There's a fine line between a movie that's so bad it's good and one that's just plain bad. For every Masters of the Universe that leans into its campy charm and wins over audiences, there's a Gods of Egypt—a film that tried to be epic but ended up as a punchline. Now, a decade after its release, this Gerard Butler-led fantasy flop is finding new life on free streaming.
Released in 2016, Gods of Egypt was directed by Alex Proyas, the visionary behind cult classics like Dark City and The Crow, as well as the Will Smith blockbuster I, Robot. But after the Nicolas Cage sci-fi Knowing was criticized for taking itself too seriously, Proyas doubled down with this Egyptian mythology-inspired spectacle. The result? A $140 million budget that grossed just $150 million worldwide and a 15% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film starred Brenton Thwaites and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as mortal and god, respectively, with Gerard Butler hamming it up as the villainous Set. Chadwick Boseman also appeared as Thoth, though this was before his star-making turn as Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War. The cast was stacked, but the execution was a mess.
Critics were merciless. Rotten Tomatoes' own consensus quoted Percy Shelley's "Ozymandias" to describe the film's wreckage: "Look on Gods of Egypt, ye filmgoers, and despair! Nothing beside remains." Proyas didn't take the criticism well. He took to Facebook to call critics "deranged idiots" and "diseased vultures." It was a spectacular meltdown that effectively ended his feature film career—he hasn't directed a movie since.
Despite its critical drubbing, Gods of Egypt has become a guilty pleasure for many. Its over-the-top CGI, ridiculous costumes, and Butler's scenery-chewing performance make it a perfect watch for a laugh. And now, you can stream it for free on Tubi in June 2026. If you're in the mood for a fantasy film that's more camp than epic, this is your chance.
For more on Gerard Butler's streaming success, check out our piece on his war thriller Kandahar finding success on Hulu. And if you're looking for fantasy films that actually work, see our list of 21st century's best high fantasy movies.
Whether you love it or hate it, Gods of Egypt is a fascinating time capsule of a film that tried to be the next Clash of the Titans but ended up as a cautionary tale. Stream it on Tubi and decide for yourself if it's a guilty pleasure or just plain guilty.
