The 91% Rated Sci-Fi Action Hit You Forgot Was Based on a Marvel Comic Returns To Dominate Streaming Actorsvaultpro

A classic sci-fi action movie that many people forget is based on a Marvel comic has returned to the streaming charts 28 years after its theatrical release. Hitting cinemas on July 2, 1997, the sci-fi favorite that focuses on secret agents who monitor and police extraterrestrials earned a whopping $589 million at the box office, and spawned three sequels, two of which are also trending at the moment.

We’re talking, of course, about Men in Black, Barry Sonnenfeld’s excellent sci-fi action classic that stars Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. Written by Ed Soloman, many tend to forget that it was based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name that was created by Lowell Cunningham. Granted, the series was originally published by Aircel Comics, which was later acquired by Malibu Comics before it was acquired by Marvel, but that doesn’t discount the fact that in a parallel universe MIB could be considered part of the MCU. While the film took obvious liberties with the source material to become its own thing, it did it in such a way that made Men Black hard to ignore at the box office.

Also starring Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Rip Torn, Men in Black is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a 91% rating from critics, and for good reason. It’s become a timeless classic that still holds up today thanks to its blend of sci-fi, humor, and action, which all work together to create a fun crowd-pleaser. Check out the synopsis below:

“Working for a highly funded yet unofficial government agency, Kay (Jones) and Jay (Smith) are the Men in Black, providers of immigration services and regulators of all things alien on Earth. While investigating a series of unregistered close encounters, the MIB agents uncover the deadly plot of an intergalactic terrorist who is on a mission to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies currently in residence in New York City.”

Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in Men In Black

Sony Pictures Releasing

Per Flix Patrol, Men in Black is currently ranked at #5 on the streamer’s list of Top 10 movies. It’s sandwiched in between the Will Ferrell comedy, Stepbrothers, and the Lesie Neilson classic, The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear. Not too shabby for a movie that came out almost three decades ago. That only speaks to the longevity Men in Black has enjoyed, as even today, people still have fun watching it and showing it to their own kids as a shining example of a classic sci-fi adventure they grew up on.

While the merits of the sequels are highly debatable, they’re still fun in their own right, and are also being enjoyed years after their release. Men in Black II is currently trending on Paramount+, sitting comfortably in the #8 spot on the Top 10. Men in Black 3, which came out in 2012, is also on there at #9.

Noticeably absent is Men in Black: International, which came out in 2019 and was a massive flop with critics and divided fans down the aisle. It holds just a 23% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and an audience score of 66%. It’s currently not available to stream on any service, but it is available to rent or purchase on all VOD platforms.

For those looking to enjoy the original trilogy, be sure to add Men in Black to your watchlist and check it out on Paramount+ this coming weekend for a heavy dose of nostalgia.