In a twist that no one saw coming, the 2025 adaptation of War of the Worlds—a film that critics have savaged as one of the worst of the decade—has found a new lease on life in the streaming world. As of this week, the sci-fi disaster, starring Ice Cube, is sitting pretty in the top 10 most-streamed movies on Peacock in the U.S., proving that bad buzz can sometimes be the best marketing.
The film, directed by Rich Lee, is a loose retelling of H.G. Wells' classic 1898 novel, but it's been widely panned for its muddled plot, questionable acting, and visual effects that feel more like a video game cutscene than a big-budget feature. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of just 4%, it's become a punchline for film critics, but that hasn't stopped curious viewers from tuning in. The morbid fascination with seeing just how bad it really is has turned it into a streaming phenomenon.
Leading the cast is Ice Cube, who brings his signature tough-guy energy to the role of a father trying to protect his family during an alien invasion. He's joined by a surprisingly stacked ensemble, including Clark Gregg, Eva Longoria, Iman Benson, Michael O'Neill, and Andrea Savage. Despite the star power, the film's execution left much to be desired, with many critics pointing to its disjointed narrative and lack of tension as major flaws.
But here's the thing: in the age of streaming, "so bad it's good" has become a genre of its own. Viewers are flocking to War of the Worlds not in spite of its reputation, but because of it. It's the cinematic equivalent of a train wreck—you can't look away. And Peacock is reaping the benefits, as the film joins a lineup of other titles that have found second lives on the platform.
The streaming success of War of the Worlds comes at a time when Peacock is also riding high on the success of Spielberg's latest sci-fi epic, which has been dominating the charts since its October 9 debut. But while that film has its own share of mixed reviews, it's a far cry from the critical disaster that is War of the Worlds.
Interestingly, this isn't the first time a poorly received film has found a streaming audience. Earlier this month, Evil Dead Burn also made waves on Netflix and HBO Max, proving that horror and sci-fi fans have a high tolerance for campy, over-the-top content. And with Halloween just around the corner, it seems viewers are in the mood for something a little more outlandish.
For those who haven't yet braved War of the Worlds, it's now available to stream on Peacock. Whether you're a fan of Ice Cube, a lover of bad movies, or just curious about the hype, it's worth a watch—if only to see what all the fuss is about. And who knows? You might just find yourself enjoying it in a guilty-pleasure kind of way.
As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, it's clear that critical acclaim isn't the only path to success. Sometimes, all it takes is a little controversy and a lot of curiosity. War of the Worlds may not be winning any awards, but it's certainly winning over audiences—one stream at a time.
