Thirteen years after its theatrical release, Kathryn Bigelow’s critically acclaimed thriller, Zero Dark Thirty, has reappeared on a popular streaming service. Starting November 1, 2025, the film became available on Peacock shortly after departing from Pluto TV, giving fans of the director a fresh opportunity to watch the intense story about the hunt for Osama bin Laden.
Zero Dark Thirty, directed and produced by Bigelow, first premiered in Los Angeles on December 10, 2012, and opened widely in U.S. theaters on January 11, 2013. The movie stars Jessica Chastain in the lead role of Maya, a determined CIA intelligence analyst, with Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Ehle, Mark Strong, James Gandolfini, Harold Perrineau, Kyle Chandler, Chris Pratt, and Jeremy Strong rounding out the cast. The film explores the near-decade-long mission to track down the terrorist leader behind the September 11 attacks, underlining the efforts of American intelligence and military forces.
The Story Behind the Hunt for Osama bin Laden
Zero Dark Thirty traces the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, focusing on Osama bin Laden’s rise to becoming the world’s most-wanted fugitive. The movie highlights how two U.S. presidential administrations dedicated enormous resources to capturing him. Central to the narrative is Maya’s unwavering commitment, representing the female CIA operative whose intelligence work is depicted as crucial to finally finding bin Laden’s location. In May 2011, a covert Navy SEAL operation targeted bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, ending with his death during a nighttime raid.
Critical Reception and Accolades
Upon its release, Zero Dark Thirty earned widespread praise for its suspenseful and meticulously crafted storytelling. The film currently holds a 91% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics have described it as gripping and intense. Box office returns were strong as well, with over $132 million earned worldwide—including $95.7 million in the U.S. and Canada. The film received multiple industry honors, including four Golden Globe nominations, with Jessica Chastain winning Best Actress. It also secured five Academy Award nominations and won Best Sound Editing in a tie with Skyfall.
Returning to Peacock: Availability and What to Expect
Now streaming on Peacock, Zero Dark Thirty offers viewers a chance to revisit this tense and thought-provoking political thriller. With its return, the film stands as a reminder of the complexities and sacrifices behind intelligence operations during a tumultuous period in recent history. Although it is unclear how long the movie will remain on Peacock’s platform, audiences keen on Kathryn Bigelow Zero Dark Thirty should take advantage of this streaming window to experience the powerful dramatization once again.
As the film continues to resonate years after its debut, its presence on streaming services like Peacock suggests sustained interest in stories that examine real-world conflicts and espionage through gripping cinema.
