Flight of the Navigator
Performance & Direction: Flight of the Navigator Review
Last updated: January 31, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Flight of the Navigator (1986) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Family.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Family is often anchored by its ensemble, and Flight of the Navigator features a noteworthy lineup led by Joey Cramer . Supported by the likes of Paul Reubens and Veronica Cartwright , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Flight of the Navigator
Quick Plot Summary: Flight of the Navigator is a Family, Science Fiction, Adventure film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. 12-year-old David is accidentally knocked out in the forest near his home, but when he awakens eight years have passed. His family is overjoyed to have him back, but is just as perplexed as he is that he hasn't aged. When a NASA scientist discovers a UFO nearby, David gets the chance to unravel the mystery and recover the life he lost. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: Flight of the Navigator
Ending Breakdown: Flight of the Navigator resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to family resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the family themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Flight of the Navigator reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Flight of the Navigator?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Family films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Flight of the Navigator
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $9.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $18.6M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Flight of the Navigator Budget
The estimated production budget for Flight of the Navigator is $9.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Flight of the Navigator
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Flight of the Navigator Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Disney Plus🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV Store
Fandango At HomeFlight of the Navigator Parents Guide & Age Rating
1986 AdvisoryWondering about Flight of the Navigator age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Flight of the Navigator is 90 minutes (1h 30m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, Flight of the Navigator is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1986 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flight of the Navigator worth watching?
Flight of the Navigator is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Family movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Flight of the Navigator parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Flight of the Navigator identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Flight of the Navigator?
The total duration of Flight of the Navigator is 90 minutes, which is approximately 1h 30m long.
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How Flight of the Navigator Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Flight of the Navigator
Enjoyable enough. 'Flight of the Navigator' features an interesting concept which they bring to life rather well. It isn't anything special and it could've probably been more thrilling, but it still produces a fine 90 minutes. The special effects haven't aged amazing, yet they still suitably serve the intended purpose. Joey Cramer is good in the lead role as David, while Paul Reubens is fairly amusing as Max. A young Sarah Jessica Parker (Carolyn) also appears. The film doesn't quite hit the intended heartfelt spots with the plot, but there is an element of care for David from me in there minorly; if only at the end. Decent Disney.
This has stood the test of time remarkably well since it was released in 1986. Aside from a rather dated synthesised soundtrack, it's still quite a fun sci-fi adventure. When "David" (Joey Cramer) goes to meet his brother, he slips and bangs his head. Returning home he discovers that, well it isn't his home any more. The police soon reunite him with his parents but where has he been for the last eight years? Scientists decide to prod and poke him, and that's when he discovers they have a space ship - and that ship is calling to him. Once onboard, he realises that he was an experiment that went wrong for the ship's super computer - but can they sort it all out and get the youngster back to the correct timeline before the authorities catch up? There's no jeopardy here, so of course we now what's going to happen - but there are a couple of amiable efforts from the young Cramer, from his partner in crime at the lab "Carolyn" (Sarah Jessica Parker - no less) and Howard Hesseman makes for decent scientist "Dr. Faraday". The story is a simple family-friendly affair, with adequate visual effects as the ship changes shape, travels underwater, at high speed, etc. I like watching this every now and again - it has a inquisitive good-nature to it that makes for a good watch.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
