Houston … we have an IMAX release.
More than 55 years ago, three NASA astronauts had to abort their mission to the moon after a life-threatening malfunction aboard their spacecraft. Their tense journey back to Earth became the basis for “Apollo 13,” the 1995 Oscar-winning film named after the real-life mission.
Now, nearly three decades after its debut, “Apollo 13” is heading back to theaters — this time in IMAX.
Universal Pictures and IMAX announced Thursday, July 24, that “Apollo 13” will return to the big screen this fall to mark its 30th anniversary.
This isn’t the first time the film has landed in IMAX. A digitally remastered version was previously released in 2002. But this latest release may be its most exciting yet.
With massive screens and immersive sound, IMAX theaters promise a fresh experience — whether you’re revisiting the story or seeing it for the first time.
Directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, the late Bill Paxton and Kevin Bacon, “Apollo 13” tells what it calls “the dramatic true story” of the crisis that unfolded in space and the ground control team in Houston that worked around the clock to bring the astronauts home.
But how closely does the movie stick to the real events?
When will ‘Apollo 13’ return to theaters?
Universal Pictures and IMAX announced Thursday, July 24, that “Apollo 13” is heading back to IMAX theaters, which are known for having larger screens than a typical movie theater and steep stadium seating.
The Sept. 19, 2025, IMAX premiere is meant to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film’s original June 30, 1995, theatrical release.
The screening ends on Sept. 25.
How accurate was ‘Apollo 13’ movie? What to know about NASA mission
“Apollo 13” is inspired by the nearly disastrous April 1970 mission of the same name, in which NASA’s third planned mission to the moon had to be abandoned when an oxygen tank exploded on the service module.
For the three astronauts selected for the mission – Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise – the critical mishap two days into the mission transformed the spaceflight into a life-or-death situation. Relying on backup life-support systems on the Apollo Lunar Module meant to transport them to the moon’s surface from orbit, the astronauts used primitive methods of celestial navigation to make their way back to Earth.
While in constant communication with flight controllers in Houston, Texas, the astronauts safely made a water landing April 17, 1970, in the South Pacific Ocean – six days after launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Will ‘Apollo 13’ show at IMAX in Texas?
“Apollo 13” will show in Texas. Sign up for ticket information here.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: ‘Apollo 13’ is coming to IMAX: What to know about the real-life mission behind the movie
Reporting by Brandi D. Addison and Eric Lagatta, Austin American-Statesman / Austin American-Statesman
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
