Gerard Butler has built a career on gritty action roles, from the Spartan king in 300 to the relentless Mike Banning in the Has Fallen series. But his turn as Big Nick in the Den of Thieves franchise has carved out a special niche—a gruff, morally ambiguous sheriff's deputy who thrives in the gray areas of crime and justice. Now, the sequel Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is proving that streaming audiences have a huge appetite for Butler's brand of tough-guy thrills.
Released in early 2025, the film picks up with Big Nick traveling to Europe to track down Donnie Wilson (O'Shea Jackson Jr.), who has fallen in with the Panther mafia. While the sequel earned a stronger critical reception than its predecessor—62% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and 79% from audiences—it didn't match the original's box office haul, grossing $58.4 million worldwide against a $40 million budget. But as we've seen time and again, theatrical numbers don't tell the whole story.
Fast-forward to May 2026, and Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is making serious noise on HBO Max's global streaming charts. According to FlixPatrol, the film currently sits at #4 worldwide, rubbing shoulders with titles like Wuthering Heights starring Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie, Mortal Kombat, and The Emoji Movie. It's a testament to the power of streaming to breathe new life into a movie that might have been overlooked in theaters.
This streaming resurgence is part of a broader trend where action thrillers find second lives on platforms like HBO Max. For fans who missed it in theaters or want to revisit the high-octane heist, now is the perfect time to dive in. The original Den of Thieves (2018) was a cult hit despite mixed reviews, earning $80.5 million on a $30 million budget and developing a loyal following. The sequel, while less profitable, has expanded the franchise's world and deepened the cat-and-mouse dynamic between Butler and Jackson Jr.
Looking ahead, a third installment is already in the works. Writer-director Christian Gudegast is set to return, with Butler and Jackson Jr. reprising their roles. Jackson Jr. recently teased that production is expected to begin later this year, though a specific date hasn't been locked. He told Collider, “We gotta find a place for Donnie to go. I can't be in the States because of what happened in L.A. Now, I can't be in Europe. So, we're running out of spots... Stuff is wild.” The actor added that he's already begun preparation, joking, “As long as I look pretty, I'll be okay.”
For those craving more streaming hits, check out our coverage of Brad Pitt's 'World War Z' dominating Paramount+ as its sequel looms, or explore Taylor Sheridan's divisive Tom Clancy thriller 'Without Remorse' climbing Prime Video charts. And if you're in the mood for more hidden gems, don't miss our list of near-perfect horror thrillers that deserve a second look.
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is streaming now on HBO Max. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on the franchise and the biggest streaming hits of 2026.
