Two decades ago, video game adaptations were the punchline of Hollywood. From Doom to Mortal Kombat, these films were universally derided, and studios couldn't figure out how to turn gaming gold into box-office glory. Fast-forward to today, and the landscape has shifted dramatically—thanks to hits like The Last of Us and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. But before this renaissance, there was a dark period in the mid-2010s when big-budget flops like Warcraft and Assassin's Creed (18% on Rotten Tomatoes) made things even worse. Yet one film from 2007, a Hitman adaptation starring Timothy Olyphant, managed to barely break even—and now it's enjoying a surprising second life on streaming.
Directed by Xavier Gens (who recently helmed the Netflix hit Under Paris), the 2007 Hitman movie was a critical disaster, earning a dismal 16% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus called it a mess of "excessive violence, incoherent plot, and inane dialogue." But one voice stood out: the legendary Roger Ebert. In his review, Ebert wrote that the film "stands right on the threshold between video games and art," a rare defense that has become a talking point for fans of the franchise. The movie grossed $101 million worldwide against a $24 million budget, narrowly avoiding the fate of other game adaptations like Max Payne.
Now, nearly two decades later, the Hitman movie is climbing the charts on Starz, according to FlixPatrol. It's a reminder that even the most maligned adaptations can find an audience—especially when streaming platforms give them a second chance. The film's resurgence also highlights how far the genre has come, from the days of Doom to the critically acclaimed From Pixels to Paintings: 5 Games That Prove Video Games Are High Art. For fans of the Hitman franchise, this streaming success might signal that another reboot is on the horizon—especially since the 2015 reboot Hitman: Agent 47 failed to ignite the box office.
The film's cast includes Olga Kurylenko and Dougray Scott, and while it never got a direct sequel, the property remains popular. With the gaming world buzzing about new Hitman titles, don't be surprised if Hollywood takes another shot. In the meantime, you can catch the original on Starz and see if Ebert was onto something. For more on the evolution of game adaptations, check out Top 10 Video Games Based on TV Shows, Ranked: From South Park to TMNT.
As streaming continues to revive forgotten films, the Hitman movie stands as a testament to the power of a single positive review—and the enduring appeal of a bald, barcoded assassin. Whether you're a longtime fan or a curious newcomer, this is one adaptation worth revisiting.
