The Jumanji series is a truly classic adventure, starting with the beloved 1995 film starring Robin Williams, which was based on Chris Van Allsburg’s original children’s book. It’s grown over the years to include animated shows and newer movies led by Dwayne Johnson. Now, with a fifth Jumanji film, Jumanji: Open World, on the way, fans are getting a chance to revisit a surprisingly overlooked spin-off filled with stars.
Following the popularity of the original Jumanji film, the story continued with Zathura: A Space Adventure in 2005. This standalone movie featured rising stars like Josh Hutcherson and Kristen Stewart (who would later appear in The Hunger Games and Twilight), along with Dax Shepard and Tim Robbins. Directed by Jon Favreau, Zathura is similar to Jumanji, but set in space. It tells the story of two brothers who find themselves on a thrilling adventure through the cosmos when they begin playing a mysterious board game, and they must learn to cooperate to overcome the dangers they face. While often forgotten in the Jumanji series, Zathura is now available to stream for free on Pluto TV as of May 1st.
Zathura: A Space Adventure Is an Overlooked Sci-Fi Adventure Gem
Despite being a solid film, Zathura: A Space Adventure often gets overlooked compared to the other Jumanji movies, particularly the recent ones. If you enjoyed Jumanji, you’ll likely enjoy Zathura too. It captures the same exciting premise – a magical game creating real-world trouble – but takes the action into space, immediately throwing the characters into non-stop danger until the game is complete. While the newer Jumanji films lean towards action and comedy, Zathura centers on the bond between brothers Danny and Walter, and how they grow closer throughout their adventure.
With strong direction by Jon Favreau, a blend of nostalgia and fresh adventure, and impressive practical effects, Zathura is arguably one of the best films in the Jumanji series. It currently shares the top spot with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, boasting a “Certified Fresh” rating of 77% on Rotten Tomatoes. Best of all, it’s a self-contained story, so you don’t need to have seen the original 1995 Jumanji or the newer films to enjoy it.
Other Sci-Fi Movies Now on Pluto TV
Pluto TV has added a bunch of new sci-fi movies this May, and Zathura: A Space Adventure is just one example. You can now stream films like Congo, Project Almanac, Ultraviolet, and the 2005 version of War of the Worlds, all for free.
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2026-05-02 19:12