Ryan Gosling’s The Fall Guy is experiencing an impressive resurgence on Prime Video, months after its lukewarm box office performance. Initially released in May 2024, the action-comedy film, directed by David Leitch, had positive reviews but struggled to meet expectations, earning $181 million globally on a hefty $125 million budget. However, since its streaming debut in September, the film has shattered records on Prime Video and has now risen to the platform’s most popular movie as of January 2025, surpassing notable titles like The Creator and Red One. This newfound success underscores the film’s appeal to home audiences, who are embracing its unique blend of romance, humor, and action.
The streaming success of The Fall Guy highlights a recurring trend in Hollywood: certain films find their true audience post-theatrical release. With a critics’ score of 82% and an audience score of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie’s engaging story and chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt resonate well with viewers. For many, the accessibility of streaming services allows films like The Fall Guy to gain a second life, reaching wider and more diverse audiences than they might have in theaters. This highlights the growing importance of platforms like Prime Video in reshaping a movie’s narrative long after its initial release.
While The Fall Guy has proven to be a crowd-pleaser on streaming, its financial struggles remain a cautionary tale about big-budget filmmaking. The $125 million production cost is unusually high for a romantic action-comedy, and a lower budget might have changed the trajectory of the film’s box office story. Nevertheless, its streaming performance may provide valuable lessons for studios about audience preferences and distribution strategies. With a strong reception online, the movie cements its place as a beloved title for fans of Gosling and action-packed romances.
Despite its recent success, the possibility of a sequel remains uncertain. Ryan Gosling has expressed interest in returning to the role of Colt Seavers, but the film’s underwhelming box office run could deter studios from greenlighting The Fall Guy 2. Unless streaming and VOD numbers remain consistently strong in the coming months, a sequel may not come to fruition. However, the movie’s current popularity on Prime Video showcases its potential as a long-term hit, reminding Hollywood of the unpredictable ways audiences connect with films in the streaming age.
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