Alan Ritchson has officially cemented his status as a streaming powerhouse. His latest action film, a military sci-fi thriller directed by Patrick Hughes, has become Netflix's most-watched movie of 2026 so far. According to viewership data released by the streaming giant, the film drew a staggering 147 million views during the first half of the year.
This performance puts it ahead of the platform's second most-watched film by a margin of 11 million views. The success is even more impressive given that it also outperformed Netflix's most-watched television series by 44 million views. Co-written and directed by Patrick Hughes, the movie stars Ritchson as a nameless soldier grappling with trauma during an alien invasion, delivering a stripped-down, high-octane survival story.
The Return of the Physical Action Star
As Polygon's Tasha Robinson noted in her review, the film's appeal lies in its "competence porn." The soldiers are focused and efficient, the practical stunts have genuine physical weight, and the story moves with the stripped-down efficiency of a long chase sequence. This focus on practical stunt work and location shooting gives the film a gritty, tactile feel that stands out in a CGI-heavy landscape.
A significant part of the film's watchability is Ritchson's hulking physicality. The simple, straightforward story allows Hughes to emphasize the star's presence, evoking a lost era of Hollywood action movies. At this point, Ritchson's appeal feels practically bulletproof. "Put him in the path of an alien war machine, a corrupt conspiracy, or just about any kind of threat, and people will show up to watch him punch his way through it," Robinson wrote.
A Banner Year for Ritchson
This success comes at the peak of Ritchson's career. The star is currently riding high on the success of his hit Prime Video series, which is returning next month with a spinoff. Meanwhile, his upcoming revenge thriller has already generated significant buzz. If this Netflix hit is any indication, 2026 belongs to Alan Ritchson.