The ’90s Sci-Fi Action Franchise Blockbuster You Can Stream Right Now Without Netflix
The 1994 sci-fi action adventure film Stargate is streaming on Tubi. Directed by Roland Emmerich from a script he co-wrote with Dean Devlin, it stars Kurt Russell, James Spader, Jaye Davidson, Alexis Cruz, Mili Avital, and Viveca Lindfors. The story follows a group of explorers who discover an ancient portal device called a stargate that transports them to a planet ruled by a despotic alien, Ra.
The Movie That Started It All
The story begins in 1928 when an ancient artifact is discovered in Egypt by archaeologist Professor Langford and his daughter Catherine. In 1994, Egyptologist and linguist Dr. Daniel Jackson (James Spader) is recruited by Catherine to decipher the hieroglyphs on the artifact. It is revealed to be a stargate – a device that uses celestial configurations as coordinates to create a portal.
A Forgotten Kurt Russell Action Film
The stargate becomes part of a U.S. Air Force project overseen by Special Operations Colonel Jack O’Neil (Kurt Russell), who accompanies Jackson through a portal. Along with a team, the pair emerges on the arid desert planet of Abydos. In the ancient ruins, they find a society enslaved by the tyrannical Ra (Jaye Davidson), an extraterrestrial being masquerading as the Egyptian god.
Ra
Jackson tries to decipher the symbols needed to return home but fails. As the group navigates the alien world, O’Neil’s team discovers the oppressed natives are mining a precious mineral for Ra’s alien technology. Through alliances forged with the local tribe and revelations from ancient markings, Jackson uncovers the truth about Ra.
Egyptian Aliens
As tensions escalate and battles ensue, Jackson and O’Neil lead a daring rebellion against Ra’s oppressive regime. Amid the chaos, sacrifices are made, alliances are tested, and the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance. In a climactic Stargate showdown, Jackson confronts Ra, armed with the knowledge of humanity’s resilience and the courage to defy tyranny.
Planting The Seeds
With the help of his colleagues, Jackson and O’Neil orchestrate a daring plan to vanquish Ra and liberate Abydos from his grip. The stargate becomes a beacon of hope, signaling the dawn of a new era for Earth and Abydos. As the dust settles and the echoes of battle fade, Jackson makes a choice that will alter his destiny forever.
A Record-Setting Debut
Stargate was released in October 1994 and performed well at the box office despite receiving mixed reviews from critics. The movie earned $71,567,262 in the United States and an additional $125 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $196,567,262. At the time of its release, the film made history by setting a new record for the highest-grossing opening weekend for any movie released in October.
Stargate SG-1
The success of the 1994 film led to the creation of a franchise that began with Stargate SG-1. The series premiered in 1997 and served as a direct sequel to the movie, introducing new characters and storylines. The show follows the adventures of a team of military and civilian personnel who use the stargate device to explore other planets and civilizations across the galaxy.
Even More Spinoffs
Throughout the series, SG-1 works to defend Earth from threats while also seeking to uncover the secrets of the stargate and its creators. The series, which was arguably more popular than the 1994 Stargate film, ran for 10 seasons and spawned multiple spinoff series, including Stargate Atlantis and Stargate Universe.
