Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the most versatile and talented actors in Hollywood today. The actor has portrayed memorable characters across a wide range of genres in movies including Spider-Man: Far from Home, Brokeback Mountain, Nightcrawler, and Wildlife, earning numerous awards and critical acclaim along the way. Gyllenhaal made his acting debut with a small role in 1991’s City Slickers and logged several more films throughout the decade, but it was his role in a 1999 biographical drama that launched him to international stardom, and it’s finally streaming on a major platform.
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Director Joe Johnston’s 1999 movie October Sky, based on Homer Hickam’s 1998 memoir of the same name, started streaming on Peacock on September 1st. Prior to the film’s arrival on the NBCUniversal streamer, it had only been available to rent or buy. In the film, Gyllenhaal portrays Homer, the son of a West Virginia coal miner who is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps. Homer has other ideas, though. Enthralled by space and the 1957 launch of Soviet satellite Sputnik, he begins building rockets with the help of friends and his sympathetic teacher. Chris Cooper, Chris Owen, and Laura Dern also star.
Why You Should Watch October Sky
A completely charming film that provides an authentic portrayal of 1950s America, October Sky is an inspirational and heartwarming movie that the entire family can enjoy, and much of its success boils down to Gyllenhaal. The actor’s nuanced performance, which effectively showcased Homer’s passion and wonder, as well as his resilience, proved his potential as a leading man in Hollywood and served as the launching pad to his career. Gyllenhaal’s performance was boosted by stellar acting from the rest of the cast, particularly Gyllenhaal and Cooper’s compelling father-son dynamic.
October Sky remains one of Gyllenhaal’s most beloved and memorable films and ranks among his best both in terms of critics and audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie earned a rare “Certified Fresh” distinction on Rotten Tomatoes with a stellar 90% critics’ score. It holds an equally great 88% audience score, making it the actor’s fourth-highest-rated movie in terms of audience consensus. With a more than $34 million global box office haul, October Sky was also a moderate box office success. The movie also took home several awards, including the Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Family Film in 2000.
Other Movies Now On Peacock
Peacock’s streaming library is always evolving, with new titles coming and going every month. September 2025 is no different, and a rush of fresh movies are now streaming on the NBCUniversal streamer alongside October Sky.
21 Jump Street
22 Jump Street
3:10 To Yuma
Almost Famous
Billy Madison
The Birds
The Breakfast Club
Coming To America
Definitely, Maybe
Django Unchained
Downton Abbey
The Hateful Eight
Miss Congeniality
Miss Congeniality 2 Armed And Fabulous
Psycho
Reservoir Dogs
Robin Hood
Sicario
The Sixth Sense
United 93
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