One of the best and most underrated sci-fi movies ever made just landed on a new streaming home. Everyone thinks that their favorite sci-fi movie is a hidden gem, but (trust us), this one actually is. The movie was released in 2009 and was a sensational hit when it was released. Critics and audiences praised everything from the scope of its sci-fi story to the insane CGI, and the emotional stakes and grounded characters. But, in the years since its release, thanks to a few duds from its director, the film has seemingly been forgotten by sci-fi fans. We all love to praise the likes of Blade Runner 2049, The Martian, Inception, Mad Max: Fury Road, and Dune as the best modern sci-fi movies. But this hidden gem absolutely deserves a spot on that prestigious list. Directed by Neill Blomkamp, District 9 is the film in question, and now’s the best time to watch it because it has just found a new streaming home.
District 9 is now streaming on Paramount+. District 9 was a sensation when it opened in theaters back in 2009. Blomkamp directed and co-wrote the movie with Terri Tatchell, which used a documentary style to ground its sci-fi-heavy story in reality. Sharlto Copley starred as Wikus van de Merwe, an employee of the Multi-National United, which oversaw South Africa’s resident alien population in a gigantic camp known as District 9. The official synopsis reads:
“Thirty years ago, aliens arrive on Earth — not to conquer or give aid, but — to find refuge from their dying planet. Separated from humans in a South African area called District 9, the aliens are managed by Multi-National United, which is unconcerned with the aliens’ welfare but will do anything to master their advanced technology. When a company field agent (Sharlto Copley) contracts a mysterious virus that begins to alter his DNA, there is only one place he can hide: District 9.”
District 9 truly is a one-of-a-kind sci-fi film, not just for its mockumentary style, but also for its incredible CGI and visual effects. It’s astonishing that Neil Blomkamp isn’t more recognized as one of the best modern sci-fi directors, as the effects in his movies alone are head and shoulders above multi-million dollar Hollywood movies, for a fraction of the price.
‘District 9’ Is a Modern Classic
As previously mentioned, District 9 was a big hit when it opened in 2009. The film holds a stellar 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a very strong audience score of 82%. Those who loved District 9 agreed with its cult status, calling it an “insanely underrated sci-fi classic,” and “nothing short of a masterpiece.” It was also nominated for four Oscars in 2010, including Best Picture, Best Editing, and Best Visual Effects. District 9 was also a box office hit, grossing over $210 million against a budget of just $30 million.
So why has District 9 been forgotten? It’s mainly due to Neill Blomkamp’s follow-up movies. Blomkamp followed District 9 with the Matt Damon-led Elysium, which was also a modest hit. His 2015 feature, Chappie, gained a cult following but was slated by many critics and underperformed at the box office. Since then, Neill Blomkamp has spent more time directing original short films than full-length features. Although he recently returned to the director’s chair for 2023’s Gran Turismo, which was also a middling hit.
- Release Date
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August 5, 2009
- Runtime
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112 minutes