On its 40th anniversary, we reassess 1986's SpaceCamp
The 40th anniversary of the film SpaceCamp prompts a reassessment of its legacy. Originally released in 1986, the movie faced challenges following the Challenger disaster, which impacted its reception. Despite mixed reviews, it remains a nostalgic piece for many who grew up in the 80s.
- ▪SpaceCamp was released in 1986, shortly after the Challenger disaster.
- ▪The film featured a cast including Kate Capshaw and Tom Skerritt, and was directed by 20th Century Fox.
- ▪Despite a budget of $25 million, the film only grossed about $9.6 million at the box office.
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| Original publisher | Ars Technica - All content |
| Canonical URL | https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/05/on-its-40th-anniversary-we-reassess-1986s-spacecamp/ |
| Publication time | Sun, 31 May 2026 11:15:12 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-31T11:34:58.264Z |
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eric and lee, friends forever On its 40th anniversary, we reassess 1986’s SpaceCamp Is it a hidden gem, a cult classic, or hopelessly dumb? We vote “all of the above.” Eric Berger & Lee Hutchinson – May 31, 2026 7:15 am | 0 Preparing to go where no teenager has gone before. Credit: 20th Century Fox Preparing to go where no teenager has gone before. Credit: 20th Century Fox Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Forty years ago, the future seemed just around the corner—and the vehicle that was going to take us there was NASA’s Space Shuttle.
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