Pixels is a 2015 comedy that was a huge bomb on release but has managed to find new life on Netflix. Adam Sandler has released a lot of great movies in his career, but he’s also released a lot of stinkers in that time too. It’s the price fans pay for appreciating someone so prolific. It’s hard to have consistent quality with such a huge quanтιтy. While even some of the poorer Sandler movies have bright spots, others just feel like they completely fail. Pixels falls in that latter category, with an 18% on Rotten Tomatoes and a universal lambasting.

The science fiction, CGI-laden action comedy Pixels features an impressive cast including Peter Dinklage, Michelle Monaghan, Brian Cox, and Kevin James alongside Sandler. The film revolves around a group of aliens interpreting classic Earth arcade games as a declaration of war, requiring the government to ᴀssemble a team of arcade champions to defeat them. Despite the impressive $245 million it earned at the box office (via BoxOfficeMojo), it’s often been included in lists of the worst films ever. However, Netflix has breathed new life into the film.

Yes, Pixels Is Available On Netflix

Adam Sandler Signed A Deal With Netflix

For those still interested in it, Pixels is currently available to stream on Netflix. Adam Sandler signed a four-movie deal with Netflix in October 2014, but Pixels was already in production when the deal was signed, so it was released theatrically (via NYT). It didn’t have to come to the streaming platform, so there’s no guarantee it will be there as long as other Sandler movies. Unfortunately, Netflix does not have a free trial, so those interested in streaming Pixels will need to pay $7.99/month (standard with ads), $17.99/month (standard), or $24.99/month (premium) to watch.

Pixels Was A Critical Bomb That Received New Life On Netflix

Some Viewers Will Watch Anything With Adam Sandler In It

While Pixels was a critical bomb upon release, it’s gained new life on Netflix. People are finding it eminently more watchable in the 2020s than they ever did in the 2010s. In October 2024, Pixels climbed as high as the number three spot in the streamer’s daily top 10 most-streamed movies (via SlashFilm). Why exactly the movie started to gain so much traction is anyone’s guess, but it may just be the incredible power of Sandler. With so many original Netflix films featuring Sandler, it’s probable his fans clicked on it simply because he was in it.

On Letterboxd, some users have tried to explain their feelings. One said, “Why did i rewatch this about thirty times as a child and why did it have such a huge chokehold on me..?” Karsyn wrote, “Too many people just do not appreciate this for the masterpiece that it is 🙄” Some of these good reviews are surely ironic, but there’s no doubt that people have been willing to give Pixels a second chance. Netflix is known for giving bombs second chances after all. Just ask Madame Web and Shrek the Third.

Where To Rent & Buy Pixels Online

Pixels Is Available On The Major Platforms

For those who don’t want to subscribe to Netflix just to watch Pixels, there are some other options. The film is available to rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Fandango, and Microsoft for $3.99. It’s also available to purchase on Fandango for $13.99 and on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and Microsoft for $14.99. While neither renting nor buying Pixels sounds like a winning proposition, renting it for the low price of four dollars sounds more reasonable.