James Cameron is widely considered one of the 21st century’s top directors, thanks to blockbuster films like Titanic, Avatar, and The Terminator. However, a lesser-known film from the 1980s remains his most debated work. It recently became available to stream on Tubi after being removed from another service due to a controversial scene.
The film in question is James Cameron’s 1989 sci-fi classic, The Abyss. It follows a civilian diving team sent to recover a nuclear submarine during the Cold War, who unexpectedly encounter an intelligent alien life form in the ocean depths. The Abyss began streaming on Tubi on February 1st, shortly after being removed from Disney+ in the UK due to a remastered scene that broke a decades-old rule against animal cruelty. Beyond its removal from Disney+, the film has generally been hard to find on streaming platforms, with only infrequent availability in the US.
James Cameron’s The Abyss Controversy, Explained
The reason The Abyss was removed from Disney+ in the UK dates back decades and centers on a specific scene. In it, the filmmakers tried to demonstrate how a mammal could breathe liquid – a technology used later by Ed Harris’ character – by submerging a rat in a special fluid. This caused a lot of controversy because a real rat was used. Despite the fact that all the rats involved survived, with experts consulted during the process, many people were concerned about animal welfare. The British Board of Film Classification ultimately banned the scene due to animal cruelty concerns, and it was removed from all versions of the film shown in the UK for decades. This continued until a recent mistake led to the uncut version appearing on Disney+ over the summer.
The recent buzz around the movie’s controversy isn’t the only reason to watch The Abyss. Beyond that, it’s a genuinely excellent and often overlooked film by James Cameron. With a 75% rating from critics and an impressive 83% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, it truly earns its praise. The Abyss showcases Cameron’s commitment to creating visually stunning and immersive experiences, boasting groundbreaking practical effects for its underwater scenes. It also masterfully builds intense tension, all while telling a deeply moving story about a couple struggling with their relationship.
What’s New on Tubi?
Tubi has a large selection of movies, and everything is available to stream without a subscription fee. Recently, on February 1st, they added more science fiction titles like The 5th Wave and A.I. Artificial Intelligence. You can also now stream Marvel’s Runaways, Jurassic World, and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective on Tubi.
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2026-02-13 00:42