Get ready to revisit one of the most explosive—and divisive—war films of the early 2000s. Michael Bay's Pearl Harbor is officially streaming on Netflix this October, bringing its blend of historical drama, romance, and spectacular action to a new generation of viewers.
The 2001 blockbuster stars Josh Hartnett, Ben Affleck, and Kate Beckinsale in a love triangle set against the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor. With a reported budget of $140 million, the film was a commercial juggernaut, pulling in over $450 million worldwide. But critics were far less kind, and it currently holds a 24% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Roger Ebert was particularly scathing, calling it a "tedious romance" with "laughably bad dialogue," though he did praise the 40-minute action sequence as spectacular.
For Hartnett, Pearl Harbor was a career-defining moment. At the time, he was being hailed as the next Leonardo DiCaprio, with roles in Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down and a shortlist spot for both Batman and Superman. But after that initial burst of fame, he stepped back from the spotlight, only to make a triumphant return in the 2020s with standout performances in Oppenheimer, Trap, and FX's The Bear.
October is shaping up to be a huge month for Hartnett. Not only does he have the Netflix limited series Below premiering, but he also stars alongside Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson in the thriller Verity. For fans looking to explore his earlier work, Pearl Harbor is the perfect starting point—a sweeping, star-studded epic that showcases his leading-man charisma.
Affleck, too, has a busy October ahead. His sci-fi thriller Paycheck is also making its way to streaming, offering a double dose of early-2000s Affleck for nostalgic viewers.
While Pearl Harbor may not have won over the critics, it remains a fascinating time capsule of early-2000s Hollywood—a big-budget, star-driven spectacle that aimed for Titanic-level glory and instead became a cult favorite for its sheer audacity. Whether you're a fan of Bay's explosive style or just curious about the film that launched Hartnett into the stratosphere, it's worth a watch this October.
For more on the best action movies of recent years, check out our list of top action films since 2020. And if you're in the mood for more classic Hollywood, don't miss our picks from the golden era of cinema.
