WISE Score
Avg. Tomatometer
Apollo 11 narrated by three houseflies—a 2008 time capsule that hasn't aged as well as the actual moon rocks.
20%
20%View →Fly Me to the Moon is a bargain-bin animated relic from the early 3D era. While it's perfectly safe and clean, it’s also remarkably dull.
In 2026, the animation looks like a high-end screensaver from twenty years ago. If your kid is obsessed with bugs and space, it’s a fine 'background movie' for a rainy Tuesday, but don't expect it to become a family favorite. There are much better ways to learn about Apollo 11 that won't make you sit through eighty minutes of fly puns.
Best for ages 4 to 7. Anyone older than 8 will likely be bored by the script and distracted by the dated, 'uncanny valley' CGI animation.
It’s a standard hero’s journey about following dreams and sticking with your friends. The relationship between Nat and his grandfather is sweet, even if the dialogue is a bit clunky.
The 'flies in space' concept is a fun hook for preschoolers, but the execution relies heavily on 2008-era 3D gimmicks that don't translate well to modern 2D screens.
It’s a G-rated movie through and through. There's some very mild slapstick and a 'scary' dog, but nothing that would rattle a kindergartner. A few weird jokes about 'hotties' and vodka from a grandpa fly are the only minor outliers.
You get the basic beats of the Apollo 11 mission, and the Buzz Aldrin cameo at the end is a nice touch to separate fact from fiction for kids. However, it's mostly filler and fly puns.
If you’ve ever scrolled through the "Free Movies" section of a streaming app on a rainy Saturday, you’ve seen this thumbnail. It’s the kind of movie that exists primarily to fill space in a library. While it’s tempting to hit play because it’s "safe" and "educational," you should know that critics and audiences alike have been pretty unimpressed with this one since it debuted. With a dismal critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and an even lower rating on Letterboxd, it’s clear this isn't a hidden gem.
The animation is the biggest hurdle. Back in 2008, this was marketed as a 3D spectacle. Stripped of that gimmick, the visuals look uncomfortable. The flies have human-ish faces that land somewhere in the uncanny valley, and the textures are flat compared to anything released in the last decade. If your kid is used to the lush, high-budget worlds of modern animation, they’re going to notice the drop in quality immediately.
This isn't necessarily a "bad" movie for a very specific type of viewer. It’s a functional choice for a kid who gets easily overwhelmed by villains or high-stakes tension. The "peril" here is mostly just the risk of being swatted or getting left behind. It’s a low-energy watch that works best as background noise while they play with blocks or draw.
However, if the goal is to actually spark a lasting interest in the moon landing, this movie is a bit of a missed opportunity. It uses the real Apollo 11 mission as a backdrop, but the fly-centric plot is so thin it barely registers as history. You’re better off checking out our list of the 12 Best Space Movies for Kids: Ranked by Age (G to PG-13) for something with more substance and better production values.
If you have a 5- or 6-year-old who is starting to ask how the sun and moon work, skip the bug puns and grab a copy of "Light Is All Around Us": The STEM Book That Actually Makes Sense to a 6-Year-Old. It’s a much more effective way to turn a curiosity about space into actual knowledge without having to sit through eighty minutes of dated CGI.
Ultimately, Fly Me to the Moon is disposable. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a bland cracker. It won't hurt anyone, but nobody is going to remember it an hour after the credits roll. If they’re obsessed with bugs and you’ve already watched every other space movie on the list, go for it. Otherwise, your time is better spent elsewhere.
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