In the late 2000s, Hollywood was a different beast. Before streaming algorithms dictated what we watched, studio executives relied on gut instincts and creative chemistry to greenlight projects. That's how we got Paul, a sci-fi comedy that brought together the minds behind some of the biggest comedies of the era with the stars of a beloved British trilogy. Now, that film is about to vanish from Peacock, and you have a limited window to enjoy it.
Paul, which hit theaters in 2011, was a passion project that seemed destined for greatness. It paired Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, the duo behind the cult-favorite Cornetto Trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The World's End), with Seth Rogen, who voiced the titular alien. The plot follows two British sci-fi nerds who encounter a foul-mouthed, pot-smoking extraterrestrial who has escaped from Area 51. With government agents hot on their trail, they embark on a road trip to help Paul get back to his home planet.
The film was a love letter to Steven Spielberg, who even made a voice cameo as a security guard. It also boasted an impressive supporting cast, including Jason Bateman, Sigourney Weaver, and Kristen Wiig. Despite all that star power, Paul didn't quite reach the box office heights its creators hoped for, grossing around $98 million worldwide—just shy of the coveted $100 million mark. It has since found a second life as a cult favorite, with a 70% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Critics were generally kind but not effusive. The consensus on Rotten Tomatoes reads: "It doesn't measure up to Pegg and Frost's best work, but Paul is an amiably entertaining—albeit uneven—road trip comedy with an intergalactic twist." That's a fair assessment. The film is a fun, if slightly messy, blend of buddy comedy and sci-fi homage, and it's perfect for a lazy weekend watch.
If you haven't seen Paul yet, now's the time. It's currently streaming on Peacock in the United States, along with the entire Cornetto Trilogy. But mark your calendars: all four films will be removed from the service on November 1, 2026. That's your deadline to catch this intergalactic adventure before it beams out of the streaming universe.
While you're at it, you might want to check out other titles that are also leaving Peacock soon. For instance, Tom Cruise's thriller Collateral is also on its way out. And if you're a fan of Spielberg's work, you might be interested in his latest streaming hit, which is dominating charts on other platforms.
Directed by Greg Mottola, who helmed Superbad, Paul is a nostalgic trip back to a time when comedies could be both irreverent and heartfelt. It's a reminder of the creative spark that happens when talented people from different comedic worlds collide. So, before it leaves Peacock, give it a watch—you might just find yourself laughing out loud at a foul-mouthed alien with a heart of gold.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on what's leaving streaming services and what's worth your time.
