Where to Watch
Region
Apple TV Store
Rent from
HD
$5.99
Apple TV Store
Buy from
HD
$14.99
Amazon Video
Rent from
HD
$5.99
Amazon Video
Buy from
HD
$14.99
YouTube
Rent from
$3.99
See all 8 options →
Prices last updated September 1, 2026. Pricing and availability may vary by region.
powered by JustWatch
About
A radio astronomer receives the first extraterrestrial radio signal ever picked up on Earth. As the world powers scramble to decipher the message and decide upon a course of action, she must make some difficult decisions between her beliefs, the truth, and reality.
Theatrical
Jul 11, 1997
Box Office
$171.1M
Budget
$90.0M
Return
1.9x
DVD / Blu-ray
Feb 10, 2004
Theaters
1
Director
Writers
Producers
Music
Studio
South Side Amusement Company, Warner Bros. Pictures
Quotes
See all →Discussion on Investigative Findings Report
Rachel Constantine
I assume you read the confidential findings report from the investigating committee.
Michael Kitz
I flipped through it.
Constantine
I was especially interested in the section on Arroway's video unit. The one that recorded the static?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Debate on Evidence and Credibility in Science
Senator
Dr. Arroway, You come to us with no evidence, no record... no artifacts. Only a story that, to put it mildly, strains credibility. Over half a trillion dollars were spent. Dozens of lives were lost. Are you really gonna sit there and tell us we should just take this all... on faith?
Michael Kitz
Please answer the question, doctor.
Ellie Arroway
Is it possible that it didn't happen? Yes... As a scientist, I must concede that. I must volunteer that.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Cast
Full credits →J
Jodie Foster
Ellie Arroway
M
Matthew McConaughey
Palmer Joss
J
James Woods
Michael Kitz
J
John Hurt
S. R. Hadden
T
Tom Skerritt
David Drumlin
W
William Fichtner
Kent
D
David Morse
Ted Arroway
A
Angela Bassett
Rachel Constantine
G
Geoffrey Blake
Fisher
M
Max Martini
Willie
R
Rob Lowe
Richard Rank
J
Jake Busey
Joseph
T
Tucker Smallwood
Mission Director
J
Jena Malone
Young Ellie
S
Sami Chester
Vernon
T
Timothy McNeil
Davio
H
Henry Strozier
Minister
L
Larry King
Larry King
T
Thomas Garner
Ian Broderick
D
Dan Gifford
Jeremy Roth
