Look, if you’re trying to figure out how to watch The Day of the Jackal, you’ve probably realized things are a bit messy right now. You search the title and you're hit with a 1973 masterpiece, a 1997 Bruce Willis action flick (that actually dropped the "Day of" from the title but everyone confuses them), and now a massive 2024/2025 high-budget series starring Eddie Redmayne. It’s a lot. Tracking down the right stream depends entirely on whether you want vintage political tension or the slick, modern cat-and-mouse game currently dominating the charts.
The 2024 series is the big one. It’s a Peacock Original in the United States. If you have a subscription there, you’re golden. But if you’re in the UK, it’s a Sky Atlantic and NOW TV situation. This isn't just a remake; it’s a complete ground-up reimagining of Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel. Instead of focusing solely on a 1960s plot to kill Charles de Gaulle, the new show drags the Jackal into the modern era of tech, surveillance, and global finance.
The Streaming Landscape for the New Series
Finding the Eddie Redmayne version is pretty straightforward if you know where the licensing deals landed. In the US, Peacock has the exclusive rights. They’ve been dropping episodes on a weekly cadence, though by the time you read this, the full season might be available for a weekend binge. It’s worth noting that Peacock’s tiers matter here; you’ll need at least the Premium plan to get through it without a ridiculous amount of ad breaks ruining the tension.
Outside the US, things get interesting. Sky Group handled the production, so Sky Atlantic is the home base for viewers in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, and Austria. If you don't have a satellite dish or a cable box, NOW (formerly NOW TV) is the streaming equivalent. They usually offer a "Entertainment" pass that covers this. In Canada, Showcase and STX have handled the rollout, often appearing on the Global TV app. Australian viewers usually find this kind of prestige drama on Binge or Foxtel Now.
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Honestly, the licensing is a headache. But that's the modern streaming war for you. You can't just find one home for a show and expect it to stay there globally.
Why People Keep Confusing the 1973 and 1997 Versions
We have to talk about the 1973 film directed by Fred Zinnemann. It is, quite frankly, one of the best thrillers ever made. Period. If you are trying to watch The Day of the Jackal for the first time, I actually recommend starting here. Edward Fox plays the Jackal with this cold, terrifying politeness that Redmayne clearly studied.
The 1973 version isn't always on the major "free with subscription" platforms like Netflix or Max. Usually, you’re looking at a rental situation. Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu typically have it for about $3.99. Sometimes it pops up on Tubi or Pluto TV for free with ads, but that’s hit or miss. It’s a slower burn. No shaky cam. No rapid-fire editing. Just pure, methodical planning.
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Then there is The Jackal (1997). It’s got Bruce Willis and Richard Gere. Most critics—and Frederick Forsyth himself—kind of hated it because it stripped away the political nuance for 90s action tropes. It’s currently floating around on platforms like Starz or available for digital purchase. If you want a fun action movie where Bruce Willis wears a bunch of weird disguises, go for it. If you want the actual "Jackal" experience, stick to the 1973 film or the 2024 series.
A Technical Note on International Access
Sometimes you're traveling and your home subscription doesn't follow you. It’s annoying. You’re in France, you pay for Peacock, but you can't log in. This is where people start looking at VPNs (Virtual Private Networks). While I can't vouch for every service, users frequently use things like ExpressVPN or NordVPN to hop back to their home region. Just be aware that streaming services are getting much better at blocking these "backdoors," so it's never a 100% guarantee.
Also, check your resolution settings. The new series was shot with some incredible cinematography by Igor Martinovic. If you’re watching on a mobile data plan that throttles you to 480p, you’re losing half the experience. The show uses a lot of wide, sweeping shots of European locales—London, Vienna, the Spanish coast—that really deserve 4K.
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What to Watch After the Jackal
Once you've finished the series or the original film, the itch for "professional assassin" content is usually pretty strong. There’s a specific vibe here—the "pro at work" trope. You want to see someone who is the best at what they do, even if what they do is terrible.
- The Killer (2023): Directed by David Fincher and starring Michael Fassbender. It’s on Netflix. It’s almost a spiritual successor to the Jackal’s cold, calculated style.
- Slow Horses: On Apple TV+. It’s less about a lone wolf and more about the messy side of British intelligence, but the tension is top-tier.
- Le Samouraï (1967): If you liked the 1973 Jackal, you have to watch this French classic. It’s the blueprint for the "silent, cool hitman" archetype.
Actionable Steps for Your Viewing
If you want the best experience, don't just click the first link you see. Follow this logic:
- Verify the year. Double-check the release date before hitting "Buy" or "Subscribe." You don't want to pay for the 1997 Willis version when you wanted the 2024 Redmayne series.
- Check Peacock's "Sample" episodes. Sometimes Peacock offers the first episode of their originals for free to lure you in. Check that before committing to a monthly sub.
- Opt for the 1973 film if you're a purist. It’s more faithful to the book’s tension and focuses heavily on the detective work of Commissioner Claude Lebel.
- Use JustWatch. This is a free tool (website and app) that tracks where movies are streaming in your specific country in real-time. It’s the only way to stay sane with how often these titles jump between services.
The Day of the Jackal remains a cornerstone of the thriller genre because it treats the audience like they're smart. Whether you’re watching the 1973 classic or the new high-stakes series, you're in for a masterclass in suspense. Just make sure you’re on the right platform so you aren't wasting your night on a version you didn't actually want to see.
To get started right now, head to Peacock in the US or Sky/NOW in the UK and search for the 2024 release. If you're looking for the original, check the "Store" or "Rent" section on your smart TV's dashboard; it's almost always available for a few bucks on Amazon or Apple.