Mark Wahlberg's 2012 crime thriller Contraband is experiencing a streaming resurgence on Netflix this September, 14 years after its initial release. The film, directed by Baltasar Kormákur, has found a new audience on the platform, climbing the charts and reminding viewers of Wahlberg's earlier action-hero days.
The movie follows a former smuggler who is forced back into the criminal underworld to pull off one last job: bringing counterfeit money into the U.S. from Panama. With a star-studded cast including Kate Beckinsale, J.K. Simmons, Ben Foster, Giovanni Ribisi, Caleb Landry Jones, Diego Luna, and Lukas Haas, Contraband boasts the kind of ensemble that would be at home in a modern streaming blockbuster.
Wahlberg's career has evolved significantly since then. In recent years, he has headlined multiple streaming originals for Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, and Paramount+, reportedly earning at least $20 million per project. His latest theatrical release, By Any Means, opened to a modest $8 million, continuing a box office slump that contrasts sharply with his streaming success. For more on that, check out our analysis of his box office struggles.
Back in 2012, however, Wahlberg was a bankable action star, and Contraband was a prime example. Produced on a $25 million budget, the film grossed $96 million worldwide, just shy of the $100 million mark. It received mixed reviews, earning a 50% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics noting it was "more entertaining than your average January action thriller" but lacked originality.
Now, Contraband is finding a new audience on Netflix. According to FlixPatrol, it's among the most-watched movies on the domestic chart, trailing only The Whisper Man. This resurgence is part of a broader trend of older thrillers finding new life on streaming platforms. For instance, Denzel Washington's The Little Things and Jon Bernthal's 2021 western have also seen recent spikes in viewership.
Interestingly, Wahlberg and Kormákur are set to reunite for a Netflix movie titled The Big Fix, slated for release next year. This collaboration could capitalize on the renewed interest in their earlier work together.
As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, it's clear that audiences are hungry for the kind of gritty, star-driven thrillers that defined the early 2010s. Contraband may not have been a critical darling, but its enduring popularity proves that sometimes a solid action flick with a great cast is exactly what viewers want to binge on a lazy weekend.
For those who haven't seen it, Contraband is now streaming on Netflix, offering a nostalgic trip back to Wahlberg's action prime. And if you're in the mood for more edge-of-your-seat entertainment, check out our list of thrillers you can finish in a weekend.
