A hugely underrated, very fun sci-fi movie is airing on TV tonight

It’s a must-watch for fans of The Day After Tomorrow and Independence Day.

Our TV movie pick for tonight (Friday, 2 August) is Moonfall, the 2022 sci-fi disaster flick from legend of the sub-genre Roland Emmerich (The Day After Tomorrow, Independence Day, 2012).

The film sees a mysterious force knock the Moon from its orbit, sending the celestial body hurtling on a collision course towards Earth.

“With mere weeks before impact and the world on the brink of annihilation, NASA executive and former astronaut Jo Fowler (Oscar-winner Halle Berry, Monster’s Ball) is convinced she has the key to saving us all,” the plot synopsis reads.

“But only one astronaut from her past, Brian Harper (Patrick Wilson, The Conjuring) and a conspiracy theorist K.C. Houseman (John Bradley, Game of Thrones) believe her.

“These unlikely heroes will mount an impossible last-ditch mission into space, leaving behind everyone they love, only to find out that our Moon is not what we think it is.”

Also featuring amongst its cast Charlie Plummer (All the Money in the World), Donald Sutherland (Backdraft) and Michael Peña (Ant-Man), Moonfall was not a hit at the box office and earned mixed to negative reviews from critics – with many criticising its far-fetched story that only gets more bonkers as it continues.

We’d argue, however, this is exactly what is fun about the movie, along with its amazing special effects and witty script.

Moonfall is airing on TV tonight on Film4 at 9pm. It is also available to stream on Channel 4’s website.

You can also check out below a clip from JOE’s recent interview with its director Roland Emmerich where he discusses The Day After Tomorrow follow-up he wants to make.

Here are the other movies airing on TV tonight:

Rocky Balboa – ITV4 – 9pm

The solid sixth entry in the boxing franchise

Bad Boys II – E4 – 10pm

“Bad boys, bad boys / Whatcha gonna do?”

Mission: Impossible III – Sky Showcase – 10.30pm

Tom Cruise faces off against the late and great Philip Seymour Hoffman in this terrific action spy sequel.

The Wretched – Legend Xtra – 10.55pm

This well-reviewed US horror sees a defiant teenage boy face off with a 1,000-year-old evil witch posing as the neighbor next door.

Official Secrets – BBC Two – 11.05pm

Keira Knightley plays a British Intelligence whistleblower in this acclaimed drama based on true events.

Event Horizon – Film4 – 11.35pm

The cult sci-fi horror we’ve recommended before.