BEST OVERALL Peacock Premium annual subscription $5.99/month or $59.99/year
BEST FOR XFINITY CUSTOMERS Peacock Premium Free or $2.99/month with eligible Xfinity accounts (save $5.99/month or $3/month)
BEST FOR SPECTRUM CUSTOMERS Peacock Premium Free for one year (Spectrum TV customers) or 90 days (Spectrum internet customers) (save $49.99/year or $4.99/month)
BEST NON-STREAMING OPTION Rent on Amazon Prime Video $17.74
BEST FOR STUDENTS & FIRST RESPONDERS Peacock Premium for Students $1.99/month for one year (save $4/month)
Filled with many of Wes Anderson's regular cohort, Asteroid City, as Mashable Film Editor Kristy Puchko put it, is "for the fans." It's a kaleidoscopic comedy with melancholic overtones and an inexplicable plot — or, in other words, an Anderson masterpiece. And you no longer have to head to the theater to watch it.
Asteroid Citywill begin streaming exclusively on Peacock on Aug. 11 and we've rounded up the best ways for you to watch at home. Here's what you need to know.
What is Asteroid City about?
As Mashable Film Editor Kristy Puchko so eloquently notes in her review of the film, Asteroid Cityis about "the connections made every day in ways large and small, remarkable and lasting."
But if you're looking for a more specific description, the film is set in 1955 in a fictional American desert town. A group of young stargazers and their parents convene at an annual Asteroid Day celebration. A surprise visit from an alien upends the festivities and throws those trapped in the desert locale into existential crises, where they ponder "the meaning of life, death, love, and the unknowable infinite beyond the stars."
The pastel flick is a wondrous blend of comedy, drama, and romance — and there's even a slight dose of science fiction thrown in.
Is Asteroid City streaming?
Asteroid Cityis already available on digital, Blu-ray, and DVD. And as of Aug. 11, it officially starts streaming on Peacock as well. This comes less than two months after the official theatrical release, which is great news for Wes Anderson fans who haven't made it out to the theater.
If you're already a Peacock subscriber, you're in good shape. All you have to do is wait for the film to appear on the streaming service on Aug. 11. If you're not a subscriber yet, we've rounded up the best ways for you to watch below.
How to watch Asteroid City at home
Best Peacock deal for most people
Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium Like most streamers, Peacock recently suffered a dreaded price hike. Surprisingly, though, it's still one of the most affordable streaming services around at just $5.99/month (for the Premium Plan with ads). For ad-free viewing, you'll have to fork over some extra cash and pay $11.99/month for the Premium Plus Plan. If you just want to watch Asteroid Cityand be on your merry way, subscribing for a single month of Peacock and canceling is probably your best bet. For more bang for your buck, though, we recommend opting for an annual subscription. You'll pay more up front ($59.99/year or $119.99/year), but you'll actually be saving 17% in the long run. Plus, Peacock is also the streaming home to a bunch of other excellent films that just dropped (The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Polite Society, Renfield, etc.).
Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers
Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / Xfinity Peacock Premium Most Xfinity customers are probably aware that the original deal that gave them Peacock Premium for free ended on June 26. What some may not realize is that select customers still have the ability to secure a free subscription (or at least a discount). Xfinity customers with gigabit speeds and NOW TV customers can still secure Peacock Premium at no cost. Xfinity diamond and platinum rewards members with Xfinity internet service also can get Peacock for free by redeeming a reward for it. Just sign into xfinity.com/rewards, select the Peacock reward, and wait for an email with instructions on how to activate the offer.
Customers who aren't eligible for the free offers above, but previously received Peacock Premium for free with their X1 or Flex service, can score a discounted subscription through Aug. 25. Instead of paying full price ($5.99/month) for a Premium subscription, you'll get a $3 discount and pay just $2.99/month for a full year.
Best for Spectrum customers
Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / Spectrum Peacock Premium Spectrum TV and internet customers can get in on the fun, too. Spectrum TV customers can secure a free year of Peacock Premium, while internet customers can enjoy 90 days for free. Check out the terms and conditions for additional eligibility restrictions. The deal runs through Dec. 7, 2023, so be sure to snag it before then.
Best Peacock Deal for students
Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Students Students who happen to be Wes Anderson fans can snag a Peacock Premium subscription for only $1.99/month for an entire year. The only requirement is that you have a verifiable student status with SheerID. Once you pass the verification process, you'll receive a unique promo code to knock the usual $5.99/month fee down to only $1.99/month. That unique promo code will only be able to be used one time, so plan accordingly.
Related Stories
- How to watch 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' online (and possibly catch it for free)
- The epic tale of sisterhood 'Polite Society' is now streaming — here are the best ways to watch
- 'Asteroid City' star Jake Ryan can only watch YouTube while eating
- 'Asteroid City' has a spectacular Easter egg for Tim Burton fans
Best Peacock deal for first responders
Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for First Responders Similarly, the first responder discount drops a year of Peacock Premium down to just $1.99/month rather than $5.99/month. You'll be asked to verify your first responder status with SheerId, then receive a unique promo code once verified. Eligible first responders who continue to meet verification qualifications may continue to renew the offer annually. Just be sure to get a new promo code each time to secure the discount. Learn more about eligibility and offer terms here.
Can I get Peacock for free?
That's the million dollar question, isn't it? Peacock originally had a free tier for viewers to test the waters before committing to a paid subscription. However, the streamer recently did away with the free tier for new customers in hopes of getting more paid subscribers. We have a pro tip, though: if you subscribe to Peacock Premium for a month, then cancel your subscription, you'll be downgraded back to the free tier. So, it's not reallygone for good. Of course, in order to stream premium content like Asteroid City, you'll need to subscribe to a paid plan for at least a month. TL;DR: unless you're an eligible Xfinity or Spectrum customer, you'll have to pay somethingto watch Asteroid City.
Other ways to watch Asteroid City at home
Hate the idea of signing up for yet another streaming service just to watch Asteroid City? You can purchase or rent the Anderson absurdist arthouse comedy from digital video-on-demand platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and Apple TV+ in up to 4K quality. With rentals, you typically have a 30-day period to start watching the film and a 48-hour window once you start.
If you'd rather purchase a digital copy, you have the freedom to watch it whenever your heart desires. It'll cost you significantly more upfront, but you won't have to worry about monthly payments or remembering to cancel at a certain time.
Best non-streaming option
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Rent 'Asteroid City' in UHD Usually $19.99 to rent and $24.99 to purchase, Amazon Prime Video is running a deal that knocks the prices down to $17.74 and $22.24, respectively. It's certainly not the cheapest way to watch Asteroid City, but if you prefer to own it or rent it and be on your way, it's still a solid option for Anderson fans.
Honorable mentions
Buy in UHD on Amazon Prime Video — $22.74
Rent in 4K UHD on Vudu — $19.99
Buy in 4K UHD on Vudu — $24.99
Rent in 4K on Apple TV+ — $19.99
Buy in 4K on Apple TV+ — $24.99
Rent in UHD on YouTube — $24.99
Buy in UHD on YouTube — $19.99
Topics Film Streaming