So, you’re looking for where to watch The Pit. It sounds simple. You type it into a search bar, hit enter, and expect a big "Play" button to pop up on Netflix or Max.
But it’s never that easy, is it?
The problem is that "The Pit" isn’t just one thing. Depending on who you ask, you’re either looking for the gritty 2020 Mongolian drama (originally Zakh), the 1981 Canadian horror cult classic with the creepy teddy bear, or maybe that weirdly unsettling 2017 short film.
I’ve spent way too much time navigating the labyrinth of regional licensing to figure out exactly which platform holds the keys to these movies right now. Honestly, streaming rights are a mess. One day a movie is on Prime Video, and the next, it’s vanished into the "currently unavailable" abyss because a contract expired at midnight in a time zone you don't live in.
Finding the 2020 Mongolian Drama
If you are searching for the 2020 film directed by Janchivdorj Sengedorj, you’re probably after one of the more visually striking pieces of international cinema from the last few years. It’s a raw, sometimes brutal look at life in the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar.
Currently, the most reliable place to find this specific version of where to watch The Pit is through international film festival platforms or specific boutique streamers like MUBI. MUBI is notorious for cycling films in and out, so you have to check their "Now Showing" list frequently.
If it’s not there, you’re looking at Amazon Prime Video, but usually as a rental. It’s rarely "free" with a Prime subscription unless you’re in a specific territory like the UK or parts of Asia. I’ve noticed that Google Search often lies to people about what's "free" on Prime—it’ll show the poster, but when you click it, you see that annoying "This video is currently unavailable in your location" message.
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The 1981 Horror Classic: A Different Beast
Maybe you aren’t looking for high-brow Mongolian cinema. Maybe you want the movie where a kid finds a hole in the ground filled with man-eating monsters and a sentient teddy bear named Teddy tells him to kill people.
That 1981 flick is a staple for horror nerds.
For this one, Tubi is usually your best friend. Tubi is basically the king of "weird 80s movies that disappeared." Because it's ad-supported, they tend to snag the rights to cult classics that the bigger players like Netflix won't touch.
You can also find it on Kino Now or Shudder occasionally. Shudder is owned by AMC, and they specialize in this kind of stuff. If you have an AMC+ subscription, you might already have access without realizing it. It’s worth a quick search in the app.
Why You Can’t Find It on Netflix
People ask why they can't find where to watch The Pit on Netflix. It’s a valid question.
Netflix has shifted its strategy. They don't want to rent movies from other studios anymore; they want to own the "Original" tag. Unless Netflix produced it, they likely won't keep it long-term. Small indie films and older cult movies are the first to get the axe when the budget gets tight.
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Also, licensing is regional. A movie might be on Netflix France but totally absent in the US. This is why people get frustrated. They see a TikTok clip, go to Netflix, and find nothing.
What About YouTube?
Believe it or not, YouTube is a legitimate option for where to watch The Pit, especially the older versions.
There are two ways this works:
- YouTube Movies: You pay $3.99 to rent it. It’s boring but reliable.
- The "Grey" Uploads: Sometimes, rights holders just forget about 40-year-old movies. Channels like "Cult Cinema Classics" or "Rare Horror" occasionally upload full movies legally because the copyright has lapsed or they've struck a deal. Just be prepared for 360p resolution. It adds to the 80s vibe, I guess.
The VPN Factor: A Necessary Evil?
If you’re desperate to watch a specific version of The Pit that is only available in, say, Canada or South Korea, you’ve probably thought about a VPN.
It works. Mostly.
Platforms like NordVPN or ExpressVPN allow you to spoof your location. If where to watch The Pit leads you to a site like Crave (which is Canada-only) or BFI Player (UK-only), a VPN is the only way through the door. Just keep in mind that Netflix and Disney+ have gotten really good at blocking these. They recognize the IP addresses of major VPN servers and will throw a "proxy error" at you.
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Avoid the "Free Movie" Scams
Search for where to watch The Pit and you’ll find a dozen sites with names like "GoMovies-123-Free-HD."
Don't do it.
I’m not even being a moralist here; I’m being practical. These sites are a nightmare for your hardware. They’re riddled with "invisible" overlays. You click "Play," and instead of a movie, three new tabs open up trying to install a "Chrome Update" that is definitely not a Chrome update.
If you can’t find it on a legitimate streamer, check JustWatch or Reelgood. These are aggregators. They track exactly which service has which movie in real-time. They aren't 100% perfect, but they’re better than guessing.
Actionable Steps to Watch It Now
First, identify exactly which "The Pit" you want. If it’s the 2020 one, check MUBI or Amazon rentals first. If it's the 1981 one, go straight to Tubi—it’s free, just with ads.
Second, if you're hit with a "Not available in your country" block, check the Canadian or British versions of the same apps using a VPN. Often, what's gone from US Netflix is still sitting on UK Netflix.
Third, if you're a physical media collector, look for the Blu-ray. The 1981 version had a great release by Kino Lorber. Sometimes the only way to ensure you can watch a movie whenever you want is to actually own the disc. No "licensing agreement" can take a plastic disc off your shelf.
Check your local library’s digital catalog too. Apps like Kanopy or Hoopla are free with a library card and carry a massive amount of indie and international cinema that the big streamers ignore. It’s the best-kept secret in streaming.