 | Jodie Foster als Ellie Arroway |
 | Matthew McConaughey als Palmer Joss |
 | James Woods als Michael Kitz |
 | John Hurt als S. R. Hadden |
 | Tom Skerritt als David Drumlin |
 | William Fichtner als Kent |
 | David Morse als Ted Arroway |
 | Angela Bassett als Rachel Constantine |
 | Geoffrey Blake als Fisher |
 | Max Martini als Willie |
 | Rob Lowe als Richard Rank |
 | Jake Busey als Joseph |
 | Tucker Smallwood als Mission Director |
 | Jena Malone als Young Ellie |
 | Sami Chester als Vernon |
| Timothy McNeil als Davio |
| Laura Elena Surillo als Cantina Woman |
 | Henry Strozier als Minister |
 | Larry King als Larry King |
 | Thomas Garner als Ian Broderick |
| Conroy Chino als KOB-TV Reporter |
| Dan Gifford als Jeremy Roth |
 | Vance Valencia als Senator Valencia |
 | Donna Kelley als Donna Kelley |
| Leon Harris als Leon Harris |
 | Claire Shipman als Claire Shipman |
| Behrooz Afrakhan als Middle Eastern Anchor |
 | Saemi Nakamura als Japanese Anchor |
| Maria Celeste Arraras als Latina Anchor |
 | Tabitha Soren als Tabitha Soren |
 | Geraldo Rivera als Geraldo Rivera |
 | Ian Whitcomb als British Anchor |
 | Jay Leno als Jay Leno |
| Natalie Allen als Natalie Allen |
| Robert D. Novak als Robert D. Novak |
 | Geraldine A. Ferraro als Geraldine A. Ferraro |
 | Ann Druyan als Ann Druyan |
| Kathleen Kennedy als Kathleen Kennedy |
 | Michael Albala als Decryption Hacker |
| Ned Netterville als Decryption Expert |
 | Leo Lee als Major Domo |
 | William Jordan als Chairman of Joint Chiefs |
 | David St. James als Joint Chief |
| Jill Dougherty als Jill Dougherty |
 | Haynes Brooke als Drumlin Aide |
| John Holliman als John Holliman |
| Bobbie Battista als Bobbie Battista |
 | Dee Dee Myers als Dee Dee Myers |
 | Bryant Gumbel als Bryant Gumbel |
| Linden Soles als Linden Soles |
 | Steven Ford als Major Russell |
| Alexander Zemeckis als Major Russell's Son |
| Janie Peterson als Major Russell's Daughter |
| Philippe Bergeron als French Committee Member |
 | Jennifer Balgobin als Dr. Patel |
| Anthony Hamilton als British Committee Member |
| Rebecca T. Beucler als NASA Public Relations |
 | Marc Macaulay als NASA Technician |
| Pamela Wilsey als Voice of NASA (voice) |
 | Jeffery Thomas Johnson als Mechanical |
 | Yuji Okumoto als Electrical |
| Gerry Griffin als Dynamics |
| Brian Alston als Communications |
 | Rob Elk als Pad Leader |
| Mark Thomason als Security |
| José Rey als Controller #8 |
| Todd Patrick Breaugh als New VLA Technician |
 | Alex Veadov als Russian Cosmonaut |
| Alice Kushida als Scientist |
 | Robin Gammell als Project Official |
| Richardson Morse als Mission Doctor |
| Seiji Okamura als Japanese Ensign |
 | Bernard Shaw als Bernard Shaw |
| Mak Takano als Japanese Tech #1 |
| Hiroshi Tom Tanaka als Japanese Tech #2 |
 | Catherine Dao als Life Support |
| Kristoffer Ryan Winters als Dynamics #2 |
 | Valorie Armstrong als Woman Senator |
| Jim Hild als Reporter #5 |
 | William L. Thomas als Reporter #6 |
| Diego Montoya als School Boy |
| Jonathan Adler als White House Official (uncredited) |
| Robert Aguilar Jr. als NASA Controller #2 (uncredited) |
| Mark Bailey als Four-Star General (uncredited) |
| Matt Bennett als Senate Observer (uncredited) |
| Tony Boldi als Robert Hand (uncredited) |
 | Christopher Boyer als Scientist (uncredited) |
| Christine Brady als White House Official (uncredited) |
| Ray Buffer als Press Reporter (uncredited) |
| Mark Byrne als Protester (uncredited) |
| Candice T. Cain als Supporter (uncredited) |
| Michael Chaban als Hadden Suit (uncredited) |
 | Aixa Clemente als President's Secretary (uncredited) |
 | Bill Clinton als Self (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| Derrick Damions als Ailing Believer (uncredited) |
 | Elaina Erika Davis als Philanthropy Bureaucrat (uncredited) |
| Joey Dente als Factory Worker (uncredited) |
| Michael Egan als IMC Police Officer (uncredited) |
| Jeff Elmore als Monk (uncredited) |
| Pamela Fischer als Pedestrian (uncredited) |
 | Carl Gilliard als Controller (uncredited) |
| William B. Kaplan als TV Interviewer (uncredited) |
 | Boris Lee Krutonog als Astronaut (uncredited) |
 | Ming Lo als Pod Systems Control (uncredited) |
 | Sunshine Logroño als Puerto Rican Taxi Driver (uncredited) |
 | Denise Loveday als Press Secretary (uncredited) |
 | Neal Matarazzo als Kitz's Aide (uncredited) |
 | Cassidy McMillan als Student Reporter at NASA (uncredited) |
| Bill Miller als Reporter (uncredited) |
| Molly Mueller als Family Exchange (uncredited) |
 | Paul L. Nolan als Ellie's Attorney (uncredited) |
 | Marisa Petroro als Oval Office Secretary (uncredited) |
| Errica Poindexter als Police Officer (uncredited) |
 | J.A. Preston als Senator (uncredited) |
| Frank Principe als Ailing Believer (uncredited) |
| Billy Quinn als Security Guard (uncredited) |
 | Thomas Reid als Senate Hearing (uncredited) |
| Leo Rogstad als Ailing Believer (uncredited) |
| Russell Sanderlin Sr. als Photographer (uncredited) |
 | Frank Silva als Army Officer (uncredited) |
| John A. Taylor als Senate Hearing Attendee (uncredited) |
 | Todd Thompson als News Reporter (uncredited) |
 | Cenk Uygur als Reporter (uncredited) |
 | Holly Cross Vagley als Religious Zealot (uncredited) |
| Eric Alan Wendell als Protester (uncredited) |
 | Delaney Williams als Believer #1 (uncredited) |
| Gregory L. Williams als Extra (uncredited) |
| Don Burgess | Director of Photography |
| Arthur Schmidt | Editor |
| Steve Starkey | Producer |
| Carl Sagan | Novel |
| Michael Goldenberg | Screenplay |
| James V. Hart | Screenplay |
| Robert Zemeckis | Producer |
| Alan Silvestri | Original Music Composer |
| Robert Zemeckis | Director |
| Victoria Burrows | Casting |
| Joanna Johnston | Costume Design |
| Marzette Bonar | Special Effects |
| Margaret E. Elliott | Makeup Artist |
| Scott E. Handt | Construction Foreman |
| Frank McEldowney | Greensman |
| David Manhan | Leadman |
| Jay Redd | Sequence Supervisor |
| Michael Taylor | Set Decoration |
| David Jones | Sequence Supervisor |
| Michael Noles | Video Assist Operator |
| Steven J. Winslow | Camera Technician |
| Rand R. Vargas | Rigging Grip |
| Kenneth Karman | Music Editor |
| Roxanna Floyd | Makeup Artist |
| Doug J. Meerdink | Assistant Art Director |
| Sally Thornton | Assistant Art Director |
| Randy Thom | Sound Re-Recording Mixer |
| C. Marie Davis | Visual Effects Producer |
| Kee-Suk 'Ken' Hahn | Sequence Supervisor |
| Stephen Rosenbaum | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| Michael Douglas Middleton | Still Photographer |
| Tim Monich | Dialect Coach |
| Gary Rizzo | Sound Re-Recording Mixer |
| Dennis S. Sands | Sound Re-Recording Mixer |
| Ariel Velasco-Shaw | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| Paul Pav | Location Manager |
| Audrey L. Anzures | Hairstylist |
| Josh Lusby | Set Designer |
| Betty Brikowski | Costume Supervisor |
| Jerrold F. Brooks | Construction Foreman |
| Evelyne Barbier | Set Designer |
| Eric Cook | Special Effects Coordinator |
| Joe Matza | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| François Duhamel | Still Photographer |
| Kristen Pratt | Set Designer |
| Heather J. Morrison | Visual Effects Editor |
| Bud Davis | Stunt Coordinator |
| Carin-Anne Strohmaier | First Assistant Editor |
| Joel Marrow | Transportation Coordinator |
| Luca Kouimelis | Script Supervisor |
| Carolyn Elias | Hairstylist |
| Douglas Murray | Sound Effects Editor |
| Matt Aitken | CG Supervisor |
| Mark S. Miller | Visual Effects Producer |
| Laurence Treweek | Sequence Supervisor |
| Kenneth Jones | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| Taryn Weaver | Set Costumer |
| Brad Ricker | Assistant Art Director |
| Hap Weaver | Greensman |
| Mariko Braswell | Set Designer |
| Allen E. Taylor | Production Accountant |
| Michael Diersing | Construction Coordinator |
| Tom Johnson | Sound Re-Recording Mixer |
| Kosta Saric | Visual Effects Editor |
| Lauren Alexandra Ritchie | Visual Effects Supervisor |
| Randy Thom | Sound Designer |
| Debbie Denise | Visual Effects Producer |
| David Presley | Video Assist Operator |
| Pamela Wise | Costume Supervisor |
| Steve Ellsworth | Set Costumer |
| Dean Wolcott | Set Designer |
| Mark O'Kane | Steadicam Operator |
| Peggy Pridemore | Location Manager |
| Deborah La Mia Denaver | Makeup Artist |
| James F. Claytor Sr. | Set Designer |
| Marian Wilde | Sound Effects Editor |
| Robert LaBonge | Camera Operator |
| Nick Phillips | Camera Operator |
| Kenn Smiley | Set Costumer |
| Jeremiah O'Driscoll | First Assistant Editor |
| Jane E. Russell | Unit Publicist |
| Bruce Crone | Art Direction |
| Lawrence A. Hubbs | Art Direction |
| Easton Michael Smith | Set Designer |
| Michael McGovern | Visual Effects Editor |
| Frances Mathias | Hairstylist |
| Beth Bernstein | Art Department Coordinator |
| Sam Richards | Sequence Supervisor |
| Gregory Lundsgaard | Steadicam Operator |
| Patricia Bercsi | Set Costumer |
| Ed Verreaux | Production Design |
| Jean-Luc Russier | Makeup Artist |
| Phil Benson | Supervising Sound Editor |
| Steve Boeddeker | Sound Effects Editor |
| Teresa Eckton | Sound Effects Editor |
| Julia Frey | Visual Effects Producer |
| Josh Bleibtreu | Camera Operator |
| R. Orlando Duenas | First Assistant Editor |
| Luz Eneida Nuñez | Location Manager |
| Joan Bradshaw | Executive Producer |
| Carl Sagan | Co-Producer |
| Lynda Obst | Executive Producer |
| Steven J. Boyd | Associate Producer |
| Rick Porras | Associate Producer |
| Kathryn Blondell | Key Hair Stylist |
| Allen Hall | Special Effects Supervisor |
| Carl Sagan | Story |
| George Denes Suhayda | Conceptual Design |
| Ines Mongil-Echandi | Production Office Coordinator |
| Robert E. Denne | Standby Painter |
| William Ross | Orchestrator |
| Jeff Deyoe | Mechanical Designer |
| Kathleen Beall | Location Scout |
| Edward J. Ertel | Projection |
| Timothy Wilcox | 3D Artist |
| Randy Cantor | Transportation Captain |
| Scot Boland | Casting Associate |
| Darcy Fray | Production Coordinator |
| Kent Brown | Assistant Sound Editor |
| William B. Kaplan | Production Sound Mixer |
| Martin A. Kline | Visual Effects Art Director |
| Michael Condro | First Assistant Camera |
| Jessica Fasman | Assistant Costume Designer |
| Keith VanderLaan | Prosthetic Makeup Artist |
| Bill Feightner | Technical Supervisor |
| Dave Mikutsky | Electrician |
| Earl Sampson | Boom Operator |
| Mark Marcum | 24 Frame Playback |
| Tim Alexander | Digital Compositors |
| Jay Caputo | Stunts |
| John B. Josselyn | Art Department Assistant |
| Allen E. Taylor | Production Controller |
| David Diaz | Transportation Co-Captain |
| Joan Bradshaw | Unit Production Manager |
| Kevin LaRosa | Aerial Coordinator |
| Steve Smith | Key Grip |
| Thomas C. Mentzer | Carpenter |
| Dan Brizendine | Driver |
| Rob Engle | Software Engineer |
| David Morton | Gaffer |
| Jeff Johnson | Set Medic |
| Randolph Saucedo | Sound Recordist |
| Bob Putynkowski | Color Timer |
| Wayne Eaton | Propmaker |
| Dawn Guinta | Production Supervisor |
| Harry Keramidas | Additional Editing |
| James Conroy | Grip |
| Victor Jimenez | Digital Effects Supervisor |
| Theresa Corrao | Visual Effects Coordinator |
| Nannette Rosa Collazo | Unit Manager |
| Michelle Vogler | Set Production Assistant |
| Michael Egan | Stand In |
| Lindakay Brown | ADR Editor |
| Bruce Moriarty | First Assistant Director |
| Ann Druyan | Co-Producer |
| Sue Fox | Supervising ADR Editor |
| Steve Starkey | Second Unit Director |
| Ann Druyan | Story |
| Michael Silvers | Dialogue Editor |
| Ewa Sztompke | Dialogue Editor |
| Robin L. Miller | Property Master |
| Barbara McBane | Dialogue Editor |
| Darryl Henley | Storyboard Artist |
| Clyde Miller | Assistant Camera |
| Primrose Fukuchi | Location Assistant |
| Kevin Bowe | Assistant Accountant |
| Steve Burg | Concept Artist |
| Doreen Austria | Graphic Designer |
| Hope Slepak | Costumer |
| Nina Saxon | Title Designer |
| Charleen Richards-Steeves | ADR Mixer |
| Cheryl Nardi | First Assistant Sound Editor |
| Charlie Bonilla | Special Effects Assistant |
| Nikki Dalmau | Casting Coordinator |
| Cellin Gluck | Second Assistant Director |
| Richard Kriegler | Conceptual Illustrator |
| Steven C. McGee | Chief Lighting Technician |
| Nick Booth | Production Assistant |
| Michael L. Fink | Senior Visual Effects Supervisor |
| Jana Lynn Gold | Assistant Editor |
| Robert Cable | Second Assistant Accountant |
| Nigel Boyd | Key Costumer |
| Mary Works | Assistant Dialogue Editor |
| Catherine Harper | Foley Artist |
| Mo Henry | Negative Cutter |
| Kristin Dehnert | Assistant Location Manager |
| Bart Giovanetti | Compositing Supervisor |
| Frank D. Parrish | Second Assistant Camera |
| John Nicolard | Digital Color Timer |
| William Cueto | Assistant Chief Lighting Technician |
| Carley A. Berkman | Production Secretary |
| Gerardo Rosette | Tailor |
| Jeff 'Moose' Howery | Dolly Grip |
| Carl Catanese | Set Buyer |
| Charlie Clavadetscher | Matchmove Supervisor |
| Mark Jan Wlodarkiewicz | Temp Sound Editor |
| Peter Jackson | Additional Visual Effects |
| Kelly Granite | Visual Effects Compositor |
| J.W. Kompare | Visual Effects Editor |
| Craig A. Mumma | Digital Effects Producer |
| Maura Alvarez | Rotoscoping Artist |
| Clifton T. Cooper | Assistant Property Master |
| Tony Eckert | Foley Mixer |
| Roland Blancaflor | Special Effects Technician |
| Robin Richesson | Costume Illustrator |
| Mimi Medel | Visual Effects Production Manager |
| Renton-Paul Medcalf | Best Boy Grip |
| Judd Nissen | Travel Coordinator |
| Darin Rivetti | Second Second Assistant Director |
| Christopher Casey | Swing |
| Judith Bouley | Additional Casting |
| Kim Robert Koscki | Stunts |
| Dan Plum | Stunts |
| Lynn Salvatori | Stunts |
| Jill Stokesberry | Stunts |
| Lucille OuYang | Second Assistant Director |
| Janice Alexander | Hairstylist |
| Vivian McAteer | Hairstylist |
| Hallie D'Amore | Key Makeup Artist |
| Barbara Lacy | Makeup Artist |
| Alison C. Rosa | Second Second Assistant Director |
| Gary Rizzo | Additional Sound Re-Recording Mixer |
| Andrew Cowitt | Assistant Sound Editor |
| David Dresher | Assistant Sound Editor |
| Karen Harding | Assistant Sound Editor |
| Stephen Kearney | Assistant Sound Editor |
| Susan Popovic | Assistant Sound Editor |
| Mary Works | Assistant Sound Editor |
| Peggy Names | Cableman |
| Dennie Thorpe | Foley Artist |
| Sara Bolder | Foley Editor |
| Bruce Lacey | Foley Editor |
| Mary Helen Leasman | Foley Editor |
| Tony Sereno | Foley Mixer |
| Ira Toles | 24 Frame Playback |
| Mark Wineman | 24 Frame Playback |
| Douglas W. Smith | Electrician |
| Ned Martin | First Assistant Camera |
| Tony Rivetti Sr. | First Assistant Camera |
| Michael A. FauntLeRoy Sr. | First Assistant Camera |
| Chad Rivetti | Second Assistant Camera |
| Sara Gardner-Gail | Set Dresser |
| John P. Cazin | Pyrotechnician |
| Spencer Knapp | 3D Animator |
| Dylan Robinson | 3D Animator |
| Geoffrey Harvey | 3D Animator |
| Stephen Kennedy | Compositing Supervisor |
| M. Scott McKee | Compositing Supervisor |
| Joel Aron | CG Artist |
| Gregor Lakner | CG Artist |
| Robert Weaver | CG Artist |
| Ron Brinkmann | CG Supervisor |
| Jerome Chen | CG Supervisor |
| John Rauh | Digital Compositor |
| Jeff Doran | Digital Compositor |
| Jean François Fontaine | Digital Compositor |
| David Stump | VFX Director of Photography |
| Gimo Chanphianamvong | Rotoscoping Artist |
| Joanie Karnowski | Rotoscoping Artist |
| Aaron Smith | Rotoscoping Artist |
| Lisa Kahatriya | Rotoscoping Artist |
| Mary Nelson | Roto Supervisor |
| Ken Ralston | Senior Visual Effects Supervisor |
| Dawn Llewellyn | Visual Effects Editor |
| Gary Archer | Prosthetics |
| Kirk A. Holland | Transportation Captain |
| John Wright | Craft Service |
