Why ‘Rebel Ridge’ Outshined Eddie Murphy’s ‘Axel F’ with 30 Million More Views!

Traditionally, home-produced films on streaming platforms have been criticized as inferior to theater releases by prominent Hollywood directors. However, the landscape has evolved significantly. Some of these very filmmakers are now experimenting with streaming, creating both movies and series. Interestingly, recent data from Netflix suggests that not only do streaming originals attract a large audience, but lesser-known cast productions can even surpass established intellectual properties. This trend is evident in the upcoming 2024 action hit compared to the Eddie Murphy sequel .

In the second half of 2024, Netflix shared an astonishing fact: the popular series Rebel Ridge, starring rising talent who will soon be seen in the movie Lanterns, had a remarkable impact on their platform. Although Taron Egerton’s action thriller Carry-On took third place on Netflix’s all-time most-watched list with 169.2 million views at the end of the year, Rebel Ridge had been the talk of the town earlier, amassing a significant 129 million views – that’s over 30 million more than Eddie Murphy’s high-profile comeback as Axel Foley managed with 91.2 million.

When contrasting the two films, “Beverly Hills: Axel Foley” boasted a budget of approximately $150 million, stirred up feelings of nostalgia, marked a significant return for Murphy and several other original cast members within a well-established franchise, and still maintains its popularity despite the last installment being over three decades old. On the other hand, “Rebel Ridge” featured Aaron Pierre and Don Johnson and was produced at an estimated cost of $41 million. This relatively low-key production lacked any big intellectual property backing, minimal marketing efforts, and faced numerous challenges during production when Pierre replaced John Boyega who departed shortly after filming commenced. Given these disadvantages, it’s surprising that “Rebel Ridge” managed to be as successful as it was; such success is a testament to the influential impact of word-of-mouth within the realm of streaming services.

Aaron Pierre Was Catapulted to New Heights by ‘Rebel Ridge’

Aaron Pierre’s casting in Rebel Ridge came about not through intentional planning, but due to the unexpected circumstances surrounding John Boyega leaving the movie. To suggest he simply seized the opportunity and excelled at it would be an understatement. The film, which became one of Netflix’s most-watched titles for weeks on end, played a significant role in introducing Pierre to public consciousness right before he was announced as part of James Gunn’s DCU in the upcoming series, Lanterns.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I found myself slipping into the shoes of John Stewart, as I was fortunate enough to catch an unexpected sneak peek at Pierre, alongside the talented Kyle Chandler, who’s now bringing Hal Jordan to life on screen. This intriguing series is shrouded in mystery, with a “boots-on-the-ground” narrative that revolves around an alien conspiracy. The production for this show has just commenced, making Lanterns the latest addition to the DCU lineup to start filming. Pierre’s impressive performance in Rebel Ridge on Netflix wasn’t a mere stroke of luck; it was a well-timed moment of serendipity that has undeniably paved the way for his continued success and career growth.

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2025-03-01 03:02