A new trailer has revealed Prime Video’s modern take on H.G. Wells’ classic science fiction tale, War of the Worlds. First published in 1898, the story of an attempted alien invasion of Earth would go on to inspire multiple adaptations, including Orson Welles’s infamous 1938 radio play that inspired mᴀss panic when many listeners mistook it for a real broadcast.

In addition to the original 1953 film adaptation of the book, directed by Byron Haskin, Stephen Spielberg put his own spin on the material with 2005’s War of the Worlds, starring Tom Cruise. More recently, a low-budget British reboot, dubbed War of the Worlds: The Attack, was also released in 2023.

Now, Prime Video has released the trailer for their own War of the Worlds reboot starring Ice Cube, set to premiere on July 30, 2025. Introducing a heavy focus on technology and data harvesting, this new version implies that it is our planet’s data that the invading aliens have come to feed on. Watch the trailer below:

What Prime Video’s War of the Worlds Trailer Means For The Classic Sci-Fi Tale

Ice Cube’s Movie Will Be Mashing Together 21st And 19th-Century Themes

Given that Wells’ book was originally written in the late 19th century and set during late Victorian times, the source material has already been subject to multiple attempts to update it and remain relevant to contemporary audiences. This latest version seems no different in this regard, and computer technology clearly plays a major role in this latest reimagining.

In a world increasingly preoccupied with the dangers of data leaks and illicit information-harvesting techniques, Prime Video’s War of the Worlds seems to be attempting to tap into some H๏τly contested topics of conversation. The question is, however, whether the key elements of Wells’ classic tale can withstand such a thematic mashup.

Nonetheless, in between the trailer’s heady collage of found footage, some of the classic features of War of the Worlds still remain, including the giant mechanical tripods used by the invading forces.

Our Take On Ice Cube’s War Of The Worlds

It Seems Unlikely To Eclipse Spielberg’s Version

With Spielberg’s take on War of the Worlds generating $603.9 million in worldwide box office and serving as Cruise’s highest-grossing movie until 2011’s Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, it seems unlikely that this direct-to-streaming reboot will generate the same kind of mᴀss appeal.

Nonetheless, for avid fans of science fiction, Wells’ original book has remained a veritable gold mine for filmmakers, writers, and artists, each seeking to put their own unique spin on the material. Cube’s War of the Worlds certainly looks interesting enough to pique the curiosity of science fiction fans eager for another unique take on an already well-known tale.

Source: Prime Video