On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a "Certified Fresh" approval rating of 98% based on 40 reviews, with an average rating of 7.20/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Much like the cosmic debris it investigates, Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds is made up of heavy stuff -- but it lights up the screen thanks to Werner Herzog's infectious awe."[7] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 72 out of 100, based on 17 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[8]