Alexander Skarsgård's 'The Mummy' Replacement Is Officially a Streaming Hit
Michael John Petty is a Senior Author for Collider who spends his days writing, in fellowship with his local church, and enjoying each new day with his wife and daughters. At Collider, he writes features, reviews, recaps, and conducts interviews. In addition to writing about stories, Michael has told a few of his own. His novella, The Beast of Bear-tooth Mountain, was released in 2023. His Western short story, The Devil's Left Hand, received the Spur Award for "Best Western Short Fiction" from the Western Writers of America in 2025. Michael currently resides in North Idaho with his growing family.
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While Alexander Skarsgård might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of Hollywood action stars (though perhaps he is after The Northman), if you're looking for something full of adventure and excitement, then look to Tubi for one of his most underrated blockbusters. It's been a decade since The Legend of Tarzan hit theaters, but the film is currently making waves on the free-to-stream platform — and it's about time it's recognized for its contribution to the character's 100+ year history.
'The Legend of Tarzan' Is the Furthest Thing From the Sanitized Disney Movie
A decade ago, riding high off his success with the last few Harry Potter films, director David Yates attempted a bold re-imagining of one of modern literature's most famous adventure heroes. The Legend of Tarzan picks up with the former "King of the Apes" years after he has left the African jungle and returned to high British society. But when Tarzan, now known by his real name of John Clayton III, returns to the Congo, he does so seeking to discover the horrors of the slave trade propagated by Captain Léon Rom (Christoph Waltz) — a real historical figure re-imagined for this 19th-century tale. Things go haywire when John's wife, Jane (Margot Robbie), is kidnapped, and he must once more return to his jungle roots to stop the madman from his sinister activities. You can only imagine the sorts of jungle-fueled action spectacles that ensue, from tribal battles to deep-forest hunts to armies of apes and mercenaries going to war. It's the sort of adventure epic that would make Edgar Rice Burroughs — the same man who also penned the John Carter novels — proud.
The Legend of Tarzan was largely panned during its initial release, but there's a fun action movie buried in there. Skarsgård plays the adventurer with a sober restraint, not going full Tarzan until the moment the plot demands it, and offering a more complex and conflicted portrayal of the hero torn between two distinct (and different) worlds. For those only familiar with the Disney version, this Tarzan pulls more from Burroughs' pulpy adventure novels than it does the House of Mouse, using the character's cultural popularity to tell an enjoyable adventure tale that’s unlike what Hollywood makes these days. We cannot stress enough how different The Legend of Tarzan is in every respect from Disney's Tarzan — which is still great on its own, but perhaps not as reverent toward the source material as this live-action take. Not only is the 2016 blockbuster an earnest re-imagining of Burroughs' material, but it reminds us that there is so much more psychological depth to Tarzan and his multifaceted world than just the typical chest-beating and swinging through the trees. It's no wonder that Tubi audiences have pushed The Legend of Tarzan into its high-trending collection.
With an Excellent Cast and Stunning Visuals, 'The Legend of Tarzan' Is an Enjoyable Movie Night Blockbuster
Aside from Skarsgård, Robbie, and Waltz, The Legend of Tarzan boasts a fine cast that also includes Samuel L. Jackson as historical figure George Washington Williams, a veteran of the American Civil War and Indian Wars who aids the titular hero in his African quest, and Djimon Hounsou as Chief Mbonga, the leader of the fictional city of Opar. With these stars, Yates was able to craft a feature that echoes the pulp adventures of old, with brilliant visuals and excellent battle sequences that will stun audiences years later. Whether you're familiar with Burroughs' original novels or a newcomer who has only ever experienced the Disney take on the cultural icon, The Legend of Tarzan leaves no one behind as it meditates on the circumstances that made John Clayton into Tarzan as he learns to embrace all sides of him.
Although it has been forgotten by most after a decade of franchise-focused blockbusters and poor remakes and sequels, The Legend of Tarzan deserves more respect than critics gave it at the time. It may not be a perfect Tarzan adaptation, but it's a lot closer to the source than most — and it's no wonder it continues to find streaming success all these years later. It's also just loads of fun for anyone looking for an adventure film a little bit outside the usual action box.
The Legend of Tarzan is available for streaming for free on Tubi.
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