Gerard Butler has carved a notable niche for himself in the realm of action cinema, although he has a flair for romantic comedies as well. His journey in the action genre began in earnest back in 1997 with a supporting role in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies. This role marked the onset of a prolific career in action films, followed by early appearances in titles such as Tale of the Mummy and Fast Food. Most recently, Butler reprised his action persona in Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, which, despite its mixed performance at the box office, has gained traction on streaming platforms.
Butler has also ventured into the disaster thriller category. His performance in Greenland, directed by Ric Roman Waugh, showcased a gripping narrative about a family’s battle for survival amid a catastrophic natural disaster. The film, which also featured Morena Baccarin, Roger Dale Floyd, Scott Glenn, and Randal Gonzalez, experienced modest earnings due to its pandemic-era release. However, its popularity warranted a sequel that is now in the works, demonstrating Butler’s enduring appeal in this particular niche of action films. Presently, another of Butler’s disaster features is gaining attention on streaming services.
Geostorm Surges in Streaming Popularity
Critical Reception of the Film
Geostorm, released prior to Greenland, has unexpectedly ascended into the Netflix global top 10 list. The film, which combines elements of science fiction with disaster scenarios, narrates the tale of satellites intended for climate protection that inadvertently become harbingers of destruction. Despite receiving overwhelmingly negative reviews, with a mere 18% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Geostorm managed to gross approximately $221.9 million worldwide against a hefty $120 million budget.
Fast forward eight years since its initial release, and Geostorm has reinvented itself as a streaming success. According to Netflix, the film jumped to the number 4 spot on the platform’s global top 10 list, accumulating 8.9 million views. Notably, it captured the top position in the United States, further underscoring its resurgence. Other titles dominating the global top 10 included The Life List, One of Them Days, Alpha, Sniper: Rogue Mission, The Core, Kraven the Hunter, Con Mum, The Electric State, and Robinson Crusoe.
Implications of Geostorm’s Resurgence
Gerard Butler’s Impact on Its Success
The renewed interest in Geostorm can be significantly attributed to the rising popularity of Gerard Butler. The theatrical release of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera has reinvigorated audience interest in Butler, with this attention boosting viewership for Geostorm on streaming platforms. Remarkably, despite its underwhelming critical reception, the film’s success in streaming serves as a testament to Butler’s influential presence within the action film landscape.
Source: Netflix