If you were hoping to catch a forgotten piece of early-2010s YA sci-fi history on Tubi, you'd better act fast. I Am Number Four, the 2011 adaptation of the Lorien Legacies novels, is set to leave the free streaming service on May 1, 2026. The timing is particularly ironic, given that the property recently made headlines with whispers of a reboot.
Directed by D.J. Caruso and starring Alex Pettyfer, Dianna Agron, Teresa Palmer, and Timothy Olyphant, the film follows a teenage alien hiding on Earth who develops superpowers while being hunted by deadly enemies. It had all the ingredients for a blockbuster franchise: a built-in mythology, a romantic subplot, and a cliffhanger ending begging for a sequel. But despite grossing around $150 million worldwide on a $50–60 million budget, the film failed to ignite the cultural phenomenon its studio hoped for. Critics were lukewarm—Rotten Tomatoes scores sit at 32% from critics and 57% from audiences—and plans for a sequel, The Power of Six, were quietly shelved.
Now, with the reboot in early development, the original film's departure from Tubi feels like a missed opportunity for new viewers to catch up. Author James Frey confirmed that producer Neal Moritz is working on a new version with original screenwriters Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, but cautioned that no studio or streamer has officially greenlit the project. There's been no casting or production updates since the initial announcement.
For fans of failed franchise starters, I Am Number Four is a fascinating case study. It's a film that tried to be the next Twilight or Hunger Games but ended up as a cult curiosity. Its departure from Tubi is a reminder of how quickly Hollywood moves on from promising but underperforming IP. If you're curious about what could have been, catch it before May 1.
In the meantime, other forgotten sci-fi and fantasy series are finding new life on free streaming. For instance, Forgotten Fantasy Series 'The Outpost' Hits Free Streaming on Kanopy May 1, 2026. And for those who prefer classic sci-fi, 'Forbidden Planet'—The Sci-Fi Classic That Inspired 'Star Trek'—Is Overdue for a Reboot.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on streaming departures and reboot news.
