Cocoon

Name: Cocoon
Genre: Sci-Fi
Released: June 21, 1985
Duration: 117 min
Rating: 65
Cast: Brian Dennehy, Don Ameche, Gwen Verdon, Herta Ware, Hume Cronyn

1985

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Ratings

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Cocoon

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: June 21, 1985 | PG-13

Starring: Brian Dennehy, Don Ameche, Gwen Verdon, Herta Ware, Hume Cronyn, Jack Gilford, Jessica Tandy, Maureen Stapleton, Steve Guttenberg, Wilford Brimley

Summary: When a group of trespassing seniors swim in a pool containing alien cocoons, they find themselves energized with youthful vigour.

Director: Ron Howard

Genre(s): Sci-Fi

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 117 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

R.L. Shaffer

Cocoon has its flaws, to be sure, but it's an ambitious, visually stirring piece of sci-fi drama. The performances from the cast (both young and old) are terrific, and visual effects are quite gorgeous. Read full review

Sheila Benson

Cocoon is a sly and salty bit of wish fulfillment that, by its tremendous close, has its entire audience wishing along with it. The combined energy it generates is probably enough to raise the Titanic. Read full review

Gene Siskel

My only major criticism of Cocoon is the ending, which needlessly places the film in familiar extraterrestrial movie territory. Without giving too much away, either most of the characters should have made a different decision or the film should have had courage to jump off into a completely different direction. Special visual effects are wonderful, but the human being is still the greatest special effect of all. Read full review

Pauline Kael

If audiences enjoy the movie, it's largely because of the elderly actors and the affection that the young director, Ron Howard, shows for them.

Empire Ian Nathan

The sugar level is positively diabetic, but the whole aura of warmth and cuddliness is hard to resist. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

A gentle and effective heart-tugger, Cocoon tries to make its audience feel good, but you can't help but feel uneasy about the vision of old age that director Ron Howard depicts--one in which the young cannot accept the notion of getting old. The derivative special effects feel like leftovers from the infinitely superior Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Read full review

Time Out London Staff (Not Credit)

Essentially, this is sci-fi with a heart, albeit one made entirely of cheese. Both director and writer sometimes seem unsure whether to pitch the tale as knockabout comedy or sentimental fable. It's to the lasting detriment of the movie that Howard opts for the latter. Resistible. Read full review

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User Reviews

OriginalDanger

Jul 11, 2020

Cocoon is a 1985 fantasy sci-fi but also there's humour so to a degree it's also a comedy... It's one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made right up there with Alien and Aliens and even though more family based kind of film and not violent at all it has beautifully shot scenes, beautifulCocoon is a 1985 fantasy sci-fi but also there's humour so to a degree it's also a comedy... It's one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made right up there with Alien and Aliens and even though more family based kind of film and not violent at all it has beautifully shot scenes, beautiful imagery, lovely characters which are all likeable, great story, great acting, basically there's not one fault with Cocoon because it's the perfect movie and has always been and still is a classic. A must watch for any movie lover and you won't be disappointed because Cocoon is one of the greatest films ever made and unique so if you want a decent sci-fi film don't watch E.T which is absolutely rubbish but watch a decent sci-fi in the form of Cocoon and crack open a beer. Excellent film and one I've always admired and adored, stars Steve Guttenberg, Brian Dennehy and a few others..… Expand

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Steven1981

Mar 24, 2020

Cocoon is a 1985 sci-fi fantasy comedy adventure and stars Steve Guttenberg, Brian Dennehy, Tahnee Welch and Wilford Brimley... Although not the best sci-film ever made it's certainly in my list of one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made and certainly one of the most imaginative andCocoon is a 1985 sci-fi fantasy comedy adventure and stars Steve Guttenberg, Brian Dennehy, Tahnee Welch and Wilford Brimley... Although not the best sci-film ever made it's certainly in my list of one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made and certainly one of the most imaginative and original sci-fi's of it's era... Some aliens come to earth and drop the cocoon eggs in the ocean, the aliens look like humans but can remove their skins but the cocoon's eventually are thrown into a swimming pool after being given permission to use the pool. The cocoon eggs have some strange youthful power or something but when 3 old aged pensioner dipsticks start farting around in the pool and inviting others in the pool and more or less destroying the eggs some tears by the aliens take place because they finally know what if feels like to experience loss. They eventually end up transferring the remaining cocoons back to the ocean and sod off back to space in their flying saucer taking a few earth people with them especially the granddad's and grannies so they'll never age and get old or sick... Cocoon is filled with extraordinary visuals, some romance scenes and plenty of adventure and good acting. Faultless movie.… Expand

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slider1983

Jan 24, 2020

Cocoon’s fountain of youth script works as both a tale about the abuse of rejuvenation but also letting go the fear of approaching death in old age. The film by the end may push aside the acceptance of death in the face of the movie’s central premise yet the message is more about doing theCocoon’s fountain of youth script works as both a tale about the abuse of rejuvenation but also letting go the fear of approaching death in old age. The film by the end may push aside the acceptance of death in the face of the movie’s central premise yet the message is more about doing the most with your life. No doubt Ben, his wife and friends at that retirement home have a great new adventure ahead of them. It’s inspiring. With a touching script, great acting performances as well as an uplifting music score and amazing visual effects Ron Howard brings it all together for one important message. That message being we are only as young as we feel. Ironically a film about ageing has remained ageless and it’ll make you feel young again watching it. Cocoon is an imaginative movie that is highly recommended.… Expand

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DawdlingPoet

Nov 25, 2021

I thought this was a pretty quirky, amusing watch. Its very much a family friendly fantasy film. The special effects are pretty old fashioned but thats to be expected given its over 30 years old - thats partly why its amusing, the reaction of the actors to the special effects. It does have aI thought this was a pretty quirky, amusing watch. Its very much a family friendly fantasy film. The special effects are pretty old fashioned but thats to be expected given its over 30 years old - thats partly why its amusing, the reaction of the actors to the special effects. It does have a moral message behind it about greed, I suppose. Its fairly cheesy at times, even somewhat reminiscent of ET in a way but its a pretty good watch regardless and I'd say its worth seeing, yes.… Expand

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