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The Martian

Movie, 2015, The Near Future, Set in 2035

The Martian is #13 of 18 in release order and #13 of 18 in chronological order in the Space Movies.

The story

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.

The Martian recap

A storm forces the Ares III crew to abandon their Mars mission, and astronaut Mark Watney is struck by debris and left for dead. He wakes up alone, with a long wait until the next mission. Watney, a botanist, grows potatoes in the habitat using the crew's waste and makes water from rocket fuel. NASA spots activity in satellite images, realises he is alive, and decides not to tell his crew, who are on their way home on the Hermes. Watney digs up the old Pathfinder probe to talk to Earth. A breach destroys his crop, and a rushed supply rocket explodes. An astrodynamicist, Rich Purnell, works out a way to slingshot the Hermes back to Mars, and Commander Lewis's crew mutiny to do it.

The Martian ending explained

Watney drives across Mars to the next mission's launch vehicle, strips it down and flies it into orbit, where it falls short. Lewis floats out on a tether and catches him. Five years later, Watney teaches astronaut candidates and the crew have gone on with their lives as Ares V launches.

Post-credits scenes

No. There is no post-credits scene.

Where to watch The Martian

The Martian is streaming on YouTube TV, TNT, TBS, and tru TV in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.

Ratings

IMDb 8.0/10, Rotten Tomatoes 91%

Where it fits

Cast

Directed by Ridley Scott.