The 1990 Spy Thriller That Launched A Major Action Franchise Is Finally On Streaming

6 days ago 12

Published May 2, 2026, 5:31 PM EDT

Andy Behbakht has worked as an entertainment journalist since 2010, covering all the latest in Hollywood on both the big and small screens, from staying on top of the biggest breaking news, analyzing movies and television shows in Hollywood, to in-depth interviews with actors and storytellers.

Andy's career includes having worked for publications such as FanSided, KSiteTV, TV Fanatic, It's Just Movies, Heroic Hollywood, TV Overmind, and more. Outside of his career as an established reporter, Andy is the host and producer of The Showrunner Whisperer, The Flash Podcast, the editor-in-chief of Multiverse of Color, and the network director of DC TV Podcasts.

One of the most beloved genres in Hollywood has always been spy thrillers, allowing audience members to enter some of the most intense and exciting storytelling there is, whether it is with James Bond or Jack Ryan.

The Hunt for Red October, which stars Sean Connery as Marko Ramius, has landed on Paramount+ as of May 1 for subscribers in the United States. Based on Tom Clancy's famous novel of the same name from 1984, the film adaptation was originally released in theaters on March 2, 1990. John McTiernan directed the project based on a screenplay by Larry Ferguson and Donald E. Stewart.

Throughout its theatrical run, The Hunt for Red October ended up grossing over $200 million, after reportedly being produced on a $30 million budget. While many actors have played Jack Ryan in movies and TV shows since the 1990 entry, Alec Baldwin brought him to life in Connery's film, which also stars Tim Curry as Dr. Yevgeni Petrov, Scott Glenn as Commander Bart Mancuso, and James Earl Jones as Vice Admiral James Greer.

Regarded as one of the best spy movies of the 1990s, The Hunt for Red October won an Oscar for Best Sound Effects Editing at the 63rd Academy Awards, while also being nominated for Best Film Editing and Best Sound. Following the success of McTiernan's entry, several sequels were produced before the reboot in 2002 with Ben Affleck.

Ramius looks on sternly in The Hunt for Red October

While new audience members will get to experience the spy drama for the first time, The Hunt for Red October has continued to stay strong with its critical reception. At the time of this story's publication, it is sitting on 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as on the Popcornmeter.

The franchise is making a comeback in 2026 after nearly three years. After having played the leading role in the Prime Video TV show, which concluded in 2023, John Krasinski is reprising his iteration of the protagonist in Jack Ryan: Ghost War, slated to debut in theaters on May 20. Several cast members from the series will be back, including Wendell Pierce, Michael Kelly, and Betty Gabriel.

Catch The Hunt for Red October on Paramount+ in the United States.