Gerard Butler has established himself as a prominent figure in the action film genre, a trend that has intensified over the past decade. He first gained widespread recognition through his performances in notable films such as Reign of Fire (2002) and 300 (2006). Following those successes, Butler starred in several thrilling action titles, including RocknRolla (2008), Gamer (2009), and Machine Gun Preacher (2011). However, it was not until 2013 that his status as an action hero solidified with the release of Olympus Has Fallen.
The success of Olympus Has Fallen marked a new chapter in Butler’s career, leading to two sequels: London Has Fallen (2016) and Angel Has Fallen (2019). In addition to these films, he appeared in a diverse array of action movies, including Geostorm (2017), Hunter Killer (2018), Greenland (2020), Copshop (2021), and Plane (2023). Among these, one film from 2018 gained significant popularity.
Currently, a fourth installment in the Has Fallen franchise, titled Night Has Fallen, is in the works, although a release date has not yet been announced.
Den of Thieves: A Streaming Sensation Revisited
Den of Thieves: A Modern Action Classic
After a seven-year hiatus, Den of Thieves has surged in popularity on streaming platforms. Directed by Christian Gudegast, this action thriller features Butler as “Big Nick”O’Brien, the head of a specialized LAPD task force pursuing a group of former military bank robbers. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film resonated with viewers, grossing a remarkable $80 million worldwide against a budget of $30 million, particularly famed for its climactic shootout scene.
According to recent analytics from Reelgood, during the week of January 2 – 8, Den of Thieves ranked as the ninth most popular streamed movie in the United States. This resurgence can likely be attributed to the anticipation surrounding its sequel, Den of Thieves: Pantera, featuring the return of both Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr. In streaming rankings, the 2018 original has outperformed The Six Triple Eight (2024) but is still behind Challengers (2024), Emilia Pérez (2024), and the leading title, The Substance (2024).
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Reelgood Top 10 Streaming Movies (Jan. 2 – 8) |
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|---|---|
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1 |
The Substance |
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2 |
Conclave |
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3 |
Juror #2 |
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4 |
Nightbitch |
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5 |
Carry-On |
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6 |
The Fall Guy |
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7 |
Emilia Perez |
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8 |
Challengers |
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9 |
Den of Thieves |
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10 |
The Six Triple Eight |
Implications of Den of Thieves‘ Streaming Success for the Sequel
The Prospects for Pantera
Although Den of Thieves holds a modest 41% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a lukewarm 63% audience score, its streaming success indicates that it has struck a chord with viewers, gaining popularity over the years. This increase in viewership could signal high anticipation for its sequel, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, which has received a more favorable 67% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
With early reviews for Pantera being more positive than those for its predecessor, Butler’s next venture could potentially be a significant hit if audiences turn out to support it in theaters. A successful sequel could lead to the greenlighting of a third installment, establishing Butler with another franchise akin to the Has Fallen series, reinforcing his status as a key player in the mid-budget action genre. While the future of this franchise remains uncertain, it’s evident that fans are eagerly rewatching Den of Thieves in anticipation of Big Nick’s next high-stakes adventure.
Source: Reelgood
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