Jon Bernthal's gritty portrayal of Frank Castle is having a major moment. Nearly ten years after the Netflix series first aired, The Punisher has stormed into the top ten most-streamed shows on Disney+ in the U.S., proving that the vigilante's brutal brand of justice still captivates audiences.
The resurgence comes on the heels of Marvel's Special Presentation: The Punisher One Last Kill, which dropped on Disney+ on May 12. This standalone two-part crime thriller acts as a bridge between the Netflix series and Frank Castle's upcoming big-screen MCU appearance. The special has earned a "certified fresh" 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, drawing both fans and critics into the mind of the vigilante once more.
With One Last Kill dominating the Disney+ charts, subscribers have been revisiting the original Steve Lightfoot-created series, which originally ran for two seasons on Netflix. After the licensing agreement between Marvel and Netflix expired, the show migrated to Disney+, where it's now finding a new generation of viewers. At the time of writing, the series sits comfortably among the platform's most-watched titles.
Bernthal's summer is set to be even bigger. He's not only starring as King Menelaus in Christopher Nolan's epic The Odyssey, but he's also making his MCU feature film debut as Frank Castle in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, arriving July 31. The film boasts a star-studded cast including Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Michael Mando, and Sadie Sink in a mysterious role many believe to be Jean Grey.
For fans craving more edge-of-your-seat storytelling, check out our Weekend Binge Alert: How to Get Away with Murder Is the Mystery Thriller You Need. And if you're in the mood for another vigilante fix, Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man Roars Back on Disney+ as 'Doomsday' Buzz Builds is also making waves.
Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the skull emblem, now is the perfect time to dive into Bernthal's definitive take on the Punisher. The original Netflix series and the new special are both streaming on Disney+.
