With Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey dominating theaters and earning early buzz as a career-defining moment for Matt Damon, it's no surprise that audiences are revisiting one of the actor's most beloved sci-fi roles. But this time, the spotlight isn't on a Bourne identity crisis or a lunar mission—it's on a stranded botanist fighting for survival on the Red Planet.
That film is The Martian, directed by the legendary Ridley Scott and based on Andy Weir's debut novel. More than a decade after its original release, the movie has rocketed back into the streaming stratosphere. According to FlixPatrol, The Martian landed on Prime Video earlier this month and quickly cracked the platform's Top 10 in the United States. It ranked as the #10 most popular movie on the service yesterday and has since jumped to sixth place, proving that great sci-fi never goes out of style.
Why 'The Martian' Still Resonates
Much like Weir's later adaptation Project Hail Mary—which also became a hit this year—The Martian follows a lone astronaut stranded far from Earth. Matt Damon plays Mark Watney, a botanist and engineer who is mistakenly left for dead during a violent dust storm on Mars. With limited supplies and no way to contact his crew, Watney must rely on his scientific ingenuity to survive, growing food in Martian soil and figuring out how to signal Earth for a rescue mission that seems nearly impossible.
The film holds a stellar 91% approval rating from both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, and it won the 2016 Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. It's often mentioned alongside other space classics like Interstellar, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Gravity, and, of course, Project Hail Mary. If you loved the sciencey problem-solving, dry humor, and wholesome emotional beats of Project Hail Mary, The Martian is the closest thing you'll find—complete with all the classic Weir-isms that make his characters so lovable.
A Sci-Fi Masterpiece for Prime Video Subscribers
Ridley Scott's filmography includes genre-defining hits like Alien, Blade Runner, Black Hawk Down, and Gladiator, and The Martian stands proudly among them. It's a rare space movie that balances tension, humor, and heart, making it a perfect binge for Prime Video subscribers looking for something truly out of this world. For more hidden gems on the platform, check out our list of Prime Video's Hidden Action Gems: 8 Forgotten Thrillers You Need to Watch.
As Damon's career continues to soar with The Odyssey, The Martian serves as a reminder of why he's one of Hollywood's most versatile stars. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, this is the perfect time to stream one of the greatest space movies ever made. And if you're looking for more top-tier content on Prime Video, don't miss our picks for Best Movies on Prime Video: July 20, 2026 Picks.
So grab some popcorn, settle in, and watch Matt Damon use science, wit, and sheer determination to survive against all odds. The Martian is streaming now on Prime Video—and it's a journey you won't want to miss.
