Search for the stars this August with a 25th anniversary screening of the celebrity-laden sci-fi thriller Deep Impact hosted by Danita Steinberg and Emily Gagne.

Directed by Mimi Leder (The Peacemaker, Pay it Forward, On the Basis of Sex), Deep Impact came out the same year as Armageddon, a dire consequence of the late ‘90s disaster boom coming to a head. But Deep Impact has what Armageddon does not, not only offering a look into how an ELE (a.k.a. Extinction Level Event) affects those brave individuals sent into space to combat it, but also the real people on the ground who uncovered and exposed its existence. What’s more, astronomers have said it's “more scientifically accurate” than its Aerosmith-soundtracked peer, with many consultants working behind the scenes to ensure this.

Tethered by Téa Leoni as journalist Jenny Lerner, Deep Impact follows multiple groups of people in the lead up to a huge comet hitting Earth. As Jenny attempts to get the word out about this, she comes up against the FBI and President Tom Beck (Morgan Freeman), who want to avoid mass panic as long as they can. Once the word finally gets out, it’s a race against time as a crew of astronauts (including Blair Underwood, Mary McCormack and Jon Favreau) head out on what might be their final flight and families around the world (cue a teenage Elijah Wood) scramble to get to an underground shelter.

Despite going head-to-head with Armageddon at the 1998 summer box office, Deep Impact broke records, earning the title of biggest opening weekend for a film directed by a woman (an honour it would hold until Twilight’s release 10 years later). And while it’s definitely over-the-top upon reflection, it is also surprisingly moving, ringing especially true as we continue to navigate a worldwide crisis that continues to take lives. (EMILY GAGNE & DANITA STEINBERG)

ABOUT THE FILM

DEEP IMPACT

USA | 1998 | 120 minutes | PG

Directed by: Mimi Leder

Starring: Téa Leoni, Morgan Freeman, Elijah Wood