2001: A Space Odyssey

2001: A Space Odyssey is a science fiction film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick, released in 1968. The, by Arthur C. Clarke, was written concurrently with the development of the film and was published after the film's release. A sequel to the novel, titled , appeared in 1982 and was adapted into a in 1984. Clarke went on to write two additional sequels in the, ' and ', neither of which has been adapted into a movie.

The film tells the story of the spaceship , which is en route to Jupiter ostensibly on a scientific mission. The main characters are astronaut David Bowman and HAL 9000, the ship's computer. The mission's true purpose (unbeknownst to Bowman but known to HAL) is to investigate the intelligence behind a mysterious black monolith that sent a radio signal to the outer reaches of the solar system and also (as shown in the film) influenced humanity's pre-history. HAL malfunctions due to the mission's need for secrecy being incompatible with his programming, and Bowman is forced to deactivate him. Bowman reaches Jupiter, discovers another monolith in orbit about the planet, and leaves the ship in an EVA pod. When Bowman approaches the monolith, he inadvertently activates a stargate which sends him across vast distances of space. In the end, Bowman unites with the alien intelligence behind the monoliths and becomes a fetus-like Star Child which is seen floating in space near Earth in the movie's final scene.

2001: A Space Odyssey did very well at the box office and was the highest-grossing film in North America in 1968. It has since been regarded as a landmark in the sci-fi genre and one of the most influential movies of all time. Among other things, it was noted for its then ground-breaking special and visual effects, scientifically accurate depiction of space travel, and use of classical music in the score. Two of the best-known musical themes from the film are "", which is the waltz heard when the "space plane" docks with the space station; and , the fanfare heard during the film's opening and closing scenes. Also sprach Zarathustra has achieved iconic status in popular culture and become the de facto theme of 2001.

2001: A Space Odyssey has been referred to several times in Simpsons media.