Hangar 18

Hangar 18

Year: 1980

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: English

Director: James L. Conway

Science FictionThrillerActionMonsters aliens sci-fi and the apocalypseImaginative space odysseys and alien encounters

During a Space Shuttle mission a satellite collides with an unidentified flying object that lands in the Arizona desert. The White House, fearing election fallout, hides the event and sends the craft to the secret Hangar 18. Astronauts Bancroff and Price are blamed, but they refuse the accusation and work to expose the truth and recover the UFO.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Hangar 18 (1980)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Hangar 18 (1980). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1980s

The plot unfolds in a contemporary late-20th-century setting, with NASA and military operations reflecting the era's space ambitions. Political pressure around an election fuels a government-driven cover-up. The atmosphere blends scientific inquiry with cautionary tales about secrecy and public accountability.

Location

Hangar 18, Wolf Air Force Base, Arizona desert

Hangar 18 centers on a secret Air Force facility where an alien spacecraft is stored after a shuttle collision. The action moves from the Arizona desert where the launch occurs to Wolf Air Force Base in Texas, where the craft is housed in Hangar 18. The setting underscores a Cold War-era obsession with space, security, and keeping extraterrestrial mysteries out of the public eye.

🏜️ Desert setting 🕵️ Government secrecy 🛰️ Space incident

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:55

Main Characters – Hangar 18 (1980)

Meet the key characters of Hangar 18 (1980), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Steve Bancroft (Gary Collins)

NASA astronaut who witnesses the collision with the unidentified object. He becomes determined to prove his and Price's innocence as he uncovers a wider conspiracy surrounding Hangar 18.

🚀 Astronaut

Harry Forbes (Darren McGavin)

Deputy Director of NASA who oversees the Hangar 18 operation. He embodies the political pressure to control information and maintain a stable public image.

🏛️ Government official

Lew Price

Astronaut and colleague of Bancroft who shares the perilous mission and the drive to clear their names.

🚀 Astronaut

Professor Mills (William Schallert)

A scientist involved in analyzing the alien craft and its implications for Earth.

🔬 Scientist

Sarah Michaels (Pamela Bellwood)

A member of the crew or base staff connected to the Hangar 18 operation and its cover story.

👩‍🚀 Base staff

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:55

Major Themes – Hangar 18 (1980)

Explore the central themes of Hangar 18 (1980), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛸 Alien Contact

The discovery of an unprecedented spacecraft suggests humanity's first real contact and raises questions about shared origins. Evidence of the aliens’ visit and their human-like traits prompts reflection on how humanity could be observed by more advanced civilizations. The film uses the craft to probe the possibility of a long-standing extraterrestrial influence on Earth.

🕵️ Conspiracy

A government cover-up drives the narrative, with officials silencing witnesses and erasing crucial telemetry. The protagonists risk their careers to reveal the truth, highlighting the tension between transparency and political expediency. The plot examines how power can shape information and public perception.

🔬 Science vs Secrecy

Scientists study the alien craft, noting surprising biological and technological parallels with Earth. The pursuit of knowledge clashes with classified agendas, as researchers face pressure to keep findings under wraps. The story frames science as both a beacon of truth and a tool for maintaining control.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:55

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Unlock the Full Story of Hangar 18

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Hangar 18 Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Hangar 18, 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.

Hangar 18 Summary

Hangar 18 Timeline

Track the full timeline of Hangar 18 with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Hangar 18 Timeline

More About Hangar 18

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