The Glitterball (1977): cast, story & where to watch
1977 · Film · ★ 4.5
Released in 1977, The Glitterball is a family and science fiction film directed by Harley Cokeliss, running about 53 minutes. “Blip... blip... blip... slurp!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. When a group of small aliens accidentally abandons one of their own on Earth, adventurous kids Max and Pete stumble upon the "Glitterball" and attempt to return it to its mother ship. As the children learn more about the friendly alien and its magical powers, they must protect their new companion from an army corporal and a small-time thief who are both hunting the extraterrestrial for their own cruel purposes.
Who’s in it. The Glitterball stars Ben Buckton as Max, Ron Pember as Filthy, Keith Jayne as Pete and Marjorie Yates as Mrs. Fielding, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 4.5/10, The Glitterball has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on BFI Player Amazon Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Glitterball page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Glitterball tend to enjoy Spirited Away, Back to the Future, The Lion King and Coco.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Glitterball (1977)?
- In US, The Glitterball is available to stream on BFI Player Amazon Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Glitterball worth watching?
- The Glitterball holds an audience score of 4.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy family and science fiction. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Glitterball?
- The Glitterball stars Ben Buckton, Ron Pember, Keith Jayne, Marjorie Yates and Barry Jackson.
- When was The Glitterball released?
- The Glitterball was released in 1977, with a runtime of about 53 minutes.