Before Anthony Mackie suits up again as Captain America in Avengers: Doomsday later this year, fans can catch him in one of his most gripping non-superhero roles. The 2017 crime drama Detroit, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow, is set to land on free streaming platform Plex starting June 1, 2026.
Set against the backdrop of the 1967 Detroit riots, the film follows a group of young African American men caught in a harrowing confrontation with law enforcement at the Algiers Motel. Mackie stars alongside John Boyega (of Star Wars fame), Will Poulter, Kaitlyn Dever, and Jason Mitchell in a tense, historically grounded narrative that explores racial tensions and systemic injustice.
Despite earning strong reviews from critics—many praised Bigelow's unflinching direction and the ensemble cast's raw performances—Detroit struggled at the box office. Produced on a reported budget of $40 million, the film grossed just $26 million worldwide, with $16.8 million domestically and $9.2 million overseas. It became one of the year's most notable financial disappointments, but its legacy has only grown over time.
Now, nearly a decade later, audiences have a chance to rediscover this overlooked gem without paying a dime. The free streaming release on Plex gives subscribers—and anyone with an internet connection—access to Bigelow's 143-minute crime epic, which remains as relevant today as it was upon release.
For those who enjoy intense crime dramas, this pairs well with other recent streaming arrivals like Anya Taylor-Joy's forgotten crime gem 'Thoroughbreds' and Gerard Butler's survival thriller 'Plane', both hitting Prime Video this June.
Bigelow, who made history as the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director (for The Hurt Locker), took an eight-year hiatus from feature films after Detroit. She returned in 2025 with A House of Dynamite, a politically charged thriller about nuclear war that became a hit for Netflix despite mixed critical reception. That film starred Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, and Gabriel Basso, and topped U.S. streaming charts.
Meanwhile, Mackie is gearing up for his next MCU appearance in Avengers: Doomsday, set for December 18, 2026. The film features a massive ensemble including Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, and Florence Pugh. But before that, Detroit offers a reminder of Mackie's dramatic range beyond the superhero realm.
If you're in the mood for more overlooked thrillers, check out 5 forgotten '90s thrillers that hit harder today or Bill Skarsgård's gripping crime thriller 'Dead Man's Wire' now streaming on Netflix.
Detroit begins streaming for free on Plex starting June 1, 2026. Don't miss your chance to see this powerful, underrated crime drama.
