Flight of the Navigator

David Freeman is eight years late for dinner, and his family wants to know why. But David's got an absolutely fantastic excuse.

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.

Quick Stats
7.0
TMDB Rating
980
Votes
1h 30m
Runtime
$9.0M
Budget
$18.6M
Box Office
206%
Return
Key Crew
DirectorRandal Kleiser
WriterMichael Burton
CinematographyJames Glennon
ComposerAlan Silvestri
EditorJeff Gourson
Production DesignThierry Coup
Produced by
New Star EntertainmentWalt Disney PicturesViking FilmPSO

Where to Watch

Streaming
Disney Plus
Buy
Apple TV Store
Fandango At Home

See more on TMDB → JustWatch

Critics & Reviews

2 featured
r96sk
7/10

Enjoyable enough. <em>'Flight of the Navigator'</em> 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.

Written Sep 18, 2020 · read original
CinemaSerf
7/10

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.

Written Apr 13, 2022 · read original

Cast

Joey Cramer
Joey Cramer
David Scott Freeman
Paul Reubens
Paul Reubens
Max (voice)
Veronica Cartwright
Veronica Cartwright
Helen Freeman
Cliff DeYoung
Cliff DeYoung
Bill Freeman
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker
Carolyn McAdams
Matt Adler
Matt Adler
Jeff (16 years)
Howard Hesseman
Howard Hesseman
Dr. Louis Faraday
Robert Small
Robert Small
Troy
J
Jonathan Sanger
Dr. Carr
R
Richard Liberty
Mr. Howard
Raymond Forchion
Raymond Forchion
Detective Banks
C
Cynthia Caquelin
Woman Officer
Ted Bartsch
Ted Bartsch
Night Guard Brayton
B
Brigid Cleary
Technician #2
M
Michael Strano
Technician #3

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