Mark Wahlberg's 2007 action thriller Shooter has suddenly become one of Netflix's most-watched movies in April 2026, sparking fresh buzz that the sniper saga could be the perfect Reacher-style replacement for streaming audiences craving no-nonsense action. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, is enjoying a major resurgence nearly two decades after its original release.
According to FlixPatrol, Shooter has climbed the global Netflix charts this week, drawing in viewers who may be looking for a lean, muscular thriller to fill the void left by Reacher's recent seasons. The movie follows Wahlberg as Bob Lee Swagger, a former Marine sniper who is framed for an assassination and must go on the run to clear his name. It's a premise that blends the tactical precision of Hitman with the lone-wolf grit of Reacher.
Interestingly, Shooter's streaming surge is being linked to anticipation for Fuqua's upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, which stars Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop. While the two projects couldn't be more different in tone, Fuqua's name is drawing renewed attention to his earlier work. This phenomenon mirrors how Ryan Gosling's Drive saw a viewership spike after the success of Project Hail Mary, as noted in our coverage of Project Hail Mary's box office dominance.
Despite earning only $95 million worldwide against a $60 million budget during its theatrical run, Shooter has remained a home-video favorite for years. Its 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes stands in stark contrast to the 47% critics' rating, which dismissed it as a mindless action-thriller with plot holes. But for streaming audiences in 2026, that kind of straightforward, high-octane entertainment is exactly what's driving its success.
The film's enduring popularity even spawned a television spin-off of the same name, which ran for three seasons from 2016 to 2018 on USA Network, starring Ryan Phillippe. That series further cemented the Shooter universe as a reliable source of Reacher-like thrills. For fans looking for similar shows, our list of six modern thriller shows that pack a harder punch offers plenty of alternatives.
Fuqua, meanwhile, went on to direct all three Equalizer films starring Denzel Washington, with two more sequels in development. His upcoming Michael biopic is projected to gross $150 million worldwide on opening weekend, despite controversy over its portrayal of the singer's alleged crimes. But for now, it's Shooter that's capturing the streaming spotlight.
With Netflix's algorithm pushing Wahlberg's sniper thriller to new audiences, and the ongoing appetite for Reacher-style action, Shooter is proving that a movie doesn't need to be a critical darling to become a streaming smash. As April 2026 rolls on, expect this bullet-riddled comeback to keep climbing the charts.
