Jennifer Lawrence's sci-fi epic with 30% Rotten Tomatoes dominates the Prime Video charts

The big picture

“Passengers” starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt is currently ranked number 2 on Prime Video despite initial criticism.
With stunning visuals and an all-star cast, the film explores themes of isolation, camaraderie and moral choices in space.
The resurgence of Passengers on Prime Video shows how films can find new audiences and underscores the evolving nature of the audience.

Despite the cautious reception by critics, Passengers— the science fiction epic from 2016 with Jennifer Lawrence And Chris Pratt— has found new life on Prime Video, where it’s currently dominating the streaming charts and sitting at No. 2. The film, which has a 30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, seems to have struck a chord with audiences years after its initial release, proving that a film’s afterlife can sometimes be just as captivating as its theatrical run.

Passengers tells the story of two astronauts, Aurora Lane (Lawrence) and Jim Preston (Pratt), who are prematurely awakened from hypersleep on a journey to a distant colony planet. With 90 years to go and unable to return to hibernation, they must face the harsh reality of their situation while developing a complicated relationship in which romance, survival and ethical dilemmas are intertwined.

Was it worth getting into “Passengers”?

Jennifer Lawrence as Aurora and Chris Pratt as Jim in spacesuits in the movie Passengers — Image via Columbia Pictures

After its publication Passengers received mixed to negative reviews, with critics pointing out the disturbing moral undertones and disappointing screenplay as major drawbacks. However, the film’s high production quality, stunning visual effects, and the star power of Lawrence and Pratt were often praised. The film grossed over $300 million worldwide, but did not escape criticism from critics who questioned the narrative choices and the dynamic between the two leads.

Fast forward to 2024 and Passengers is enjoying a resurgence in popularity on Prime Video. The film’s presence in the top streaming charts suggests that it has found a new audience that may be more forgiving of its flaws or simply drawn to the star-studded cast and visually appealing depiction of space travel.

While Passengers may not be a critics’ darling, but it offers a visually stunning experience that is well worth watching, especially for fans of science fiction and space exploration. The film raises fascinating questions about isolation, camaraderie, and moral choices under extreme circumstances – themes that continue to resonate with audiences today.

In addition, the resurgence of Passengers on Prime Video underscores the evolution of cinema audiences in the streaming era. It’s a reminder that some films, regardless of initial critical acclaim, can find their audience later, proving that a film’s journey is never truly over.

So if you fancy a space romance with top-notch visual effects and two of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Passengers could be just the thing for your next movie night. The film is now streaming on Prime Video. Stay tuned to Collider for more.