Mark your calendars, crime drama fans. One of the most gripping gangster films of the 1980s is about to become completely free to watch. Brian De Palma's The Untouchables, the tense historical thriller starring Kevin Costner and Robert De Niro, is joining the massive library of Tubi starting May 1.
For those who love the gritty, character-driven tension of films like Goodfellas and The Departed, this is a must-watch opportunity. The film transports viewers to Prohibition-era Chicago, where law and order are concepts constantly under siege by organized crime.
A Lawman's Crusade in a Lawless City
The film centers on Treasury agent Eliot Ness, played with determined grit by Kevin Costner. Long before he became the patriarch of the Dutton ranch in Yellowstone or embarked on his ambitious 'Horizon' Western saga, Costner was the clean-cut federal agent tasked with an impossible mission: taking down the most powerful criminal in America.
That criminal is the infamous Al Capone, brought to terrifying life by Robert De Niro in one of his most memorable villainous roles. The cat-and-mouse game between Ness's fledgling team and Capone's vast empire forms the explosive core of the film, blending historical drama with De Palma's signature stylish suspense.
An All-Star Cast Brings History to Life
Beyond the powerhouse leads, The Untouchables boasts a legendary supporting cast. Sean Connery won an Academy Award for his role as the seasoned, street-smart Irish cop Jim Malone, who mentors Ness in the brutal realities of Chicago. Charles Martin Smith and a young Andy García round out the iconic "Untouchables" team, each bringing depth to this story of integrity under fire.
The film stands as a pinnacle of its genre, arriving in a decade rich with mob classics. While it shares the criminal underworld with essential gangster films like Scarface, its focus on the lawmen fighting corruption gives it a unique moral spine. It's a timeless treasure that has only grown in stature since its release.
Why It's a Must-Stream on Tubi
For viewers who may have missed this classic or are eager to revisit it, Tubi's free arrival is perfect timing. The service continues to build an impressive catalog of films that defy the algorithm, offering depth alongside its breadth. This addition proves that some of the best cinematic stories are available without a subscription fee.
Costner's performance is a key reason for the film's enduring appeal. It showcases the everyman heroism he would later refine in Westerns, but here it's set against rain-slicked city streets and the roar of tommy guns. It's a different kind of frontier justice, proving his versatility long before projects like 'Let Him Go' captivated audiences.
So, clear your schedule for a descent into the brutal and brilliant world of The Untouchables. From its iconic score to its legendary performances and tense set pieces, this is classic cinema at its most entertaining. Catch the showdown between Costner and De Niro when it hits Tubi on May 1.
