14 Years Later, Russell Crowe's Most Divisive Period Piece Is Seeing Stars in Streaming Exit

1 day ago 6

Published Feb 26, 2026, 7:41 PM EST

Chris is a Senior News Writer for Collider. He can be found in an IMAX screen, with his eyes watering and his ears bleeding for his own pleasure. He joined the news team in 2022 and accidentally fell upwards into a senior position despite his best efforts.

For reasons unknown, he enjoys analyzing box office receipts, giant sharks, and has become known as the go-to man for all things Bosch, Mission: Impossible and Christopher Nolan in Collider's news division. Recently, he found himself yeehawing along to the Dutton saga on the Yellowstone Ranch.

He is proficient in sarcasm, wit, Photoshop and working unfeasibly long hours. Amongst his passions sit the likes of the history of the Walt Disney Company, the construction of theme parks, steam trains and binge-watching Gilmore Girls with a coffee that is just hot enough to scald him.

His obsession with the Apple TV+ series Silo is the subject of mockery within the Senior News channel, where his feelings about Taylor Sheridan's work are enough to make his fellow writers roll their eyes.

For years, few musical adaptations have resonated as deeply — both emotionally and at the box office — as one particular film that translated one of the most iconic stage productions in modern history to the big screen. It brought thunderous songs, heartbreaking moments, and Oscar-winning performances to a global audience and soon, streaming access to this cinematic spectacle will be harder to come by. One day more!

Les Misérables, the star-studded screen adaptation of the beloved stage musical, is leaving Prime Video at the end of February — meaning there’s less than a month left to stream this towering achievement before it disappears from the platform. Directed by Tom Hooper, the film brought Victor Hugo’s sweeping 19th-century drama to life with an unforgettable cast including Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Released in 2012, Les Misérables became an instant cultural event, grossing over $440 million worldwide and bringing the stage show’s anthemic songs and emotional arc to audiences who may never have seen it live. Hathaway’s performance as Fantine earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress — a testament to both her vocal prowess and the raw intensity she brought to the role.

How Good Is 'Les Mis'?

Collider’s review stated that Les Misérables remains an emotionally overwhelming, grand musical experience powered by remarkable performances — even if Hooper’s filmmaking choices frequently hold it back from true cinematic greatness. The review divided the film into two emotional halves. The first — focusing on Valjean, Fantine, and young Cosette — feels intimate and grounded despite the constant singing. The personal stakes resonate deeply, and many of the musical’s strongest numbers land here.

"Jackman, a Tony-winning musical performer, takes full advantage of the opportunity the film adaptation has provided him. The production allowed the actors to sing live, which put them in control of the tempo, rather than having to match playback of previously-recorded audio. While I disagree with a few of Jackman's choices, his rendition of 'Valjean's Soliloquy' does a remarkable job of setting the tone. The rest of the cast is also impressive, but Hathaway is unforgettable. It's the one time in the film where Hooper's static close-up works since it gives up complete control to Hathaway's heart-wrenching performance. 'I Dreamed a Dream' is a centerpiece song, and by the end of Hathaway's rendition, I was close to tears."

Les Misérables leaves Prime Video at the end of this month.