Andrei Tarkovsky’s Solaris: A Sci-Fi Masterpiece Streaming Free on Tubi

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Widely considered a cinematic masterpiece, Solaris is a 1972 Soviet science fiction film. It’s a thought-provoking and artistic movie co-written and directed by Andrei Tarkovsky.

The critically acclaimed sci-fi movie Solaris, based on the 1961 novel, is now available to stream for free on Tubi. The film follows a scientific mission that’s thrown into turmoil by the emotional struggles of three crew members. Named after the fictional planet it orbits, the story becomes particularly mysterious when psychologist Kris Kelvin arrives at the space station, only to experience his own emotional crisis instead of resolving the others’.

I’m a huge Tarkovsky fan, and Solaris is special to me because it came after he hadn’t directed anything for a few years. Before Solaris, he made Andrei Rublev, this incredible historical film about a Russian icon painter. It’s amazing to me that both films – Solaris and Andrei Rublev – are now considered classics, truly some of the best movies ever made.

Andrei Tarkovsky’s films often delve into spiritual and philosophical ideas, exploring concepts like faith, freedom, and the power of art. Because of these themes, his work frequently faced censorship in the Soviet Union. However, he managed to release his film Solaris to a limited audience, premiering it at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival and showing it at the Mir cinema in Moscow.

Solaris Was Tarkovsky’s Response to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey

Andrei Tarkovsky wasn’t a fan of the way many sci-fi films at the time prioritized gadgets and technology over meaningful stories and characters. He felt they lacked emotional depth. With Solaris, he aimed to create something different, focusing instead on spiritual and philosophical ideas.

Currently, the film Solaris is critically acclaimed, boasting a 92% rating on the Tomatometer and an 89% audience score, as measured by the Popcornmeter. Mark Olsen of the Los Angeles Times describes Solaris as having a “hypnotic pull,” captivating viewers with its unique and mysterious story.

In 1976, critics praised the film, with one describing it as a “thoughtful, deep, and sensitive movie” that cleverly uses science fiction to explore what it means to be human. Author Salman Rushdie, famous for his novel Midnight’s Children, hailed Solaris as a “sci-fi masterpiece.” More recently, a 2007 review in Variety called Solaris a captivating story about life and love, disguised as a science fiction film.

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In 2002, thirty years after the original Solaris was released, an American remake starring George Clooney and directed by Steven Soderbergh came out. While critics had mixed to positive reactions (it currently has a 66% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), the film wasn’t financially successful, earning only $30 million worldwide despite costing $47 million to make.

As a huge sci-fi fan, I can tell you Andrei Tarkovsky’s Solaris still holds up as one of the greatest films in the genre, even after 53 years! And the best part? You can now watch this absolute masterpiece for free on Tubi here in the US.

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2025-12-28 19:09