There are some movies that remain popular despite being completely historically inaccurate. “Pearl Harbor” is one of them, and the 2001 Ben Affleck movie is heading to Netflix in October. It’s certainly not the first time this wartime romance has landed on the streaming giant, but it’s rare, and that means you’ll want to pay attention.
“Pearl Harbor” may be historically inaccurate, and it may have a 24% Rotten Tomatoes rating, but it landed an Oscar win in 2002 for Best Sound Editing. It also has a 66% audience score, which makes it clear that while critics may have hated it, there’s still a lot to love for viewers.
When Is ‘Pearl Harbor’ Coming to Netflix?
You don’t need to wait too much longer. “Pearl Harbor” is one of the movies joining Netflix on Oct. 1, 2026. It will be joined by “The Sixth Sense” and “Happy Death Day 2U” for those who need a bit more of a scare this time of year. If you prefer sci-fi, then “Ad Astra” is finally coming to Netflix as well.
This is the latest push for third-party content, which tends to land on Netflix on the first of the month. It’s not clear how long the movie will remain on the streaming giant this time. In the past, licensed content like this has lasted a few months to a year or two, so if you really want to rewatch “Pearl Harbor” or introduce your children to it, then now is the time to watch.
It’s not the only Affleck release on the global giant during the month of October. On Oct. 9, the 2026 thriller “Animals” will join. On top of that, his “Pearl Harbor” co-star, Josh Hartnett, will also get another release, just a day earlier. The limited series “Below” is heading to the streamer around the world.
If you need something with Kate Beckinsale, who stars as the love interest in the 2001 flick, then you’ll be happy to know that the 2016 “Underworld: Blood Wars” is also joining Netflix on Oct. 1.
‘Pearl Harbor’ Is Based on True Events
GettyThe movie is very loosely based on the real events that transpired on the beach of Pearl Harbor in 1941. It follows the Japanese attack, which saw the explosion of the USS Arizona that led to its sinking within minutes. The attack was an attempt to prevent the Americans from joining the war effort against the Eastern enemies, yet it had the opposite effect.
The Michael Bay movie certainly takes liberties, which was the case for many wartime action movies at the time. It put the focus on the two heroes helping to fight back against the Japanese fleet, while also adding emotional layers through relationships and fear.
The biggest complaint from reviewers was that it was so inaccurate, leading to reviewers believing that it stained the memory of the real men and women who fought and died that morning at Pearl Harbor. However, audiences enjoyed the overall storytelling and the romance, especially the use of the love triangle, throughout the flick.
