using their skills and ingenuity, in a tense and heart-stopping race against time to bring them home safely.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Apollo 13 yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Apollo 13 (1995) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Apollo 13 (1995) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the heat of the 1970s space race, NASA’s Apollo program looms large over a nation hungry for triumph. Launch pads hum with precise engineering, and the sleek command modules glide toward the void, embodying humanity’s daring ambition. The film settles into this high‑tech, high‑stakes environment, where every breath is measured and the line between wonder and peril is razor‑thin, creating a tone that balances awe‑inspiring optimism with a relentless undercurrent of tension.

At the heart of the story is Jim Lovell, a veteran astronaut whose calm confidence masks a deep personal longing to etch his name among the stars. He is joined by the quick‑witted Jack Swigert, a newcomer eager to prove himself, and the steady, resourceful Fred Haise, whose quiet determination steadies the crew. Together they form a tightly knit trio whose camaraderie is forged through rigorous training and shared dreams of lunar achievement. Back on Earth, Gene Kranz heads Mission Control, a steady hand whose leadership style blends disciplined rigor with an almost paternal concern for the men soaring above him.

The narrative builds around the moment the Apollo 13 crew embarks on their journey, only to be thrust into an unexpected crisis that threatens their very survival far from home. As systems falter and supplies dwindle, the astronauts must rely on each other’s strengths while Mission Control scrambles to devise inventive solutions with limited resources. The film captures the claustrophobic reality of a spacecraft hurtling through the void, juxtaposed with the bustling, tension‑charged atmosphere of the control rooms below.

Against this backdrop of ingenuity and resolve, the story teases a race against time where hope, skill, and the unbreakable human spirit become the crew’s only lifelines. The audience is left wondering whether the combined will of the astronauts and the ground team can turn a looming disaster into a testament to perseverance.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:32

Unlock the Full Story of Apollo 13

Don't stop at just watching — explore Apollo 13 in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Apollo 13 is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Apollo 13 Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Apollo 13, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Apollo 13 Summary

Apollo 13 Timeline

Track the full timeline of Apollo 13 with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Apollo 13 Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Apollo 13

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Apollo 13. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Apollo 13

More About Apollo 13

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Apollo 13: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Apollo 13

Similar Movies to Apollo 13

Discover movies like Apollo 13 that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.