Zathura: A Space Adventure

Two brothers, Walter and Danny Budwing, are left with their teenage sister Lisa when their dad has to work late. They expect a dull afternoon until they discover Zathura, a space themed board game that seems ordinary at first. As the game comes to life, a strange energy erupts and the house is swept away into a void of stars. With survival on their minds, the kids realize they must finish the game to get home. An on screen astronaut appears as a mentor, guiding them through stellar perils and unexpected dangers while the siblings learn to rely on one another. The stakes feel personal as the kids learn to trust each other again.

Directed by Jon Favreau and drawn from Chris van Allsburg's book, Zathura arrived in 2005 as a family friendly space adventure. The cast includes Josh Hutcherson and Jonah Bobo as the brothers, with Dax Shepard portraying the astronaut and Kristen Stewart alongside Tim Robbins. The film blends practical effects with live action to create a vivid celestial playground that appeals to both kids and parents watching together.

Zathura stands out for mixing family humor with real peril in a space setting. Its practical effects and vivid visuals helped a younger generation latch onto science fiction for kids, aided by the performances of Kristen Stewart and Josh Hutcherson, and its memorable imagery of a house adrift among stars.

Critics greeted Zathura with mixed notices, while audiences gave it a fair vote of about 6.4 out of 10 from thousands of votes. The movie centers on siblings learning to cooperate under pressure and take responsibility, with a stabilizing sister figure who keeps the family together. Its mix of peril, humor and teamwork makes it appealing to families seeking optimistic thrills.

Box office figures show a worldwide gross close to the production budget, with roughly 65 million earned against a 65 million budget. The film performed modestly in theaters and found a longer life on home video and television, continuing to entertain new generations.