Where to Watch District 9 in Canada (2023)

“District 9” explores the idea of an alien invasion framed from a different point of view. Neil Blomkamp’s beloved sci-fi flick sees alien refugees stranded on Earth and subjected to inhospitable living conditions.

Discover how aliens found refuge on Earth. Find out where you can watch “District 9” in Canada.

What Is District 9 About?

“District 9” is a sci-fi action film based on Neil Blomkamp’s short film titled “Alive in Joburg.” The film expands upon the short film’s premise – aliens have arrived on Earth, not as conquerors but as stranded vagrants.

In 1982, a massive alien craft arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa. The ship was carrying millions of stranded aliens dubbed as “prawns.” The aliens relocated to a militarized zone known as District 9, where they lived in a destitute and lawless state. 

At present, the prawns are getting ready to relocate to a new settlement. A bureaucrat named Wikus van de Merwe leads the relocation effort, whose life changes when Wikus is subjected to a mutagenic substance – causing Wikus to slowly transform into a prawn. With the authorities on his tail and nowhere left to run, Wikus must join forces with other prawns to find a cure and help them return home.

“District 9” was released in theaters on August 14, 2009. The film retells Neil Blomkamp’s short film within a 112-minute runtime.

Who Are in the Cast and Production of District 9?

Award-winning South-African filmmaker Neil Blomkamp directed the riveting sci-fi flick. The acclaimed sci-fi film is Blomkamp’s first feature film. Blomkamp co-wrote the film with his wife Terri Tatchell. Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham of the “Lord of the Rings” film franchise served as the film’s producers. QED International, WingNut Films, and TriStar Pictures produced the film, while Sony Pictures Releasing distributed the film. “District 9” features lesser-known yet talented South African actors like:

• Shartlo Copley as Wikus van de Merwe
• Jason Cope as Christopher Johnson
• David James as Colonel Koobus Venter
• Kenneth Nkosi as Thomas
• Vanessa Haywood as Tania Smit-van de Merwe
• Eugene Wanangwa Khumbanyiwa as Obesandjo
• Louis Minaar as Piet Smit

What is the Rating for District 9?

“District 9” is rated 14A in Canada. Neil Blomkamp’s famous sci-fi film contains plenty of violent and gory action sequences. Characters are shot, killed, and injured in gruesome ways and in extreme detail. The film dabbles with mature and complex issues concerning xenophobia, segregation, and exploitation of minority groups. The film is not fit for viewing by individuals younger than 14 years iold.

How Many People Watch District 9?

“District 9” fared well at the box office. The sci-fi action film ranked number 1 at the weekend box office, debuting with $37.4 million in its first week. The commercial success of “District 9” was attributed to its unorthodox viral marketing campaign.

How Are the Reviews for District 9?

Critics and sci-fi connoisseurs praised Neil Blomkamp’s first soiree as a feature film director. Film critics adored Blomkamp at Tatchell’s original screenplay, with much of the praise aimed towards the compelling character dynamics and thematic story elements. 

“District 9” garnered several prestigious award nominations, including Best Visual Effects, Best Adapted Screenplay, and the coveted Best Picture award. While it didn’t bag any Academy Awards, the film won the Bradbury Award from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. “District 9” remains one of the genre’s finest examples and is often hailed as one of the best sci-fi films of all time.

“District 9” earned a 7.9 rating from IMDb and an 81% metascore from Metacritic. Rotten Tomatoes gave Neil Blomkamp’s first sci-fi feature a certified fresh score of 90%. Find out why “District 9” is an amazing sci-fi film:

• “A sci-fi-fueled indictment of man’s inhumanity to man — and the non-human — District 9 is all horribly familiar, and transfixing.” – John Anderson of The Washington Post
• “District 9 proves that genre films, besides being a hell of a lot of fun, can say things you hadn’t considered and show stuff you haven’t seen.” – Richard Corliss of TIME Magazine 

Where to Watch District 9 in Canada?

Check out Neil Blomkamp’s highly praised sci-fi action flick on HBO Max and VOD.

Is District 9 Available on Streaming?

HBO Max

“District 9” is currently streaming on HBO Max. The streaming service is inaccessible to Canada, so a VPN is mandatory for streaming on the platform. Feel free to stream HBO Max’s other thought-provoking sci-fi titles like “Watchmen,” “Avatar: The Way of Water,” and “Chernobyl.”

Plan	With Ads	Ad-free	Number of Devices	Resolution
Monthly	CAD$9.99	CAD$15.99	5 Devices	HD
Annual	CAD$99.99	CAD$149.99	5 Devices	4K HD

Is District 9 Available for Rent (VOD)?

You can stream “District 9” on several VOD services. You can either purchase or rent the film. Just a heads up, rented films are subject to a limited viewing period.

Platform	Rent	Purchase
Amazon	CAD$3.99	CAD$7.99
iTunes	CAD$4.99	CAD$14.99
Google Play Store	CAD$3.99	CAD$14.99
Microsoft Store	CAD$4.99	CAD$14.99
Cineplex Store	CAD$3.99	CAD$14.99

Is District 9 Available on Cable or Free TV?

There’s no word yet on when “District 9” will invade TV channels, but the stimulating sci-fi film is available on DVD.

Should I Use a VPN to Watch District 9?

You would need to use a VPN service if you wish to stream “District 9.” Using the listed VOD services will provide you with a VPN-free streaming experience.

They Come In Peace

“District 9” reexamines the alien invasion trope and completely subverts it, resulting in a truly unique and provocative sci-fi narrative that forces audiences to peer into the genre from a different angle. You can experience “District 9” on HBO Max and VOD services available in Canada.