“Dark Skies” was one of the first sci-fi movies I ever watched. I was probably a little too young at the time (it felt like pure nightmare fuel back then), but I was completely hooked nonetheless.
When “Dark Skies” hit theaters in 2013, it kind of came and went without much fanfare. It was released quietly, didn’t have the marketing push of bigger studio sci-fi movies, and got overshadowed by the likes of “Oblivion” and “Gravity.” Not to mention, it earned a paltry 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, which feels like an unfair rating to me.
After watching it again recently, I can confidently say it’s the kind of sci-fi thriller that burrows under your skin, slowly building tension until you’re gripping the couch cushions and questioning every weird noise in your house.
The good news: You can now stream it for free on Prime Video in the U.S. This means no Prime membership required, just a regular Amazon account and a tolerance for a few ads.
So if you’re into slow-burn thrillers that build tension without relying on jump scares every two seconds, this one’s calling your name. Here’s why you should stream “Dark Skies” for free on Prime Video now.
What is ‘Dark Skies’ about?
“Dark Skies” follows the Barrett family — Lacy (Keri Russell), Daniel (Josh Hamilton), and their sons Jesse (Dakota Goyo) and Sam (Kadan Rockett) — as their peaceful suburban life is upended by strange, terrifying occurrences.
At first, it’s small: objects rearranged, flocks of birds crashing into their house, and Sam talking to an invisible “Sandman.” But things escalate quickly as the family members experience blackouts, unexplained bruises, and terrifying visions.
As the chaos grows, Lacy becomes desperate to understand what’s happening, while Daniel clings to rational explanations. The family’s fears lead them to Edwin Pollard (J.K. Simmons), a reclusive expert in alien phenomena, who reveals that they’re being targeted by extraterrestrial beings.
‘Dark Skies’ is unsettling enough to get under your skin
“Dark Skies” is one of those sci-fi thrillers that doesn’t need a barrage of explosions or flashy special effects to keep you watching. Instead, it slowly builds tension and relies on a creeping sense of dread that the central family feels.
We’re introduced to the Barretts, your typical suburban family, who start encountering odd, unexplainable events in their home. Most would put this down to stress or paranoia, but in this case, every family member experiences something truly strange. Enough to make them realize the reality of their situation.
All of this comes down to the fear of the unknown. Don’t expect to see aliens or monsters jumping out at you. Rather, the movie keeps you unsettled by leaving you with the nagging feeling that something unseen is watching. When I first saw this years ago, it was a feeling that was hard to shake off.
There’s a real sense of helplessness that permeates the movie. The family can’t fight back against the strange events, and that lack of control is what makes the premise so unsettling. Because the true horror here is psychological as much as it is supernatural.
Now, there’s a reason “Dark Skies” has a low Rotten Tomatoes score, and that mostly revolves around the characters. They haven’t been fully fleshed out, so it’s hard to connect with them. This was a common complaint among critics, and while I agree, the movie has so much more to offer.
“Dark Skies” actually works best when it taps into a much more relatable fear than the typical monster or villain. As someone who believes there is something out there, and that we’re certainly not alone in this world, this movie definitely makes me feel uneasy when I’m home alone. And that’s exactly what it aims to achieve.
Once writer-director Scott Stewart starts to lay all his cards on the table, the story does begin to drift a bit. But thanks to Keri Russell and Josh Hamilton’s believable performances, the movie stays more grounded and emotionally anchored than you might expect.
“Dark Skies” at times feels like a grab bag of every popular horror trend from the time — PG-13 haunted house vibes, body possession, jumpy digital effects, and a sprinkle of “Paranormal Activity”-style surveillance footage to crank up the tension.
Regardless of these tropes, it still remains a solid sci-fi thriller that deserves more praise than it got.
Stream ‘Dark Skies’ for free on Prime Video now
If you’ve never heard of “Dark Skies,” now is the perfect chance to finally check it out. It might not have made a huge splash back in 2013, but it’s aged surprisingly well, especially if you’re into slow-burn sci-fi that doesn’t hand everything to you on a silver platter.
It’s eerie, atmospheric, and plays with that unsettling idea that your home might not be so safe after all. And with it streaming for free on Prime Video in the U.S., there’s really no reason not to give it a shot. Just sign in with a regular Amazon account and brace yourself for some low-key existential dread (and a few very creepy sequences).
However, if you’re not convinced, see what’s new on Prime Video in April 2025 or check out our guide on the best Prime Video movies to watch now.
Stream "Dark Skies" for free on Prime Video.
More from Tom's Guide
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
