Lost in Space (1998) Finds New Audience on Streaming Platforms

1 week ago 11

major-don-west-matt-leblanc-lost-in-space-1998

Published Jan 27, 2026, 3:42 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.

Nearly 30 years after it failed to impress critics or moviegoers, Lost in Space is getting a surprise second wind thanks to streaming. The 1998 sci-fi action film, which starred Gary Oldman, was a big-budget reboot of the classic CBS series that aired from 1965 to 1968 — and at the time, it was widely viewed as a creative misfire. Fast-forward to now, and the movie is suddenly finding an audience. According to FlixPatrol, Lost in Space climbed to No. 8 on Tubi’s list of most-watched movies on January 20.

Based on the 1960s TV series of the same name, Lost in Space takes place in the far-flung future of 2058, as humanity seeks to colonize the stars to escape a polluted planet. Hmm, sounds familiar. Wonder where they got that idea? Married scientists John (William Hurt) and Maureen Robinson (Mimi Rogers) lead the mission, accompanied by their children Judy (Heather Graham), Penny (Lacey Chabert), and Will (Jack Johnson), military advisor Major Don West (Matt LeBlanc), and an advanced robot (voiced by Dick Tufeld). However, thanks to a snake in the grass on board in the shape of Dr. Smith (Oldman), the ship veers off course, and ends up — and you will never believe this when we tell you — lost in space.

Is 'Lost in Space' Worth Seeing?

New Line Cinema went all-in on the film, reportedly spending between $80 and $90 million, making it the studio’s most expensive release at the time. The plan was for Lost in Space to kick off a full-blown franchise built around the familiar name of the original series, but that idea collapsed pretty quickly. Fans and critics largely rejected the movie, and its reputation hasn’t improved much since. It currently sits at a rough 27% critic score and an even worse 24% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics' consensus states: Clumsily directed and missing most of the TV series' campy charm, Lost in Space sadly lives down to its title.

That said, the film wasn’t a total box office disaster. It famously became the first movie to dethrone Titanic after its historic 16-week run at No. 1 and ultimately pulled in $136 million worldwide.

Lost in Space is currently streaming for free on Tubi. Stay tuned to Collider for all the latest news on streaming.