Technology

The Sci-Fi Romance Dubbed “Titanic in Space” Surges on Streaming Charts

2026-02-23 00:20
652 views
The Sci-Fi Romance Dubbed “Titanic in Space” Surges on Streaming Charts

Chris Pratt's sci-fi dud, Passengers, has re-entered the streaming conversation, landing on the Top 10 charts despite its 30% Rotten Tomatoes score.

The Sci-Fi Romance Dubbed “Titanic in Space” Surges on Streaming Charts Michael Sheen as a bartender, cleans a glass with a rag in Passengers Michael Sheen as a bartender, cleans a glass with a rag in PassengersImage via Sony 4 By  Chris McPherson Published Feb 22, 2026, 7:20 PM EST Chris is a Senior News Writer for Collider. He can be found in an IMAX screen, with his eyes watering and his ears bleeding for his own pleasure. He joined the news team in 2022 and accidentally fell upwards into a senior position despite his best efforts. For reasons unknown, he enjoys analyzing box office receipts, giant sharks, and has become known as the go-to man for all things Bosch, Mission: Impossible and Christopher Nolan in Collider's news division. Recently, he found himself yeehawing along to the Dutton saga on the Yellowstone Ranch.  He is proficient in sarcasm, wit, Photoshop and working unfeasibly long hours. Amongst his passions sit the likes of the history of the Walt Disney Company, the construction of theme parks, steam trains and binge-watching Gilmore Girls with a coffee that is just hot enough to scald him. His obsession with the Apple TV+ series Silo is the subject of mockery within the Senior News channel, where his feelings about Taylor Sheridan's work are enough to make his fellow writers roll their eyes.  Sign in to your Collider account Add Us On follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread 1 Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

The most ambitious sci-fi romance of the 21st century has quietly landed in the MGM+ Top 10, proving that sometimes streaming is the ultimate redemption arc. Once described by a reviewer as “Titanic in space,” the film has resurfaced as a glossy, bingeable curiosity that viewers are apparently more willing to embrace in 2026 than they were in 2016.

Directed by Morten Tyldum and written by Jon Spaihts, Passengers stars Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence as two colonists aboard a luxury spaceship traveling to a distant planet. Set on the spaceship Avalon during a 120-year voyage to a new colony planet, the story follows Jim (Pratt), a mechanical engineer who’s accidentally awakened from hibernation 90 years too early. Facing a lifetime of solitude, Jim eventually wakes up fellow passenger Aurora (Lawrence), a decision that essentially condemns her to the same fate — without her consent.

Yep, it's as creepy as it sounds. But it’s a high-concept, visually stunning, star-driven spectacle that gives viewers something to talk about. The supporting cast includes Michael Sheen as the ship’s android bartender, Arthur, and Laurence Fishburne as a crew member who awakens later in the crisis.

Is 'Passengers' Worth Watching?

Collider’s review stated that Passengers is a film split between two identities — a compelling sci-fi romance that works and a bolted-on space thriller that doesn’t — and the clash between those halves ultimately holds it back from greatness. Perri Nemiroff highlighted the ethical dilemma that Jim faces as the film’s strongest element. With two charismatic leads whose chemistry feels natural and lived-in, the emotional tension between them becomes genuinely unsettling and fascinating.

"Pratt and Lawrence deliver huge, almost instantly inspiring you to root for them, and Michael Sheen makes for a delightful supporting character - the ship’s resident android bartender, Arthur. There’s also loads to be praised on the technical front, particularly the stunning visuals from cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, and the score from Thomas Newman which adds a great deal to the atmosphere of the film. Tyldum had all the pieces necessary to deliver something engrossing and highly unique, and that makes it especially unfortunate that ill-fitting action detracts so significantly from the experience."

Passengers is streaming now on MGM+.

01296436_poster_w780.jpg

Passengers

Like Follow Followed PG-13 Drama Romance Science Fiction Release Date December 21, 2016 Runtime 116 minutes Director Morten Tyldum Writers Jon Spaihts Producers Neal H. Moritz, Ori Marmur, Stephen Hamel, Michael Maher

Cast

See All
  • instar52644961.jpg Chris Pratt Jim Preston
  • instar53732344.jpg Jennifer Lawrence Aurora Lane
Powered by ScreenRant logo Expand Collapse Follow Followed Like Share Facebook X WhatsApp Threads Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Flipboard Copy link Email Close

What To Watch

 Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) posing in KPop Demon Hunters. July 20, 2025 The 72 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now Trending Now Steve Zahn and Rebecca Ferguson look concerned at something off-camera in the Silo Season 2 finale. HBO’s Better Version of Apple TV’s ‘Silo’ Surges on Streaming Charts Stargate sg 1 Wayne Brady One of the Most Influential Sci-Fi Series Ever Lands on Netflix Ahead of Revival Predator: Badlands In Just 5 Days, Disney's 107-Minute Franchise-Saving Sci-Fi Marvel Shatters Records on Hulu