Ice Cube’s Razzie-Winning Sci-Fi Movie Becomes a Surprise Hit on Streaming

A film widely labeled by critics as the worst science fiction entry of the decade has been added to digital platforms. Following its addition to the Peacock library on October 1, 2026, the 2025 reimagining of War of the Worlds, starring Ice Cube, has been made available to subscribers following a release cycle defined by critical derision.

The film’s arrival on the service comes just over a year after its initial release. The production remains a lightning rod for critical derision, and industry analysts suggest the project has become a benchmark for cinematic failure in the 2020s.

The 'screenlife' format tells the story exclusively through monitors and digital devices.

Critical Disdain and the Razzie “Sweep”

The 2025 War of the Worlds holds the rare distinction of near-total critical rejection. The film currently maintains a 4% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an abysmal score of 6/100 on Metacritic. Critics from outlets such as The Ringer have cited it as a low point for the genre, criticizing its script, visual execution, and departure from the source material’s themes.

This negative reception culminated in a dominant showing at the 46th Golden Raspberry Awards. The film “swept” five major categories, including Worst Picture. Ice Cube, who stars as Department of Homeland Security surveillance expert Will Radford, was also awarded Worst Actor for his performance in the film.

The Pandemic Origins of “Screenlife” Sci-Fi

Much of the film’s unique aesthetic—and its subsequent criticism—stems from its troubled production history. Originally a Universal Pictures project shelved in 2020, the movie was filmed remotely during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It utilizes the “screenlife” format, a narrative device where the entire story is told through computer screens, video calls, and surveillance feeds.

While the format was popularized by successful thrillers like Searching, critics argued that applying it to a global alien invasion felt restrictive and low-budget. The plot itself further alienated traditional sci-fi fans; rather than the resource-hungry invaders of H.G. Wells’ original novel or the 2005 Steven Spielberg adaptation, these aliens invade Earth specifically to “consume” humanity’s digital data.

Critics were divided on the film's shift from physical resources to digital data as the primary alien objective.

The film also stars Eva Longoria as a NASA scientist who attempts to coordinate a global response via video chat. For Peacock, the film’s availability highlights the streaming era’s inclusion of projects defined by their critical notoriety.

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