10 Best Space Movies Of All Time

Christopher Nolan prides himself on big budget spectacle paired with the intelligence and intricacy often found in more niche auteur cinema - and Interstellar fits the mould through and through.

In a dystopian future, humanity must journey into space and find other habitable planets in order to survive. At the head of what might be the final space adventure are Anne Hathaway's Amelia Brand and Matthew McConaughey's ex-NASA pilot Cooper (at the height of the McConaissance), the latter of whom who must leave his daughter behind in the hope of saving humankind.

Having tackled disjointed narratives, dreams and physical duplication - with all the philosophical and ethical dilemmas these elements entail - Nolan used Interstellar to turn his lens to the heavens. Aside from the astounding realism of the visual effects depicting complex deep space and planetary environments, the acting, plotting and scientific realism are spot on - even if the usual paper-folding wormhole logic is deployed (à la Event Horizon).

While a lot is borrowed from Kubrick's 2001, particular highlights come in those instances the film digresses from standard space film fare, such as the design of TARS and CASE, the two clunky, quadrilateral, non-anthropomorphic robots who aid the exploration crew.

And then there's the score. Hans Zimmer summons the perfect note to the many sections of space in Interstellar, building an often understated and occasionally overwhelming soundscape to match the majesty of every visual.

This one is also a major player when it comes to time travel and the fourth dimension.