Ryan Reynolds has a new crown to add to his collection. His latest film, the Cold War buddy comedy Mayday, has officially become the most-watched original movie in Apple TV's history during its first 18 days on the platform. The movie, which began streaming globally on September 4, pulled in a staggering 8.7 million views in its first week alone, according to analytics site Luminate, and has remained a fixture in the platform's top spots ever since.
This marks a major streaming milestone for Reynolds, who has spent the last few years dominating the box office as Marvel's Merc with a Mouth. After the record-shattering success of Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024—which briefly held the title of highest-grossing R-rated film of all time—Reynolds took a relatively quiet stretch. Mayday marks his triumphant return to the spotlight, and it's proving that his star power translates just as powerfully to streaming as it does to theaters.
What Makes Mayday a Standout Hit?
Directed and written by the duo Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, Mayday is a genre-bending action-comedy that flips the traditional spy thriller on its head. Reynolds stars as Lieutenant Troy "Assassin" Kelly, a hotshot U.S. Navy pilot sent on a top-secret mission into Soviet territory at the height of the Cold War. When the operation goes sideways, he finds himself stranded behind enemy lines—until he's discovered by Nikolai Ustinov, a gruff ex-KGB agent played by the legendary Kenneth Branagh.
What follows is an unlikely alliance that blends high-stakes action with odd-couple humor. The official synopsis teases a bond neither man saw coming, and critics largely embraced the film's fresh take on familiar tropes. Mayday currently holds an 83% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the best-reviewed films of Reynolds' career. Audiences were a bit more divided, giving it a 68% Popcornmeter score, with some feeling the humor didn't always land.
A Career Renaissance for Reynolds
Reynolds' journey to this point has been anything but ordinary. After years as a recognizable Hollywood star, he reinvented himself as Deadpool, a role he's now played three times. The first two films existed largely in their own corner of the Fox X-Men universe, but 2024's Deadpool & Wolverine finally paired him with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine for a buddy movie that shattered records. That film's success cemented Reynolds as one of the most bankable stars in the industry.
Now, with Mayday, he's proving he doesn't need a mask or a mutant healing factor to draw a crowd. The film's performance is especially impressive given Apple TV's growing reputation for prestige original programming. The platform has been on a roll lately, with hits like Hugh Jackman's Robin Hood reimagining finding new life on the service and Widow's Bay cementing its own legacy in the top 10.
What's Next for Reynolds and Apple TV?
With Mayday now holding the record for the biggest Apple TV original movie debut, all eyes are on what Reynolds does next. The actor has a packed slate of upcoming projects, and Apple TV will likely be eager to keep him in the fold. For now, fans can stream Mayday exclusively on Apple TV and catch Reynolds in his most acclaimed action role since donning the red suit.
Whether you're here for the Cold War intrigue, the odd-couple chemistry between Reynolds and Branagh, or simply the chance to see a Hollywood heavyweight at the top of his game, Mayday is clearly resonating with audiences around the world. And with numbers like these, it's safe to say Apple TV has found its biggest movie star moment yet.
