Fourteen years after it first hit theaters, Dwayne Johnson's Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is making a surprising comeback on Netflix. The 2012 adventure, which grossed over $335 million worldwide, has suddenly resurfaced on the streaming service's international movie charts, proving that audiences still have an appetite for The Rock's family-friendly escapades.
This resurgence comes during what's been a busy July for Netflix, which has seen several older titles find new audiences. For fans looking for more to watch, check out our list of top Netflix movies to stream on July 27, 2026.
Directed by Brad Peyton, the sequel to 2008's Journey to the Center of the Earth saw Johnson take over the franchise from Brendan Fraser. He plays Hank Parsons, a new stepfather who reluctantly joins his adventurous stepson Sean (Josh Hutcherson) on a mission to find Sean's missing grandfather. The cast also includes Vanessa Hudgens, Michael Caine, Luis Guzmán, and Kristin Davis.
The plot follows the group as they decode a mysterious message and discover the legendary island described by Jules Verne. There, they encounter miniature elephants, giant insects, and enormous reptiles—all while racing against time as the island begins to sink into the ocean. It's classic, over-the-top family adventure, and it clearly still resonates with viewers.
Financially, the film was a major success. It earned approximately $335.3 million globally against a $79 million budget, with international audiences contributing over $231 million. It topped the overseas box office for three consecutive weekends. Critics were less impressed, giving it a 45% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 41 on Metacritic, calling it lightweight but fun. Audiences, however, awarded it an A– CinemaScore.
Johnson's career during this period was defined by such crowd-pleasing hits. After shifting his focus from dramatic roles to action-adventure, he became a reliable draw for all ages. Journey 2 is a prime example of that era, and its Netflix revival shows that the formula still works.
For those who missed it the first time—or want to revisit a piece of early-2010s blockbuster nostalgia—Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is currently streaming on Netflix in select territories. If you're looking for more hidden gems, don't miss our roundup of overlooked Netflix thrillers that are flawless from the first scene.
