Films like 2001: A Space Odyssey and the original Star Wars trilogy are classics of the science fiction genre, celebrated for their stunning visuals and captivating stories. While sci-fi has consistently produced great movies, it’s also seen its share of disappointments. A popular 2005 sci-fi film directed by Steven Spielberg continues to spark debate, and is now available to watch for free with streaming.
Steven Spielberg captivated audiences with classics like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Jurassic Park. But his 2005 film, War of the Worlds, based on the H.G. Wells novel, proved more controversial. The movie follows a divorced, working-class father struggling to keep his children safe during an alien invasion and get them back to their mother. Now, fans can watch War of the Worlds for free, as it’s been added to Tubi’s streaming library as of January 1st.
Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds Divided Critics and Audiences
Despite earning numerous Academy Award nominations and grossing over $603 million worldwide – making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 2005 – War of the Worlds proved to be Steven Spielberg’s most controversial movie to date. Critics generally praised the film, highlighting its themes relevant to the post-9/11 era, Spielberg’s direction, its intensely frightening atmosphere, and focus on characters, resulting in a 76% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audiences were much less enthusiastic, giving it a 42% rating. Many viewers disliked certain characters and found the ending unsatisfying and inconsistent with the film’s tone, making War of the Worlds a remarkably divisive science fiction movie.
Spielberg’s War of the Worlds has gained renewed appreciation and is now often considered a hidden gem – a powerful and gripping film from the early 2000s. Initially criticized for being too depressing, the movie is now seen as a moving reflection of post-9/11 anxieties, brilliantly capturing a constant feeling of fear and panic. Its special effects, especially the Tripods’ design and sounds, are still remarkably impressive. Ultimately, War of the Worlds is a mature and surprisingly dark take on alien invasions, going beyond simple spectacle to delve into themes of trauma, survival, and the depths of human desperation.
Other Sci-Fi Movies Now on Tubi
Tubi is a great, but often overlooked, streaming service for science fiction lovers. They added a bunch of new sci-fi movies in January, including titles like Arrival, Galaxy Quest, the 1998 version of Godzilla, all three original Men in Black films, and Prey. And next month, Tubi will be adding even more, such as The 5th Wave, the 2014 Hercules movie, and The Mortal Instruments.
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2026-01-31 21:17