# Where to watch The Arrival (1996) in the UK

> The Arrival (1996) is available to watch free in the UK on Rakuten TV. It can also be rented from Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, and YouTube or bought from Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, and YouTube. Last verified on 5 May 2026 by ScreenSearch.

**Type:** Film  
**Year:** 1996  
**Runtime:** 115 minutes  
**TMDB rating:** 6.0/10  
**Genres:** Science Fiction, Thriller, Horror  
**Region:** United Kingdom (GB)  
**Last verified:** 5 May 2026 (2026-05-05T12:54:27.167Z)  

## Synopsis

Zane Ziminski is an astrophysicist who receives a message that seems to have extraterrestrial origins. Eerily soon after his discovery, Zane is fired. He then embarks on a search to determine the origins of the transmission that leads him into a Hitchcockian labyrinth of paranoia and intrigue.

## Streaming options in the United Kingdom

### Free (with ads or TV licence)

- [Rakuten TV](https://rakuten.tv/uk/search?q=The%20Arrival)

### Rent (typically 24-48 hours)

- [Apple TV Store](https://tv.apple.com/gb/search?term=The%20Arrival)
- [Rakuten TV](https://rakuten.tv/uk/search?q=The%20Arrival)
- [Google Play Movies](https://play.google.com/store/search?q=The%20Arrival&c=movies)
- [Sky Store](https://www.sky.com/search?q=The%20Arrival)
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=The%20Arrival+film)

### Buy (digital download)

- [Apple TV Store](https://tv.apple.com/gb/search?term=The%20Arrival)
- [Rakuten TV](https://rakuten.tv/uk/search?q=The%20Arrival)
- [Google Play Movies](https://play.google.com/store/search?q=The%20Arrival&c=movies)
- [Sky Store](https://www.sky.com/search?q=The%20Arrival)
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=The%20Arrival+film)

## Frequently asked questions

**Where can I watch The Arrival for free in the UK?**

The Arrival (1996) is available free (with adverts or a TV licence) on Rakuten TV in the United Kingdom.

**How much does it cost to rent The Arrival?**

Rental prices vary by service and tier (HD vs 4K), typically £3.49 to £5.99 in the UK for a 48-hour rental. ScreenSearch links you straight to Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, and YouTube so you can check the current price.

**Can I buy a digital copy of The Arrival?**

Yes. The Arrival can be bought as a digital download from Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, and YouTube in the UK. A purchased digital copy lives in that storefront's library and stays available as long as the licence holds.

**Is The Arrival on Netflix, Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video in the UK?**

The Arrival is not currently included with any major UK subscription service. It may still be available to rent or buy.

**How accurate is this film's availability data?**

Availability is sourced from The Movie Database (TMDB), which in turn pulls from JustWatch. Listings are refreshed daily. For purchase decisions, the provider's own site is the source of truth.

## Sources

- Streaming availability: The Movie Database (TMDB), refreshed daily.
- Underlying licensing data: JustWatch.
- Canonical URL: https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/10547/the-arrival-1996
- Poster image: https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/jgPMhzBAZSTMe5sRkNThiuR7dO0.jpg
- JSON variant: https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/10547/the-arrival-1996.json

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