Joe Dante's EXPLORERS (1985) - The Best Movie You Never Saw

In the wake of GREMLINS being a smash hit, Joe Dante opted to follow-it up with the gentle, coming-of-age sci-fi tale EXPLORERS. Starring a young Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix, with a great score by Dante regular Jerry Goldsmith, the film was fraught with post-production issues and tight deadlines. The finished product, which tanked due to opening both on the weekend after BACK TO THE FUTURE and the same weekend as the iconic Live Aid concert, is one Dante has distanced himself from in the years since. Yet, it holds up as an underrated gem, and one of several classic family films that came out in that era. Check it out on the week's episode of The Best Movie You Never Saw!
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#Explorers #JoeDante #TheBestMovieYouNeverSaw

[@nemesisn4sir242]

I'm 42 and I still put this on every once in awhile. Just pure fun adventure.

[@KenAdams426]

Same for me and around the same age. This movie was always on Showtime and would watch it all the time when it was on.

[@bufordmaddogtannen514]

Ditto

[@northernking4787]

Being a kid back then was so much fun, movies were adventures that would trigger our imaginations!

[@mansquatch2260]

The music alone is epic.

[@KyleRuggles]

40 years old, same!

[@LupusLifestyle]

Not only did I see this movie I LOVED THIS MOVIE AS A KID!

[@tonecrome3685]

Always loved the video cover: a BMX and skateboard leaning against a wooden fence with light from The spacecraft coming from the other side.

[@MrYuck-ec5do]

Same, I grew up on this gem and even wore the vhs out.

[@bp968]

I watched this movie a million times as a kid! I loved it so much. I can't remember how many times me and my nerd friends talked about making our own spaceship!

[@saltydog947]

@@bp968 We got this video out for our kids and loved it too!

[@freedomfries6618]

I just spent 20 minutes trying to figure out what this movie was called. I saw it in the theater when I was 10 years old. I thought it was awesome, but had forgotten all about it.

[@koreangigalo7856]

One of the main reasons I loved this movie as a kid was that it made me really think I could just go into the back yard and build a space ship from junk and fly into space and its probably what made me learn about space travel

[@Prince.15306]

I agree

[@ssffyy9401]

So true…me and my cousins did try making a space craft in our backyard from broken washing machine parts 😂😂

[@imustbecrazy5626]

You gotta be mid to late 40s Your covering all my favorite movies.

[@bltvd]

I think he is younger than that because he thinks this was a movie we didn’t see! We “saw” the shit out of this one! Edit and he does not know that the Queen performance was not televised that weekend!

[@tonecrome3685]

I always loved the picture on the video case of this movie: a BMX and a skateboard leaning against a wooden fence with a plank missing. There's light coming from the other side of the fence, presumably the spacecraft being fixed or even taking off.

[@chriswilson3126]

I'm in my late 30s, loved this movie as a kid. Saw it on video though, not at the cinema.

[@kingdingaling2469]

He’s 39

[@edwardsanchez3708]

I saw explorers at the theater when it came out. My favorite part is when the little mouse says go to hell. I recorded that little piece with my cell phone and send it to my girlfriend occasionally when I don't agree with her lol

[@babywah3290]

Shut up, Heinlein…

[@highdesertsunset3011]

FIRST MOVIE I saw as a child 6yrs old in a theatre! Saw it in a cineplex in Lubbock texas visiting grandparents - I LOVED IT! Could not stop talking about it. The Soundtrack is AMAZING also. Years later in NYC I met Ethan Hawke in a bar told him all about it, he was so gracious.

[@mizzmt616]

I was 7, my first was jaws and i ran out of the movie theater crying lol

[@jcaseyjones2829]

An absolute classic in my house growing up. It was on a short list of "Movies My Parents Would Have Saved Hundreds In Rental Fees By Buying", along with stuff like Labyrinth and Return to Oz. Edit: Cannot believe I forgot the Last Starfighter. Edit: Cannot believe I forgot Flight of the Navigator. Edit: Cannot believe I forgot the Neverending Story.

[@whoknew2273]

Time Bandits was a favorite

[@BuckarooBanzai84]

Every one of those a personal fav of mine! =)

[@jcaseyjones2829]

@@whoknew2273 I never saw that one as a kid, which honestly feels a bit tragic in retrospect. It absolutely would have made the list. That's a good call. Reminds me that I also forgot Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

[@85wastedyears]

My family literally watched Labyrinth until the tape snapped, and I scotch taped it back together. That one, and The Goonies I think we watched the most...

[@jcaseyjones2829]

@@85wastedyears you know what always bugged me as a kid? In Labyrinth, the explanation for the bog of eternal stench is that anything that touches the liquid will smell intolerably bad forever. Yet when Ludo calls the rocks so they can cross they are clearly wet and both Ludo and the dog walk across the wet rocks with bare feet. How come they don't smell bad forever?

[@aggressivemediocrity]

I absolutely love this movie! As an 80s kid this is one of my all time childhood favorites. It's up there with Back to the Future and The Never Ending Story for me

[@terrydavis8451]

This was my favorite movie as a kid & still holds up for the most part for me.

[@CliffRoth]

I could never remember the name of this movie but it’s one of my favorites. I think of it every time I ride a tilt-a-whirl

[@1bottlejackdaniels]

"Enemy Mine"..."D.A.R.Y.L."..."Ewoks: the battle for Endor"..."my Science Project"..."Explorers"..."Cocoon"... these movies were my introduction into science-fiction when i was 11 years old...i will always remember 1980s studio logos >> Cannon, Carolco, Orion Pictures, Tri-Star Pictures, United Artists, CBS Fox, Touchstone Pictures, Miramax...the golden age of Hollywood!

[@RossTheNinja]

Has Enemy Mine been covered on this channel yet?

[@pinkenbajedi2119]

My brother, cousin and I watched this all the time as kids and obviously tried to build our own.

[@simonmorgan8539]

Still brings me out in goosebumps when Goldsmith's "The Construction" kicks in. The whole film is just a delight, thanks for doing this!

[@restingsithface]

I've been in love with this movie since the late 80's, what a classic!

[@RoyCyberPunk]

This movie should have had a Christmas or October release instead of summer. It's such an underated little gem.

[@tecpaocelotl]

I loved this as a kid.

[@matthewnicholas6365]

This is one of those films that left a permanent impression on me as a kid. I want my daughter to watch it when I think she's ready to not get scared by aliens.

[@davidkahnt2632]

"I wanted to build Kelly LeBrock..." *sigh of disbelief * "Anyway...." Yup... child of the 80s.... I feel your pain

[@RDJ134]

Such a great movie, seen it many times and still love it.

[@williamblake2962]

"The best movie you never saw" is such a good idea for a series. I love it.

[@zeroforkgiven]

Ah-hem....I saw the crap out of this one as a kid. Love seeing it being brought out for new viewers.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

IKR, I remember seeing it, but for years. I confused it with flight of the navigator. I'm not sure why it's been so forgotten.

[@zonesproductions]

This film completely passed me by as a kid. I watched it about 15 years ago and adored it. I dont remember it ever being promoted at all when I was young.

[@botz77]

One of River Phoenix's best. Love it.

[@tonyclemens4213]

I was a bit older when this movie came out, I could relate to the Dick Miller character.

[@RoyCyberPunk]

This is what I love of how things were before the age of the smartphone and tablets 12 years ago by now. Kids both boys and girls let their imagination fly back then but after the smartphone and tablets all they do nowadays for the most part is being stuck looking at a smartphone or tablet screen most of the time.

[@Pdalow]

Oh for fucks sake, people back then said kids were too invested in video games and now they say smartphones. I say shut up old man.

[@RoyCyberPunk]

@@Pdalow Oh my a butthurt millenial Baizuo😂, bye..

[@Cyril29a]

@@Pdalow It has always been the case. Before videogames it was comic books and before that newspapers and before that "those darn kids playing with there fancy wheels and fire." Things are better now than ever but people will always think that what they experienced at a young age was better because it litterally helped them form their brains. There is a reason people think records sounds better than CDs or FLAC, it is because it is what your brain is used to and so it is what you think sounds best. It has been proven that the preference comes from what you listed to between the ages of 9 and 18 when your brain was literally still being built by your body. Don't let these old men give you a hard time but please get off my lawn.

[@knosp79]

I saw it as a child in the theater with my father. This movie along with Flight of the Navigator and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure are fond childhood memories.

[@TheVanderpool]

One of my favorite childhood movies.. Still try to get people to watch it that never did as a kid

[@JayBelafonte]

I absolutely LOVED this movie growing up! I always talk about it, and most people have no clue what I’m talking about. DARYL was another sleep on movie.

[@knosp79]

Daryl was great too. The SR-71 joy ride scene was cool.

[@kingdingaling2469]

I’ve always loved this movie , since I was a kid about 6yo and I still love it now whenever I see it playing I click. LOVE EXPLORERS

[@vovindequasahi]

Growing up in the 80's this was every kid's dream. This movie is an underrated gem. Great casting, great story, and great effects!

[@ethinos2719]

I remember this from when I grew up but forgot the name of it. I'll have to revisit it again soon. I remember it reminded me of Flight of the Navigator mixed with Goonies.

[@beverlyjordan8957]

I love the movie. To this day it’s still a gem.😊

[@donniesalami4921]

My family got cable for the first time around 1987, and we had Showtime free for the first few months, and this movie was on Showtime all the time. It’s a great piece of my childhood.

[@charleswaters455]

I'm 58 and this is still one of my favorite movies.

[@timpower4922]

I watched this on cable every time it was on when I was a kid. Super underrated

[@skidart9063]

Wow, i just got major nostalgia from this. I used to love this movie when i was a kid and i totally forgot about it until now. Ty for sharing man! I cant believe i forgot about this movie.

[@CaptNRetro]

I have seen every one of the movies in your series "The Best Movie You Never Saw"..you're gonna have to dig deeper to stump me

[@anthonyclark9441]

I say it almost everytime that I've seen whichever Movie he picks. I usually see them on Cable, or Broadcast Television, and have seen them as a kid, and I'm 43 now.

[@BillAngelos]

This was one of my favorite movies growing up.

[@michaellangwaller]

I remember seeing this movie when it came out and was shocked that it did not do better. I saw this movie and Back to the Future on the same weekend.

[@ThePoorBoy]

Talk about a great '80s weekend!

[@StuntMan_Marq]

I loved this as a kid. Dante also gave me the Burbs which I just adore. The Burbs is definitely my favorite movie from Dante. Btw, I totally agree with you on Weird Science! I think we all want to make our very own Kelly LeBrock. lol

[@motomike71]

Always love it when I see a "Best Movie You Never Saw" and say, "Oh yeah, I saw that!" My girlfriend at the time introduced me to this on VHS. She had a bit of a River Phoenix and Ethan Hawke crush.

[@thunderbird66613]

One of my favs. Awesome soundtrack. I'm sure kids today can't make it passed the 1st 15 mins.

[@polloalforno]

1982 here, Italy, and it changed my life.

[@shoesncheese]

This was one of my favorite movies as a kid, especially the musical number.

[@lordofallusion5862]

Absolutely love this movie. Ive got the poster on my wall here in 2024. Such a fun flick. One of the movies that really takes me back to those 80s days we all seem to miss.

[@Prince.15306]

I watched the Movie 1985 the Explorers it was so incredible I can’t believe it, it was one of the best movies I ever seen. The part I like is the the music I really love the Music in Explorers it made me sleep. Explorers is my second favourite movie from now on. I’m gonna give this movie an A+ 😊

[@alastairbeaumont9578]

I won’t lie, my aunt got me this on video/VHS when I was, like, 7. I refused to watch it for about 5 years because I was worried about it being called Explorers, and thought it may’ve been an educational documentary. Glad I got round to watching it!

[@mermadone6465]

Loved this movie as a kid! I even wish your review was longer

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

I really miss the 80's and 90's.

[@lfroncek]

I watched this movie a ton growing up and it's one of those films that I'm always shocked when my friends have never heard of it.

[@oooh19]

well maybe its before our time lol (I was born in 1987 but yea you can find older stuff online now). Darren's my fave; he's so underrated!

[@MasonDaniels-ef6mf]

I loved watching this when I was young I can't tell how many times I rented it

[@mrbuck5059]

I have been trying to look for this movie for a long time! I'm 42 years old and I remember watching this when I was 10.

[@LuciusMaximusReal]

I loved this movie, I was 13 years old when I saw it, and I end up building a spaceship in the woods with two of my friends, our imagination did indeed fly into the endless places of the Universe, the spaceship never really flew but it became the "Man cave" for our childhood... 1980s and 90s were the best of times...

[@acegrafik]

Stands on top with "Stand By Me" and "Weird Science" on my childhood chart.Even "the Goonies" is second to this gems. Love every bit of it and love the score too.And i am in my late 40's and still love the hell out of those movies.....Ahhh,the 80's were a blast like no decade....

[@dannyblade6824]

I saw Explorers for the first time in 2006, I was 22 years old and I loved it.

[@jwnj9716]

Here are 2 hidden gems for you guys: Live Wire (1992) and Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind (1980).

[@tauriusmagnamus3281]

Loved this movie as a kid. Had many day dreams about building my own spaceship and doing what the kids did in the movie. Haven't thought about this movie in a long time. Thanks for the nostalgia.

[@maxxamiss5386]

This movie is just magic. Definitely one of my favorites as a kid

[@LordofSyn]

Rolls-can-hardly Rolls down one hill Can hardly get up the next. So glad this movie is getting some love.

[@Crisdapari]

What a jewel! I saw it in TV in the 90's. *Nostalgia invades*

[@davy1458]

I remember this....another one of those movies that made being a kid in the 1980s so awesome

[@RobPanico]

My favorite childhood film and one of my top 10 film scores of all time thanks to the genius of Jerry Goldsmith! Such a gem!

[@ajohnson153]

I'm so glad this video exists. I remember seeing this movie as a kid, but for the longest time could not remember the name of it.

[@1anonymousb]

This movie did capture wonder and adventure like no other. You have to be 12 or under the first time seeing it or it probably wouldn't hit the same. I hope if there's a remake done that it can be updated but still capture those elements for the kids watching

[@anyonecanart3394]

I love this movie man I was born in 1982 and I was a little kid when this came out and I loved watching it and I still love watching it best movie ever

[@andrewspeers4018]

This defined my era great film will allways be in my heart ❤

[@mollypryce2051]

My memory of this movie always seemed like a wild fever dream, but then i found clips of it on KZbin! I'm so glad i found it, it's such a weird but fun movie.

[@GallantSector]

Saw this movie at like 13 or 14. 1996 or 97 and was upset I didn’t see it earlier. Absolutely loved it.

[@heatherdale5571]

When we lost Heath Ledger I felt the same loss and sadness that hit me when we lost River. 💔 It was, and remains, heart breaking to recall. Great vid.

[@sageantone7291]

This is still my fav childhood film of all time, and it still fills me with joy. It's so nice for us lifelong Explorers fans to find an earnest review of the movie, without the tired and lazy youtube snark, endlessly crapping on its perceived flaws. Thank you for that. (I honestly don't know what's the problem with the third act. The story of disappointment in hoping to find some profound meaning of life in space, only to find other alien kids dealing with the same kid issues, is quite poignant to me; as is the idea that pop culture is not ultimately who we are. These are strong themes. And Goldsmith's score is pure magic.)

[@benjameng9475]

This movie really inspired me as a kid got the brain really fired up and thinking outside the box. True gem.

[@DeeboX-vv8ji]

This is one of my FAVORITE SYFI movies of all time. It has heart, drama, romance, and incredible cinematography. The cool twist toward the end of the film was great as well. It touched on how human fear what they don't understand, or what's different. AWSOME flick, and I hope it gets a remake.

[@jamesdenofantiquity]

I enjoyed this movie from the first time that saw it back in the late 80's and occasionally watch it as an adult.

[@jerryhensley6255]

One of my favorite movies of all time I think of it every time I ride that ride

[@theronmitchell3073]

This movie was always on every summer as a kid, loved it

[@MMStrademark]

I remember reading an interview with the author at the time who thought to himself, “Why can’t some kids build a spaceship?” The rest is history! This actually marks the first video tape I ever rented, because I missed it when it came out.

[@chrischelliah4497]

Just remebered this film after 30 years. Need to watch it!

[@JustinUrban1]

Absolute gem from my childhood

[@Been.Here.Since.2007]

I watched it in theaters a number of times when it was released.

[@perceivedvelocity9914]

I haven't seen this movie in years. I loved it as a kid.

[@adamberndt4190]

This and 'Flight of The Navigator' were staples of my childhood!

[@michaelmorgan7893]

Explorers has always been one of my favorite Sci Fi movies.

[@stevenparent7886]

I saw it many times, and whoever hasn't don't know what they missed out on.

[@thealcohologist8624]

Taking me back to my childhood with this one

[@andy23r]

this is such a good movie i first saw this when i was 5 in the early 90s..........yeah I'm old

[@nickdaruler]

One of my favorite movies of all time!

[@juliancottage365]

Also the sound track is amazing

[@rick9977015]

I saw it on cable tv the first time. Loved it from the start and still a favorite today. Everytime I saw the Tilt a Whirl thingy all I thought about was Explorers.

[@crimsoncola]

One of my favorite movies when I was a kid!

[@ashtonturner2862]

I loved this movie when I was a kid as well. I actually saw in the theater when it came out.

[@bufordmaddogtannen514]

My favorite since it came out. Still love watching it. :)

[@TheReviewLabOfficial]

Seen this movie many times. Love it!!

[@InvasionAnimation]

I saw this movie for the first time ever around 5 years ago. This was a great movie!

[@logandeathrage6945]

I was 10 when this came out and I am I glad I saw it in the Theatre.

[@leaphardotnet]

rented it at 10 years old , not knowing what it was, and being mind blowed by the epic adventure of those kids....

[@threeparots1]

I remember this movie to this day..such a neat premise to a sci-fi. Was pretty smart for a kids movie.

[@alphalifestyleacademy]

I saw this on video. I loved this movie as a kid.

[@mansquatch2260]

I remember when my mom rented this from the video store and she explained that kids make a spaceship out of garbage. I had a mental image of using used soda cans to make the enterprise. I was utterly astounded and amazed (I was 6 or 7 when i first saw it) and I got a copy taped from some movie channel so I could keep watching it, only to wonder why there were scenes missing. Only later did I learn that there were several cuts of this movie.

[@bruceedwards539]

I remember reading the novelisation when I was about 10 years old and thinking it had so much more than the film, which I loved. Now I know why!

[@Navpo01]

What, I love this movie. Fell in love first time I seen it!