Tom Holland is having a moment. With Spider-Man: Brand New Day shattering box office records and crossing the billion-dollar mark in record time, the actor's earlier work is getting a fresh spotlight. Among the beneficiaries is his 2022 video game adaptation, Uncharted, which has suddenly resurfaced on Prime Video's most-watched list.
According to FlixPatrol, Uncharted has climbed back into the domestic Prime Video top 10 this week, a clear sign that Holland's current box office dominance is rubbing off on his back catalog. The film, which was a modest hit when it first hit theaters, is now finding a new audience on streaming.
A Rocky Road to the Big Screen
Getting Uncharted to theaters was no easy feat. The project spent years in development hell, with a revolving door of directors and actors attached at various points. At one stage, David O. Russell and Seth Gordon were both linked to direct, and Mark Wahlberg was initially considered for the lead role. Wahlberg eventually joined the cast, but as a different character—Victor "Sully" Sullivan, Nathan Drake's mentor.
Ruben Fleischer, who had previously directed the hugely successful Venom, ultimately took the helm. The film also starred Antonio Banderas and Sophia Ali, and it was designed as a franchise starter inspired by the beloved video game series.
Box Office Success, Mixed Reviews
When Uncharted finally arrived in February 2022, it performed solidly at the box office, grossing $407 million worldwide against a reported budget of $120 million. The film benefited from the post-Spider-Man: No Way Home buzz, which had reignited interest in Holland's other projects. However, critical reception was lukewarm, with the movie holding a 41% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the casting but felt the film was a pale imitation of the adventure classics it was modeled after.
Despite the mixed reviews, audiences seemed to enjoy the ride, and the film's ending teased a sequel that has yet to materialize. Four years later, a follow-up script is still in development, leaving fans wondering if Nathan Drake will ever return to the big screen.
The Spider-Man Effect
The recent surge in Uncharted's streaming popularity can be directly linked to the success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Holland's latest outing as the web-slinger has not only revived interest in his previous Spider-Man films but also in his other projects. This isn't the first time Holland's star power has given a boost to his earlier work—his Apple TV crime thriller also saw a spike in viewership earlier this year.
For fans of Holland, this is a chance to revisit his pre-Spider-Man roles and appreciate his range as an actor. And with Kevin Feige confirming Holland's future in the MCU, the actor's star is only set to rise further.
What's Next for Uncharted?
While a sequel to Uncharted remains unconfirmed, the film's renewed popularity on streaming could be a signal to Sony that there's still an audience for Nathan Drake's adventures. In the meantime, fans can enjoy the original on Prime Video, where it's currently rubbing shoulders with other streaming favorites like Spider-Noir and an overlooked revenge thriller that's quietly dominating the charts.
Whether or not we ever see a sequel, Uncharted's streaming resurgence is a testament to the enduring appeal of Tom Holland and the power of a blockbuster hit to shine a light on earlier work. Stay tuned for more updates on Holland's upcoming projects and the potential future of the Uncharted franchise.
