Pierce Brosnan’s Survival Thriller Rises on Netflix’s Global Charts After 28 Years

Pierce Brosnan has left an indelible mark on cinema, particularly renowned for his portrayal of the iconic British secret agent, James Bond. The talented Irish actor made his Bond debut in 1995 with the highly acclaimed GoldenEye, subsequently reprising the role in three sequels that garnered mixed reviews. His journey as the suave 007 concluded with Die Another Day in 2002, yet he continued to showcase his versatility across various genres in the years that followed. Even during his time as Bond, Brosnan expanded his repertoire by taking on diverse roles that underscored his range as an actor, thereby asserting that he is far more than just 007.

Not long after his initial Bond outing, Brosnan showcased his comedic chops in Tim Burton’s quirky film Mars Attacks! (1996), where he portrayed Professor Donald Kessler. In 1997, he ventured into the disaster film genre with a gripping performance alongside Linda Hamilton in Dante’s Peak, directed by Roger Donaldson. Additionally, he featured in the romantic crime thriller The Thomas Crown Affair (1999), directed by John McTiernan. However, there’s one film from the late 1990s that has recently caught the spotlight once again, as audiences rediscover it on streaming platforms.

Robinson Crusoe Achieves Unexpected Popularity on Netflix

Brosnan’s Film Now Enjoys a Surge in Viewership

In a remarkable turn of events, Robinson Crusoe, released 28 years ago, has risen to popularity on Netflix. Co-directed by Rod Hardy and George Miller (distinct from the George Miller of the Mad Max series), this adventure survival film is based on Daniel Defoe’s classic 1719 novel. In the movie, Brosnan plays the titular character, a Scottish aristocrat turned navy officer who finds himself stranded on a deserted island after a fateful encounter leads him to flee from his homeland. Initially, the film saw a minimal release in the late ’90s, leaving it largely unnoticed by audiences at the time.

However, Netflix’s latest viewing statistics reveal that Robinson Crusoe has surged in popularity, ranking as the tenth most-watched film globally during the week of March 31 – April 6. It boasted 3.4 million views and 5.1 million total viewing hours, positioning it just behind other popular titles like The Electric State (2025), Con Mum (2025), and Kraven the Hunter (2024). Notably, the film made an appearance in the top 10 lists across 22 countries, including Italy, Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela.

It’s worth noting that Robinson Crusoe is not currently available for streaming on Netflix in the United States.

Implications of Robinson Crusoe’s Resurgence

The Film’s Initial Reception Was Limited

Initially, Robinson Crusoe had a negligible theatrical release in both the U.S. and the U.K. owing to its timing and marketing, leading to its underwhelming reception. Consequently, the film lacks extensive critical reviews and does not even hold a Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score. However, audience-driven scores indicate a lukewarm reception, as it currently sits at just 39% on the Popcornmeter. Due to its limited release, there’s also scant data on the box office performance, with Box Office Mojo reporting a mere $183,886 in gross earnings worldwide.

Despite its rocky start, the newfound interest in Robinson Crusoe underscores the lasting appeal of Brosnan as a leading man in film. The prominent display of his image on Netflix’s promotional material, combined with the recognizable title, may have captured the curiosity of many subscribers. This resurgence coincides with the launch of MobLand on Paramount+, a crime thriller series starring Brosnan that has generated buzz. Although Robinson Crusoe is yet to make waves in the U.S. market due to its inaccessibility there, it is evidently being rediscovered by global audiences.

Source: Netflix

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