IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > Explorers (1985)
Explorers
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Explorers (1985) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 9 | slideshow) Videos
Explorers (1985) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.3/10   5,079 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 15% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Eric Luke (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Explorers on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 July 1985 (USA) more
Tagline:
You don't need a driver's license to reach the stars. more
Plot:
Ben Crandall, an alien-obsessed kid, dreams one night of a circuit board. Drawing out the circuit, he and his friends Wolfgang and Darren set it up... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 win & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(9 articles)
Columbus Day Tales Of Discovery, Real And Imagined
 (From MTV Movies Blog. 12 October 2009, 12:00 PM, PDT)

Exclusive: Down in The Hole - An Interview with Joe Dante
 (From Fangoria. 21 September 2009, 11:14 PM, PDT)

User Reviews:
Fantastic, imaginative, entertaining--halfway through. more (61 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Ethan Hawke ... Ben Crandall

River Phoenix ... Wolfgang Müller
Bobby Fite ... Steve Jackson

Bradley Gregg ... Steve Jackson's Gang
Georg Olden ... Steve Jackson's Gang
Chance Schwass ... Steve Jackson's Gang
Amanda Peterson ... Lori Swenson

Danny Nucci ... Nasty Kid at School
Jason Presson ... Darren Woods

Dana Ivey ... Mrs. Müller
Taliesin Jaffe ... Ludwig Müller

James Cromwell ... Mr. Müller
Brooke Bundy ... Science Teacher
Tricia Bartholome ... Girl in Classroom
Eric Luke ... Darren's Teacher
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG for some mild language and action, and a brief scene involving beer. (special home entertainment version)
Runtime:
109 min | 100 min (restored video version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
There are numerous references to Looney Tunes cartoons throughout. When the boys create the sphere in Wolfgang's basement and it goes crashing out a window, the imprint in the glass looks suspiciously like Bugs Bunny's head. Also, Wak's first words to Ben and Darren are "What's up Doc?". more
Goofs:
Continuity: At 07:16 on the DVD, "2517 Davana County School District" is written on the side of the school bus, but at 49:58, the sheriff's helicopter lands by a sign reading "Davanna County" and at 50:51, deputy Gordon reads a copy of the "Davanna County Gazette". more
Quotes:
Mr. Müller: [to his son's "talking" rat] "Shut up, Heinlein!" more
Movie Connections:
References Gremlins (1984) more
Soundtrack:
ALL AROUND THE WORLD more

FAQ

What's with the ending?
more
16 out of 17 people found the following review useful.
Fantastic, imaginative, entertaining--halfway through., 7 June 2005
6/10
Author: Michael Reed from United States

Watching Explorers as a kid, sparked all the things I loved about freedom, and adventure. I was always into space, sci-fi, computers, and aliens even at a young age, and this film does a great job geeking any kid out when it comes to science, space, and adventure. I love how one of the kids had a dream about designing a circuit board, and after creating it realizes it creates a spherical force field that has virtually no speed limit, and is impossible to slow down (blasting through an entire stack of books with ease, leaving a perfect hole).

Although, once the kids get through the testing phase of the force field, and build the ship from old carnival rides (tea-cup thingie)--the movie takes another turn. Although still fun, the writer and/or director seem to lose track of the original flare, and the movie begins to wander off into a more childish, meaningless Hollywood push-out.

Over all, the film is very entertaining. I just Netflixed it so that my girlfriend could see it, and I could reminisce. It is one of my favorite childhood movies (along side the original Neverending Story).

--MR

Was the above review useful to you?
more (61 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Explorers (1985)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Good film... for the first hour jimbob02111980
Is this movie the answer to my question? letitcomedownmang
river phoenix questions icould_Fly
Soundtrack? HorrorFan78
Help please!! ... I'm searching Gooniesque 80's film!! matias_celentano
the best scene in the movie is...the old guy saying 'nice going kid' carlstaples74
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Ewok Adventure The Transformers: The Movie Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi Zathura: A Space Adventure
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Family section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.