The Man Who Fell to Earth
“Power, space, time and a visitor.”
Thomas Jerome Newton is an alien who has come to Earth in search of water to save his home planet. Aided by lawyer Oliver Farnsworth, Thomas uses his knowledge of advanced technology to create profitable inventions. While developing a method to transport water, Thomas meets Mary-Lou, a quiet hotel clerk, and begins to fall in love with her. Just as he is ready to leave Earth, Thomas is intercepted by the U.S. government, and his entire plan is threatened.
Where to watch
Lionsgate+
Stream
BFI Player
Stream
Howdy
Stream
The Roku Channel
Free with ads
The CW
Free with ads
Kanopy
Free
Your rating
Your review
Cast
17 people
David Bowie
Thomas Jerome Newton
Known for
Labyrinth
The Prestige
Rip Torn
Nathan Bryce
Known for
Men in Black II
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story
Candy Clark
Mary-Lou
Known for
Q
American Graffiti
Tony Mascia
Arthur
Also in
Silver Bears
The Equalizer
Buck Henry
Oliver Farnsworth
Known for
The Graduate
Gloria
Bernie Casey
Peters
Known for
In the Mouth of Madness
Never Say Never Again
Adrienne La Russa
Helen
Also in
Centennial
The Conspiracy of Torture
Claudia Jennings
Peters' Wife (uncredited)
Known for
Fast Company
Deathsport
Rick Riccardo
Trevor
No other roles listed
Jim Lovell
James Lovell
Also in
Earthrise
LateLine
Hilary Holland
Jill
Linda Hutton
Elaine
No other roles listed
Nicolas Roeg Director · Paul Mayersberg Screenplay Walter Tevis Author
Budget $1.5M · United States release May 28, 1976 · Produced in United Kingdom, Curaçao
Box office
Budget
$1,500,000
Production
British Lion Films
Production
Houtsnede Maatschappij
Production
United Kingdom · Curaçao
Produced in
Languages
Original language
English
Spoken on screen
English
Release dates
Canada · March 18, 1976
Theatrical
United Kingdom · March 18, 1976
Theatrical
United States · May 28, 1976
Theatrical
United States · August 25, 1998
Physical
Argentina
November 1, 1979 · Theatrical
Australia
May 1, 1976 · Theatrical
Brazil
May 12, 1976 · Theatrical
Czechia
January 21, 2000 · Limited theatrical · Projekt 100
Denmark
June 7, 1976 · Theatrical
France
July 5, 1977 · Theatrical
Germany
August 19, 1976 · Theatrical
Greece
May 15, 2005 · Physical · DVD
Ireland
November 5, 1976 · Theatrical
Italy
April 8, 1976 · Theatrical
Japan
February 11, 1977 · Theatrical
January 16, 1999 · Theatrical · Re-release
July 16, 2016 · Theatrical · Restored version
Netherlands
May 26, 1976 · Theatrical
September 13, 2007 · Physical · DVD
September 17, 2014 · Physical · Blu ray
March 12, 2026 · Theatrical · 50th anniversary re-release, 4K
Portugal
February 23, 1979 · Theatrical
Sweden
October 10, 1976 · Theatrical
Türkiye
December 6, 1976 · Theatrical
United Kingdom
October 19, 2026 · Physical · 50th Anniversary 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
More from Nicolas Roeg
Other films they directed, best known first.
If you liked The Man Who Fell to Earth
Picks that share its genres, themes, cast and crew.
Some details come from TheTVDB.