Will Ferrell's return to television comedy has turned into one of the biggest streaming success stories of 2026, even as critics remain divided. The Hawk, which dropped all ten half-hour episodes on Netflix on July 16, quickly climbed to the top of the platform's US Top 10, proving that audiences are hungry for Ferrell's signature brand of absurdity.
In its debut week, the show pulled in 4.8 million views and 24.7 million viewing hours globally, according to Netflix's own reporting. That was enough to land it at No. 3 among English-language series worldwide, while also grabbing the No. 1 spot in Australia, Canada, and Iceland, and a strong No. 2 in the UK, New Zealand, and Ireland. To date, it has amassed 1.5 billion minutes watched—a number that would make any golfer proud, even one as hapless as Lonnie Hawkins.
Critics vs. Audiences: A Tale of Two Scores
The critical reception has been far less enthusiastic. The Hawk holds a dismal Rotten Tomatoes score, with several outlets delivering unusually sharp pans. The Hollywood Reporter called it "the most shapeless and least comedically focused" sports project of Ferrell's career, while Variety went with "lackluster." RogerEbert.com noted a tone that swings wildly between slapstick, crude wordplay, and half-hearted emotional beats without ever committing to any of them. The recurring complaint is that Lonnie Hawkins feels like a Ricky Bobby rehash, and that the show relies too heavily on Ferrell's commitment rather than giving him sharp material.
But not everyone was disappointed. NPR praised its "satisfying silliness, amusing shenanigans and surprise cameos," and the Los Angeles Times appreciated its affectionate take on golf. At Collider, we gave it a 6/10, noting that The Hawk is chasing a harder joke than Talladega Nights ever did—Lonnie isn't an earnest idiot; he's someone who knows exactly what his obsession has cost him and keeps making the same choice anyway.
Why Audiences Are Flocking to 'The Hawk'
The sustained chart run suggests that viewers are simply enjoying Ferrell doing what he does best: full meltdown mode. Whether he's cooing at a golf ball, brawling with a bunker, or plowing his tour bus through the green, Ferrell's willingness to sacrifice his own dignity remains as watchable as ever in 2026.
The supporting cast is doing heavy lifting too, and that's likely a bigger factor in the show's popularity than reviews have acknowledged. Molly Shannon shines as Lonnie's estranged wife Stacy, a woman who turns every moment into a sales pitch, and her chemistry with Ferrell is electric—especially when their bitter loathing takes a surprisingly flirtatious turn. Jimmy Tatro plays Lonnie's cold-plunging, wellness-appropriating son Lance, providing the generational clash that drives some of the show's sharpest moments. Fortune Feimster brings heart as the DIY-mechanic caddie Lonnie hires from a Walmart parking lot, while Luke Wilson and Chris Parnell round out a bench that shares the comedic wealth.
The finale is a highlight, leaving viewers with plenty to debate: a single putt, a father-son standoff, a pickle jar, and one pointed question Lonnie refuses to answer. It's not prestige television, and it doesn't pretend to be. The Hawk is a well-cast, casually filthy, extremely bingeable comedy that lets Ferrell do what he's been doing brilliantly for 25 years.
Netflix hasn't confirmed a second season yet, but the numbers suggest the audience has already voted. Another season of Ferrell losing his mind on a manicured green would suit us all just fine. For more on streaming hits that defy critics, check out how Kevin Hart's '72 Hours' did the same, or see why 'Upgrade' became a sleeper hit on Netflix. And if you're looking for underrated gems, here are Netflix shows that deserve a second chance.
