Netflix has a reputation for both championing bold new series and abruptly pulling the plug on fan favorites. The latest casualty is The Boroughs, a supernatural drama from creators Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, executive produced by the Duffer Brothers of Stranger Things fame. Despite a strong debut—5.6 million views in its first weekend and 9.5 million in its first week—the show saw a steep drop to 3.7 million views in week three, leading to its cancellation after just one season. This has left fans scrambling for a fix, and many have found solace in an unexpected place: a 25-year-old Western flop starring one of the show's actors, Alfred Molina.
That film is Texas Rangers, released in 2001 and featuring a star-studded cast including Molina, Ashton Kutcher, Dylan McDermott, and Usher. At the time, it was a critical and commercial disaster, earning a dismal 2% on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing only $600,000 against a $38 million budget. Critics called it a "dull, laughable cactus costume drama." But in June 2026, Texas Rangers has found a second life on Paramount+, where it has cracked the platform's top ten most-streamed movies.
The resurgence of Texas Rangers is part of a larger trend: Westerns are thriving on streaming, thanks largely to Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone universe. Sheridan's spin-off Dutton Ranch, starring Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly, has been a massive hit, and its finale is just weeks away. The genre's popularity has lifted even forgotten titles like Texas Rangers into the spotlight.
For fans of The Boroughs, this unexpected streaming hit offers a chance to see Molina in a very different role—and perhaps a reminder that even the biggest flops can find redemption. As Netflix continues to make controversial cancellation decisions, viewers are voting with their remotes, turning to other platforms for their entertainment fix. The cancellation of The Boroughs may sting, but it's also driving discovery of hidden gems.
Meanwhile, Paramount+ is capitalizing on the Western wave. With Texas Rangers riding high, the platform is proving that even a 25-year-old flop can become a streaming sensation. For those who missed it the first time—or want to see what all the fuss is about—now is the perfect moment to saddle up.
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