Why ‘Texas Rangers’ Is Suddenly a Must-Watch Streaming Hit After 24 Years of Obscurity!

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In my opinion, when a movie is described as “so bad it’s good,” it’s like walking a tightrope. For a film to earn this unique label, it often needs to fall short on all fronts – criticism, finance, creativity, and technical aspects, simultaneously. Yet, the way it does so leaves you puzzled, so much so that you can’t help but chuckle at the irony of how such a production, involving countless individuals and a substantial budget, could lead to something so unexpectedly amusing.

Occasionally, some movies deemed ‘bad’ can offer an unexpected charm or display a genuine human emotion that keeps viewers engaged, making them hard to ignore. Yet, there are times when these films just fall short. One example is the 2001 Western film Texas Rangers, directed by Steve Miner and starring Ashton Kutcher and James Van Der Beek. Despite its poor performance at the box office, Texas Rangers has recently gained attention on the streaming platform Paramount+. This resurgence in popularity might raise the question: why is Texas Rangers experiencing a revival?

What Is ‘Texas Rangers’ About?

The story unfolds approximately ten years after the American Civil War, with Texas Governor Leander McNelly (Dylan McDermott) forming a group of rangers to safeguard the U.S.-Mexico border. After losing his family at the hands of notorious gunslinger John King Fisher (Alfred Molina) and his outlaw gang, cowboy Lincoln Rogers Dennison (James Van Der Beek) finds himself adrift. It’s then that he encounters George Durham (Ashton Kutcher), another cowboy who has suffered a similar fate at the hands of the same criminal group. Seeking vengeance, these two new companions decide to join McNelly’s Texas Rangers in Brownsville, Texas.

In the aftermath of a valiant act, they managed to gain entry into the Rangers. Swiftly climbing the ladder of promotion, Lincoln found himself as McNelly’s secretary and trusted confidant. Throughout their western adventure, Fisher, Lincoln, and George encountered numerous trials, love, horses, and all the usual elements typical of a western story. Eventually, they confronted each other in a fort, reminiscent of the Alamo standoff. Who will ultimately be on the side of justice?

After showing great courage, these individuals became Rangers. Lincoln rapidly advanced in rank, becoming McNelly’s secretary and right-hand man. Their western adventure was filled with danger, love, horses, and all the typical elements you would find in a western story. Eventually, they faced off in a fort, much like the Alamo. In the end, who will be on the side of justice?

Everyone Is Watching ‘Texas Rangers’ Now

It’s intriguing to explore why certain films regain popularity years after their initial release, especially when they were never popular in the first place, such as “Texas Rangers.” Interestingly, this movie is now gaining attention on streaming platforms. Despite having a 2% critic score and a 29% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, it appears to have developed a dedicated fanbase at home. The significant gap between these scores suggests that the film has cultivated a cult following over time. Although the exact viewership numbers aren’t available, originally, the movie only earned about $750,000 against a budget of $38 million dollars. The ongoing conversation about the film online indicates that “Texas Rangers” didn’t slip completely into obscurity after its initial failure.

The success of the show “Texas Ranger” is undoubtedly thanks to its impressive cast lineup. Actors like Ashton Kutcher, James Van Der Beek, Dylan McDermott, and Alfred Molina are big draws on their own, but it doesn’t end there. To top it off, the show features R&B legend Usher Raymond in a supporting role as Randolph Douglas Scipio, and he delivers a solid performance. Usher has appeared in numerous films, including “She’s All That” (1999) with Rachel Leigh Cook, who also stars in “Texas Rangers.

But Maybe They Shouldn’t Watch the Western

Despite my previous statement that “Texas Rangers” isn’t a movie where bad quality makes it good, there is an exception: if you are deeply passionate about westerns. If your love for this genre knows no bounds, you might find “Texas Rangers” appealing because of its poor production quality as a western film. This could explain why the movie has garnered so much attention. As someone who barely appreciates the best western films (not referring to hotels), I found it hard to get through this movie due to its dull and confusing plot. Additionally, it lacks strong character motivations and seems to heavily rely on questionable historical contexts related to border politics and the Civil War.

In contemporary Western culture, it’s hard not to approach a movie dealing with these subjects casually, given its sensitive nature, without considering who made Texas Rangers. However, everyone has their own preferences, and it’s certainly possible for someone to find enjoyment in the questionable quality that Texas Rangers is widely acknowledged as having. Contrasting The Alamo, Texas Rangers seems like a piece of Texas history we might be better off not remembering.

Texas Rangers is now streaming on Paramount +.

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2025-05-26 04:33