It's been a rough decade for director Roland Emmerich. Once the king of disaster blockbusters, his recent track record has been a string of box-office disappointments. But one of his biggest misfires is finally getting a second chance with streaming audiences. Independence Day: Resurgence, the long-awaited sequel to the 1996 alien invasion classic, lands on Hulu on July 1, 2026.
The original Independence Day was a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $800 million worldwide and launching Will Smith into superstardom. The sequel, however, was a different story. Released in 2016, Resurgence was marketed as a legacy sequel but notably lacked Smith's star power. Instead, it featured Liam Hemsworth and Maika Monroe as the new leads, alongside returning cast members Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman. Critics were unimpressed, giving it a 29% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus calling it "undeniably visually impressive" but lacking the emotional stakes of its predecessor.
Financially, the film grossed around $390 million worldwide against a $165 million budget—a far cry from the original's $800 million haul. For Emmerich, it was another in a series of misfires that began with 2011's Anonymous and continued through Stonewall, White House Down, Midway, and Moonfall. His dry spell rivals even Steven Spielberg's recent struggles, though Spielberg's Disclosure Day has at least recouped its budget.
Now, a decade after its theatrical release, Independence Day: Resurgence gets a new life on Hulu. For fans of the original who skipped the sequel, this is a chance to see what went wrong—or to enjoy the spectacle without the sting of a ticket price. The film's visual effects remain impressive, even if the story feels hollow.
If you're in the mood for more alien action, check out Brad Pitt's 'World War Z', which has been a streaming sensation on Paramount+. Or for a different kind of sequel, 'Ready or Not 2' hits Hulu on July 2, starring Samara Weaving.
Whether you're a completionist or just curious about one of the most infamous sci-fi sequels of the decade, Independence Day: Resurgence is now just a click away. Will it win over new fans? Probably not. But for those who love a good disaster, it's a guilty pleasure waiting to be rediscovered.
