One of the best sci-fi movies of all time is finally streaming free ‣ Diverse Daily

If you’re a fan of alien movies, you are not alone. Some of my favorite movies include Star Wars, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. For a sci-fi cinephile like me, it is a shame that not all of these films are free to stream. Fortunately, Prime Video is now offering one of the genre’s greatest stories: John Carpenter’s The Thing.

Based on the novella by John W. Campbell, the movie follows a team of Antarctic researchers as they encounter a vicious, shapeshifting alien. This isn’t the first film adaptation of Campbell’s story; The Thing from Another World came first in 1951. However, Carpenter’s version is arguably the best one ever made for the big screen.

Many critics panned The Thing upon its 1982 release, with the film bombing at the box office. However, this cult classic currently holds an 85% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is now considered one of the best sci-fi and horror movies ever made. The Thing was regarded highly enough to get a prequel film in 2011. Carpenter even discussed his ongoing plans for a sequel, according to SyFy.

The Thing redefined alien invasion movies

John Carpenter delivers a suspenseful, sci-fi nightmare

The Thing features one of the most haunting depictions of an alien invasion in cinema history. Instead of an armada of flying saucers, the film features a microscopic parasite that assimilates and replicates any living thing it touches. Even a drop of its blood can be enough to infect and control someone completely. This creature ultimately makes for an especially bleak movie, as the characters turn on each other as they suspect one of them is the Thing in disguise.

Carpenter, who had previously established himself as a master of suspense with Halloween and The Fog, keeps audiences guessing and biting their nails with The Thing. From the blood test to the shocking defibrillator scene, this movie is a masterclass at building tension and completely surprising audiences when the alien reveals itself. The practical effects that bring the creature’s different, disgusting forms to life still look frighteningly realistic over 40 years later.

On top of that, you can’t go wrong with a cast featuring icons like Kurt Russell and Keith David, who give some of their most memorable performances in the film. The Thing even has a chilling score from legendary composer Ennio Morricone, famous for his work on westerns like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Thanks to its horrifying visuals and meticulously tense narrative, The Thing is guaranteed to stick with you long after the credits roll. Fans still debate its ambiguous ending, which has made Carpenter’s film a timeless classic.

Stream The Thing for free on Prime Video

Experience the ultimate in alien terror

TK Carter Kurt Russell and Keith David in The Thing

This September, Prime Video added Carpenter’s The Thing, among several other movies, to its extensive streaming library. The film is available for free, though subscribers will have to watch it with ads. However, in certain countries, you can stream The Thing without any ads by upgrading to a higher-tier subscription.

If you’re already a Prime Video subscriber, then streaming The Thing should be no sweat. If you haven’t gotten Prime Video yet, a regular subscription only costs $8.99 per month. But here’s a little trick: you can try a 30-day free trial on Amazon Prime to watch the movie for free.

To use Prime Video, you can just go directly to its official website from your browser. You can also download the Prime Video app onto your mobile device from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. You can even use the app from your smart TV or streaming sticks such as Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, or Apple TV.

What else is on Prime Video?

Stream other sci-fi and horror classics

The Thing may be too much alien horror for some audiences. But if you’re still in the mood for more, you can stream plenty of other sci-fi films for free on Prime Video. You can even stream beloved movies like Project Hail Mary, The Martian, Superman, The Running Man, and Carpenter’s other classic, They Live.

Prime Video also features a plethora of scary films that are perfect for the Halloween season. The service added plenty of must-see horror movies, such as Cape Fear, Carrie, The First Omen, and The Silence of the Lambs. Other frightening gems that were already on Prime Video include Hellraiser, The Fog, Hush, Last Night in Soho, and 2021’s Candyman.

Prime Video offers plenty of dark and imaginative movies for sci-fi and horror fans. But there are few that can hold a flamethrower up to The Thing. With a clever concept, nail-biting suspense, and mind-blowing special effects, John Carpenter’s The Thing remains one of the best alien movies ever, as well as the perfect film to watch this spooky season.