As the awards season gears up, all eyes are on the frontrunners for next year's Oscars. Among them is the Ryan Gosling-led space epic Project Hail Mary, which has been wowing audiences and critics alike. But while that film basks in its $682 million global haul and near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, another Andy Weir adaptation is quietly making waves on streaming.
Ridley Scott's The Martian, starring Matt Damon, has officially cracked the top 10 most-streamed movies on Apple TV in the U.S. as of this writing. It's a remarkable resurgence for a film that first hit theaters in 2015, proving that great sci-fi never really goes out of style.
A Decade-Long Legacy
When The Martian first launched, it was an instant classic. Scott, a veteran of the genre, turned Weir's 2011 novel into a gripping survival story that balanced hard science with human emotion. Damon's performance as the stranded astronaut Mark Watney was widely praised, and the film went on to earn over $630 million worldwide—a figure that still impresses today.
Now, 11 years later, the film is finding a whole new audience on streaming. Its presence on Apple TV's charts is a testament to its enduring appeal, especially as viewers look for quality sci-fi in the lead-up to Project Hail Mary's awards push.
From One Weir Hit to Another
It's no coincidence that Project Hail Mary is drawing comparisons to The Martian. Both films share a source author and a similar spirit of ingenuity and survival. But while Project Hail Mary has been hailed as "the first great film of 2026," The Martian remains a benchmark for the genre.
For those who haven't seen it, The Martian is a must-watch. And for those who have, it's worth a revisit. You can stream it now on Apple TV, alongside other recent hits like Ryan Reynolds' Mayday and Masters of the Air.
Scott's Mixed Recent Record
While The Martian remains a high point in Scott's career, his latest sci-fi outing, The Dog Stars, hasn't fared as well. Despite a star-studded cast including Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, and Guy Pearce, the film has struggled with critics and at the box office. It's a reminder that even great directors can stumble, but it also makes The Martian's success all the more impressive.
As streaming continues to reshape how we consume movies, it's clear that The Martian has found a new home. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, it's worth checking out why this film remains a favorite. And with Project Hail Mary likely to dominate awards season, there's no better time to revisit the story that started it all.
For more on what's trending on Apple TV, check out our coverage of The Good Doctor's streaming resurgence and Russell Crowe's Oscar-winning drama climbing the charts.
