Planes reported missing in 1945 suddenly appear in the Mojave desert. A commercial flight is buzzed by a bright object that the pilot doesn't know how to describe. Power company employee Roy Neary has a close encounter himself that same night. Aliens are about to land on the earth. The U.S. Government determines where these visitors plan to disembark and creates an elaborate cover-up to keep people away. However, a dedicated group of people, including Neary, inspired by a shared vision, are themselves drawn to this landing place.