John Cena’s $10 million box office bomb,Freelance, is now a sleeper hit on Netflix. The action comedy movie, directed byTaken’sPierre Morel, follows lawyer Mason Pettits (Cena) as he is launched back into his former U.S. Special Forces operative role to protect journalist Claire Wellington (Alison Brie) while she interviews a South American dictator.
Released in 2023,Freelancewas made on a budget of $40 million, but failed to break even, earning only $10.2 million at the box office worldwide. This disastrous box office isn’t the only reason the film is considered a flop, asFreelancealsodebuted with a shockingly low 0% Rotten Tomatoesscore, which has since risen to just 10%.
Now, according toNetflix, John Cena’sFreelancemovieis seeing a resurgence on the streaming platform, ranking as a trending title in the United States.Freelanceis currently sitting at No. 7 in the Top 10 Movies in the U.S. today, marking a surprising comeback for the box office bomb.
What Streaming Success Means For Freelance
The transformation ofFreelanceinto a Netflix sleeper hit highlights a growing trendthat showcases the power of streamers to resurrect films that struggled theatrically. Netflix has consistently demonstrated its ability to better perceptions ofaction movies with low Rotten Tomatoes scores, andFreelanceis just another example of that, achievingthe exposure it failed to in theaters.
Furthermore, despite critics panning the film,Freelancefared better with audiences, earning a steady 76% Popcornmeter. As a result, there is clearly a stark difference between audience and critical opinion, leading many to wonder ifcritics got it wrong with the “Rotten” ratingof John Cena’s 2023 movie, especially given its recent streaming success.
Our Take On John Cena’s Freelance
Freelancemay have flopped in theaters, but its streaming resurgence proves thatsometimes familiarity and sheer entertainment value are all a film needs to be a hit with viewers. Cena has featured in various action comedy roles in recent years, steadily proving himself as a fantasticwrestler turned actor, especially with hits like James Gunn’sPeacemakerTV series spinoff.
WhileFreelanceis certainly not thebest of John Cena’s movies, it has its own charm, with its silly action being entertaining enough for casual viewers. Furthermore, it’s an interesting notion that we might see more movies likeFreelancetransforming from flops into cult hits via streaming sites like Netflix, proving success isn’t always defined by opening weekend.
