Movies Filmed at Kennedy Space Center: Complete List

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center has served many purposes over the years. Beyond its historical significance for launching astronauts to the moon, it has also been a popular film location. The latest movie to add to this legacy is “Fly Me to the Moon,” a romantic comedy set during the Space Race era, featuring stars Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. Filming took place partly at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Production trucks were spotted at NASA in March 2023, with around 25 to 30 vintage cars lining the parking lot in front of the Vehicle Assembly Building. Some prop pieces like light poles were installed as well, as noted by Craig Bailey, a seasoned photojournalist with FLORIDA TODAY, who toured the Kennedy Space Center set.

Interestingly, filming coincided with two major rocket launches at Kennedy Space Center. On February 27, 2023, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Subsequently, on March 2, 2023, NASA and SpaceX launched the Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station from the Kennedy Space Center.

Directed by Greg Berlanti, known for his work in the DC Universe, “Fly Me to the Moon” was initially titled “Project Artemis” and is set for release on Friday, July 12, 2024. This release date is just days before the 55th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing on July 16, 1969. After its theatrical release, the film will be available for streaming on Apple TV+.

Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station have been popular sites for filming over the years. Here’s a roundup of notable movies that were filmed there:

In “Moonraker” (1979), James Bond investigates the theft of a space shuttle, with scenes shot at the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center.

“Space Camp” (1986) features kids who mistakenly launch into orbit aboard a space shuttle, with scenes filmed at Kennedy Space Center. The film stars Kate Capshaw, Joaquin Phoenix, Tate Donovan, and Lea Thompson.

“Apollo 13” (1995), directed by Ron Howard, dramatizes the ill-fated 1970 Apollo mission. Famous for the line “Houston, we have a problem,” the film stars Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton and includes scenes shot at Kennedy Space Center.

“Contact” (1997), a big-screen adaptation of Carl Sagan’s novel, stars Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey. The film features scenes shot at Kennedy Space Center, following an astronomer who finds evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence.

“Armageddon” (1998) is a space disaster movie where an oil rig crew flies into space to destroy an asteroid headed for Earth. The film, starring Bruce Willis, Liv Tyler, Ben Affleck, Owen Wilson, and Steve Buscemi, includes scenes filmed on the Space Coast.

“Space Cowboys” (2000) tells the story of older astronauts returning to space. Directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, the film also features James Garner, Tommy Lee Jones, and Donald Sutherland, with scenes shot at Kennedy Space Center.

In “Race to Space” (2001), James Woods stars as an animal trainer responsible for a chimpanzee meant to go into space. Scenes were filmed at Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach.

“Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon” (2011) features the Autobots learning of a spacecraft hidden on the moon, with scenes filmed at Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center.

“Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!” (2015) has a tornado unleashing sharks from Washington D.C. to central Florida. Star Ian Ziering filmed scenes at Kennedy Space Center and parts of Cape Canaveral.

“Tomorrowland” (2015), inspired by the Space Age and Walt Disney’s vision for EPCOT, stars George Clooney and Britt Robertson. Scenes were shot at Titusville’s Space View Park and Kennedy Space Center.

“First Man” (2018) stars Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong and Claire Foy as Janet Armstrong. Directed by Damien Chazelle, the film features scenes shot on location at Kennedy Space Center in February 2018, detailing Armstrong’s historic moon landing.

“Don’t Look Up” (2021) stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence as astronomers attempting to warn mankind of a disastrous approaching comet. Scenes were filmed at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

“Fly Me to the Moon” (2024) tells an alternate history story of ad executive Kelly Jones, played by Scarlett Johansson, who is hired by the U.S. government to promote the 1969 Apollo 11 mission. She conflicts with Cole Davis, Channing Tatum’s character, a launch director dedicated to the mission’s success. Filming for the movie took place at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in early 2023.

Source: USA TODAY, FLORIDA TODAY