Nearly a decade after its theatrical release, Ridley Scott's The Martian is proving that great sci-fi never goes out of style. The Matt Damon-led survival epic has rocketed back onto streaming charts, currently sitting at #6 on Vudu worldwide and #9 in the U.S. as of May 2026. It's nestled between GOAT and Fast X globally, and The Devil Wears Prada and Shelter domestically.
Based on Andy Weir's debut novel, The Martian was a box-office phenomenon in 2015, grossing over $630.6 million worldwide and becoming the 10th-highest-grossing film of the year. It held its own against blockbuster giants like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Jurassic World, and Avengers: Age of Ultron. Now, with renewed interest in Weir's work—especially after the success of Project Hail Mary—the film is finding a new generation of fans on streaming.
What Makes 'The Martian' a Must-Watch?
The film stars Matt Damon as Dr. Mark Watney, a botanist and astronaut who is accidentally left behind on Mars during a manned mission. Presumed dead by his crew, Watney must use his scientific ingenuity to survive the harsh Martian environment while attempting to contact NASA. The result is a gripping one-man show that balances tension, humor, and heart.
Critics have compared it to Cast Away meets Apollo 13 and The Right Stuff, praising Damon's performance and Scott's direction. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a rare 91% score from both critics and audiences, while Letterboxd users give it a solid 3.8. Collider's Matt Goldberg awarded it a B, calling Damon a "perfect" casting choice and noting that The Martian is "one of [Scott's] best films in years."
For fans of survival stories and space exploration, The Martian is often described as "a love letter to science"—a film that makes complex space jargon accessible and even entertaining. It's a standout in Ridley Scott's filmography, which also includes recent hits like Gladiator 2 dominating Netflix.
Where to Stream 'The Martian'
If you haven't seen it yet—or want to revisit Watney's incredible journey—The Martian is currently available to stream on Vudu/Fandango at Home, Peacock, and Prime Video. It's also a great companion piece to other sci-fi survival tales like Cold Meat, which recently hit YouTube for free.
As streaming charts continue to shift, The Martian remains a testament to the power of smart, character-driven science fiction. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, this is one mission worth taking.
