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Quizzes > Movies

Apollo 13 movie questions: how well do you know the film?

Quick, free quiz to test your Apollo 13 trivia. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Fatma KadayifciUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of Apollo 13 spacecraft orbiting the moon above Earth on sky blue background for movie quiz

This Apollo 13 movie quiz helps you check what you remember from launch to splashdown. Answer short questions, see instant results, and pick up a few facts along the way. If you like space stories, try our Interstellar quiz or a NASA quiz, and for more Tom Hanks, take the Forrest Gump quiz.

Who directed the film Apollo 13?
Steven Spielberg
Ridley Scott
James Cameron
Ron Howard
Apollo 13 was directed by Ron Howard, known for his work on other historical dramas like A Beautiful Mind. Howard aimed to balance technical accuracy with human drama in the film. He worked closely with NASA advisers to capture the mission's tension and realism.
Which actor portrays astronaut Jim Lovell in Apollo 13?
Bill Paxton
Tom Hanks
Ed Harris
Kevin Bacon
Tom Hanks famously played Jim Lovell, delivering a nuanced performance of the mission commander under extreme pressure. His performance earned critical acclaim and contributed to the film's emotional impact. Hanks trained with real astronauts to portray Lovell authentically.
In what year was Apollo 13 released in theaters?
1997
1996
1995
1994
Apollo 13 premiered in 1995 and became one of that year's biggest box-office hits. The film debuted in June 1995, close to the 25th anniversary of the actual mission's launch. Its release timing contributed to renewed public interest in NASA's history.
Which famous line is spoken by Jack Swigert after the oxygen tank explosion?
"Failure is not an option."
"Let's get them home."
"Houston, we have a problem."
"We've got a bad hatch seal."
In the film, Jack Swigert (played by Kevin Bacon) says "Houston, we have a problem" immediately after the explosion. The real-life phrase was slightly different - spoken by Jim Lovell - but the film popularized the Swigert version. It remains one of cinema's most famous lines.
What is the call sign of the Command Module in the film?
Odyssey
Aquarius
Columbia
Endeavour
The Command Module's call sign in Apollo 13 is Odyssey. The Lunar Module was called Aquarius. These names were chosen by the crew before launch and are used throughout the mission dialogue.
Which actor portrays Flight Director Gene Kranz in Apollo 13?
Ed Harris
John Lithgow
Gary Sinise
Tom Sizemore
Ed Harris delivers a commanding performance as Gene Kranz, the real-life Flight Director at Mission Control. Harris's portrayal emphasizes Kranz's leadership during the crisis. He wore Kranz's signature white vest to replicate his look.
What is the name of the Lunar Module used by the crew in the movie?
Odyssey
Challenger
Discovery
Aquarius
The Lunar Module that the crew uses as a lifeboat is named Aquarius. It provided necessary life-support and propulsion to get the astronauts back to the Command Module for Earth re-entry. In the film, its limited power and consumables create dramatic tension.
Which book served as the primary source for the Apollo 13 screenplay?
Rocket Men by Craig Nelson
Carrying the Fire by Michael Collins
Lost Moon by Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger
Failure Is Not an Option by Gene Kranz
The film is based on Lost Moon, a memoir by astronaut Jim Lovell and author Jeffrey Kluger. It details the true story of the near-disastrous Apollo 13 mission. Gene Kranz's memoir was published later and was not the primary source for the screenplay.
What causes the initial malfunction on Apollo 13?
A computer software glitch
A faulty heat shield
An oxygen tank explosion
A broken radio antenna
The crisis begins when an oxygen tank in the Service Module explodes. This explosion damages fuel cells, disables power generation, and depletes breathable air. The rest of the movie focuses on how NASA and the crew work around the damage.
Which composer wrote the musical score for Apollo 13?
James Horner
John Williams
Hans Zimmer
Alan Silvestri
James Horner composed the score for Apollo 13, blending orchestral themes with atmospheric sounds to heighten the drama. His work complements the tension and emotion of the story. The soundtrack was nominated for several awards.
What does the console acronym "EECOM" stand for in Mission Control scenes?
Environmental Equipment and Controls Operations Manager
Engineering, Environment and Consumables Officer
Electrical, Environmental and Consumables Manager
Electrical Equipment and Communications Officer
EECOM in Mission Control stands for Electrical, Environmental and Consumables Manager. That flight controller monitored the spacecraft's power, life-support, and consumables systems. The film's set replicated these console labels for authenticity.
How do the astronauts jury-rig the CO2 scrubber adapters in the Lunar Module?
By using spare heated ventilation hoses
By using flight plan covers, duct tape, and plastic bags to fit square filters into round openings
By rewiring the life-support console to bypass the filters
By disconnecting one of the oxygen tanks and repurposing it
The film dramatizes how engineers on the ground instruct the crew to build an adapter from available items: flight plan binders, duct tape, maps, and plastic bags. This real-life improvisation prevented CO2 poisoning. It's one of the most celebrated engineering feats from the mission.
Which facility's building did the production use to recreate Mission Control?
Building 3 at Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Building 1 at Kennedy Space Center
Building 30 at Johnson Space Center
Building 7 at Marshall Space Flight Center
The film's Mission Control sets were built inside Building 30 at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. This is the real facility where flight controllers monitored Apollo missions. Using the authentic location added realism to the movie.
What immediate consequence do the astronauts face after the oxygen tank explosion?
Failure of the lunar landing radar
Loss of electrical power and oxygen
Separation of Service Module from Command Module
Automatic deployment of the heat shield
When the tank explodes, it damages the fuel cells that generate electricity and depletes the oxygen supply. This forces the crew to power down the Command Module and use the Lunar Module as a lifeboat. The dual loss of power and oxygen is central to the mission's crisis.
According to the film's on-screen display, what was Apollo 13's NASA serial number?
AS-509
AS-508
AS-507
AS-506
Apollo 13's official NASA designation was AS-508, indicating it was the eighth Saturn V launch. The film displays this number during launch and mission-control sequences. Correct serial numbering is one of many technical details replicated in production.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Pivotal Scenes -

    Identify and describe the key moments featured in our Apollo 13 movie questions quiz, reinforcing your grasp of the film's storyline.

  2. Identify Central Characters -

    Match each character to their mission role and leadership qualities through targeted Apollo 13 trivia.

  3. Analyze Technical Details -

    Break down the spaceflight terminology and mission procedures tested in this Apollo 13 quiz for deeper understanding.

  4. Evaluate Dramatic Tension -

    Assess how specific film scenes heighten suspense in the Apollo 13 movie quiz questions and what makes them memorable.

  5. Apply Iconic Quotes -

    Recall and use famous lines from the Apollo 13 movie quiz to appreciate the film's dialogue and cultural impact.

  6. Track Trivia Performance -

    Measure your score on Apollo 13 film trivia questions to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Historical Accuracy vs. Artistic License -

    The film's April 11 - 17, 1970 mission timeline is drawn directly from NASA mission transcripts (NASA.gov), but some events are chronologically shifted for dramatic pacing. For instance, the oxygen tank explosion is depicted earlier in the narrative than in real life to heighten tension in Apollo 13 trivia. Understanding these tweaks will sharpen your apollo 13 movie quiz questions expertise.

  2. Iconic Quotation Origins -

    The line "Houston, we have a problem" is a slightly altered version of astronaut Jack Swigert's 1970 report - he actually said, "Okay, Houston, we've had a problem here." (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum). Remembering this nuance is a handy mnemonic for nailing Apollo 13 film trivia questions.

  3. Zero-Gravity Simulation Techniques -

    Director Ron Howard used NASA's KC-135 "vomit comet" flights to recreate weightlessness, an approach detailed in American Cinematographer journals. Each parabola provided only 20 - 30 seconds of microgravity, requiring actors to time their movements precisely - a key behind-the-scenes fact in any apollo 13 movie questions round.

  4. Consultation with Real Astronauts -

    Tom Hanks, Gary Sinise, and the cast trained at Johnson Space Center under guidance from veteran astronauts like Gene Kranz (JSC archives). This direct mentorship informed accurate cockpit procedures, giving movie buffs authentic Apollo 13 quiz content to explore.

  5. Survival Timeline Mnemonic -

    To remember the mission's critical seven-day window (April 11 - 17, 1970), use "Seven Days to Save Our Ship" as a catchy phrase. This simple mnemonic helps you recall the duration and stakes when tackling apollo 13 trivia or preparing apollo 13 movie quiz questions.

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