Hugh Jackman’s Underrated Adaptation Of 8-Novel Fantasy Franchise Returns To Streaming In 2 Weeks

Hugh Jackman's underrated adaptation of an eight-novel fantasy franchise is coming back to streaming in just two weeks. Jackman's best movies may include a number of X-Men films thanks to his recurring role as Wolverine, but they're not the only fantasy-adjacent movies under his belt. Action movies like Van Helsing and the 1,000-year romantic drama The Fountain make for some compelling stories that aren't superhero-focused. But these are just a smattering of his fantasy movies that have managed to stand the test of time.

One of his most noteworthy is the 2012 animated fantasy action movie Rise of the Guardians. Based on the book series by William Joyce, the film follows a group of fairy tale guardians consisting of Santa Claus (Alc Baldwin), the Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher), the Easter Bunny (Jackman), and Sandman. As defenders of dreams, the core four recruit Jack Frost (Chris Pine) and the Boogeyman (Jude Law) to their ranks to fight a dark force that threatens the stability of the world. Jack acts as the core protagonist, with the rest of the Guardians also vital to the story.

Jackman's Rise Of The Guardians Is Coming To HBO Max

Now, 14 years after its theatrical release, Rise of the Guardians will soon be available to watch on HBO Max. The streaming service announced the film will arrive on the platform on November 1, 2026, just in time for the approaching holiday season. This marks the movie's official return to streaming after quite some time being unavailable on any streaming platform. As of writing, the only way to stream the movie without purchasing it is to watch it on YouTube free with ads.

But, now that it's available on streaming, it gives the DreamWorks movie an additional, more convenient home. Reviews for Rise of the Guardians were generally positive upon its release, with the film currently holding a Certified Fresh 75% on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie's fast pace, Avengers-style feel, and visually striking animation have earned it considerable praise, while the story has drawn criticism. Even so, the movie made an impact, and remains a considerable part of 21st century animation to this day.

The Fantasy Adventure Was Meant To Launch A Major Franchise

Rise of the Guardians was supposed to be the start of a new franchise based on the book series, featuring its core, mythical characters at the forefront. Unfortunately, the movie was a box office bomb, despite earning $306.9 million against a $146 million budget. This was because of marketing and distribution costs, which caused the movie to lose $87 million by the time it was out of theaters. This caused plans for a sequel to be shelved, alongside long-term expectations for a new animated franchise.

But, as a standalone movie, Rise of the Guardians still provides plenty of enjoyment that can be furthered by how easy it'll be to access via HBO Max. Because the film is a memorable part of Jackman's animated repertoire, the movie has managed to leave an impact that'll be felt all the more once it returns to streaming. With the movie coming in just one week, it won't be long until it gets a whole new audience to call home.