In 2014, Sony took a swing at reviving a beloved sci-fi franchise, assembling a cast that would make any studio jealous. Joel Kinnaman stepped into the iconic suit, backed by heavyweights like Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael K. Williams, and Michael Keaton. Director José Padilha, known for his gritty Elite Squad films, was brought on to give the story a grounded, contemporary edge. The ambition was clear: follow the Christopher Nolan playbook of serious, relevant blockbusters. But despite all the pieces, the result didn't quite click with critics or audiences, and the franchise stalled.
Now, that ambitious misfire is getting a second life on free streaming. Starting this October, the 2014 RoboCop reboot will be available on Tubi, no subscription required. And for those who want to compare, the platform will also carry Paul Verhoeven's 1987 original, the satirical masterpiece that started it all. It's a perfect chance to revisit both versions and see how the reboot measures up.
The Kinnaman-led film grossed around $240 million worldwide against a reported budget of $130 million—not a disaster, but hardly a triumph. Critics were split, giving it a 50% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus? It's better than it could have been, but it doesn't improve on the original. Still, the movie has found a cult following over the years, and its themes of policing, surveillance, and corporate control feel more relevant than ever.
Kinnaman, meanwhile, is having a moment on streaming. His action thriller Icefall is currently charting on Prime Video, proving he's still a draw for genre fans. And with Prime Video's own RoboCop reboot in the works, starring Dan Stevens, interest in the 2014 version is likely to spike. It's a good time to catch up on the franchise's recent history.
For those who missed it the first time, the 2014 RoboCop explores a future where crime is out of control, and a cop named Alex Murphy (Kinnaman) is brutally injured and transformed into a cyborg law enforcer. The film digs into the ethics of robotics and the privatization of law enforcement, with Oldman playing the scientist behind the technology and Jackson as a media mogul pushing a pro-robot agenda. It's a thought-provoking take, even if it doesn't fully stick the landing.
If you're in the mood for more sci-fi reboots, you might also check out M. Night Shyamalan's After Earth, which also lands on Tubi this October. And for a look at another franchise that nearly died, see how Sonic nearly got the axe before the movies saved him. For a deeper dive into a different kind of reboot, Power Rangers Unlimited offers a comic blueprint to revive a stalled franchise.
So mark your calendars. This October, you can stream the 2014 RoboCop for free on Tubi, and decide for yourself whether it deserved a second chance. Whether you're a fan of the original or curious about the reboot, it's a fascinating piece of sci-fi history. And with the new Prime Video series on the horizon, there's no better time to revisit the world of RoboCop.
