Netflix's library is a revolving door of new releases, but only a select few earn a permanent spot in the streamer's hall of fame. This month, Alan Ritchson's sci-fi action film War Machine has done just that—blasting past Millie Bobby Brown's fantasy hit Damsel to claim the No. 10 position on Netflix's all-time most-watched movies list.
Since its premiere three months ago, War Machine has been a ratings juggernaut. The film racked up 139 million views and a staggering 252 million watch hours, staying in Netflix's global top 10 for eight consecutive weeks. That momentum finally pushed it past Damsel, which previously held the tenth spot. Now, Ritchson's thriller is eyeing the next target: Ryan Gosling's The Gray Man, which sits just 300,000 views ahead. Given the film's staying power—and the recent announcement of a sequel—that milestone seems well within reach.
Directed by Patrick Hughes (The Hitman's Bodyguard), War Machine blends futuristic sci-fi with pulse-pounding action and emotional stakes. Ritchson plays a Ranger recruit known only as Number 81, who joins a group of trainees on a final survival exercise. But what starts as a routine mission turns deadly when a relentless killing machine begins picking them off one by one. With no backup and limited options, 81 and the remaining soldiers must outthink the machine to survive—and that's only the beginning of the nightmare.
The film's cast is stacked with familiar faces, including Dennis Quaid (The Substance), Jai Courtney (Dutton Ranch), Esai Morales (Ozark), Keiynan Lonsdale (The Flash), and Jack Patten (Robin Hood). Their performances, combined with Hughes' tight direction, have made War Machine a hit across multiple Netflix demographics.
'War Machine 2' Is Officially in Development
After months of speculation, Netflix has confirmed that a sequel is in the works. While plot details remain under wraps, the first film's final moments teased a much larger threat: the machine the trainees encountered was just one unit in a full-scale invasion. Hughes told ScreenRant that he's already been brainstorming the next chapter, so fans won't have to worry about writer's block delaying production.
For those who haven't seen it yet, War Machine is streaming now on Netflix. And if you're looking for more edge-of-your-seat viewing, check out our Weekend Watchlist: 3 Must-See Netflix Movies for June 12-14 for other top picks. Meanwhile, the streaming landscape continues to evolve—Netflix's The Boroughs recently hit 117 million views, though a second season remains unconfirmed, as we covered in Netflix's 'The Boroughs' Hits 117M Views, But Season 2 Still Unconfirmed.
With War Machine now in the elite top 10 and a sequel on the horizon, Alan Ritchson's sci-fi saga is proving that sometimes the biggest hits come from the most unexpected places. Stay tuned for more updates as the film continues its climb up the charts.
