Classic Fantasy Movie That Steven Spielberg Doesn't Like Is Now Free To Stream

Published Aug 25, 2026, 10:00 PM EDT Liz Declan is a Lead Writer for ScreenRant, primarily covering movies. She is a massive fan of Star Wars, the MCU, and Supernatural. In addition to writing, Liz loves attending and covering conventions and interviewing actors. Find her on TikTok and Instagram @va.va.vera It goes without saying that Steven Spielberg is among the best directors of the modern day. In fact, he just recently proved why he's so popular again with Disclosure Day, which was celebrated by many as yet another alien-focused installment helmed by the Oscar-winning director. Yet, not all Spielberg directed movies are of the same quality, and Spielberg himself is clearly willing to accept that fact. Classic films like Jaws, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, and Jurassic Park certainly rank among the greatest Spielberg movies of all time, and few are likely to argue that fact. Yet, even with a director as celebrated as Spielberg, there are going to be flops. Following the release of Disclosure Day, there were actually those who argued that this most recent addition to Spielberg's filmography should be added to the 'flop' list, although that was far from the widely accepted view. There are Spielberg movies that are generally seen in a poorer light, however, including projects like sequel movie The Lost World: Jurassic Park, which failed to live up to its predecessor. There are even some that Spielberg himself has later criticized. One such movie, in fact, was the 1991 live-action take on Peter Pan titled Hook, which saw beloved actor Robin Williams in the role of a grown-up Peter Pan who had all but forgotten his magical origins and youthful ways. While the '90s flick has gone on to be seen as a classic by many who were growing up in that era, shockingly, this is one of the movies about which Spielberg has given the most negative comments. Hook Is Now Streaming On Tubi After spending some time on Netflix and moving around somewhat nomadically from streaming service to streaming service over the years, Hook has finally landed on Tubi, which means that streaming it is free (and actually free, meaning it requires no paid subscription). The movie hit Tubi on August 1, along with a laundry list of other shows and movies that hit the streamer on the very same day. Currently, it's not clear how long Hook will remain on the platform, so viewers who want to revisit the film or check it out for the first time should do so sooner rather than later—no matter what Spielberg says. Why Steven Spielberg Disliked Hook Although Hook is seen as a cult classic by many, especially '90s kids who grew up on it, Spielberg himself didn't like the movie—at least not nearly as much as most of his other projects. The director has given myriad explanations for why he felt this way over the years, including descriptions of being "uncomfortable" with the Neverland sequences and stating that, if he did it over again, he "would probably have done with live-action character work inside a completely digital set." Spielberg has also previously said that he didn't have confidence in the script, referring to himself as "a fish out of water" when it came to the movie and saying that he didn't know what he was doing (which is difficult to imagine considering his extensive history of success). Despite Spielberg's criticisms of his own work on Hook, though, this movie really does deserve a watch, and it's even better than audiences can now have the chance for free. Spielberg Was Wrong About Hook It makes sense that Spielberg would be so critical of his own work; it honestly feels only human for someone to be so scathing about something they created even when other people love and celebrate it. However, even as it can be acknowledged that Spielberg's comments are coming from a genuine place, it must also be said: Spielberg was totally wrong about this movie. Hook is a fan favorite for a reason, and it's not only because of Robin Williams' performance, which is reason enough to give it a watch. Rather, Hook feels like a grittier representation of this story, arguably highlighting the fact that it is, in part, a tale about pirates much better than other adaptations have. What's more, Hook captures the spirit of the Peter Pan story while still offering something innovative and new. After all, the focus of this movie is primarily about how Peter Pan isn't a boy anymore—a complete reversal of the typical narrative. But, as anyone who loves the movie will know, there is also an indescribable quality to Hook that demands a watch, despite Steven Spielberg's words (and it's not just the scene in which they chant "Rufio!") Release Date December 11, 1991 Runtime 142 minutes Director Steven Spielberg Cast Peter Banning / Peter Pan Writers James V. Hart, Malia Scotch Marmo Producers Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy, Gerald R. Molen