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Why Gerard Butler’s ‘Kandahar’ Is Dominating Netflix in 2025: Action Thriller Explained

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by

Lucy
in

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Key Takeaways

  • Gerard Butler’s action thriller Kandahar became a surprise hit on Netflix in 2025, reaching the #2 spot on the Top 10 U.S. movies.
  • The film, initially released in theaters in 2023, gained renewed popularity through streaming due to its gritty realism and authentic action scenes.
  • Its success demonstrates how streaming platforms can redefine a film’s trajectory long after its theatrical run.
  • Butler’s established fan base and the film’s grounded storytelling contributed significantly to its streaming popularity.
  • Upcoming projects like Greenland: Migration suggest continued collaboration between Gerard Butler and director Ric Roman Waugh.

Table of Contents

How Gerard Butler’s Kandahar Became a Surprise Hit on Netflix

What Is Kandahar About?

Why Did It Fly Under the Radar at Theaters?

The Netflix Phenomenon: Revival and Popularity

What’s Next for Gerard Butler?

Why Kandahar Matters

FAQ

Sources

How Gerard Butler’s Kandahar Became a Surprise Hit on Netflix

Gerard Butler is making headlines again with his 2023 action thriller Kandahar, which surged to the number two spot on Netflix’s Top 10 U.S. movies in August 2025—more than two years after its initial theatrical release[0]. This unexpected streaming success highlights both Butler’s enduring appeal and Netflix’s power to revive worthy but initially under-the-radar films.

What Is Kandahar About?

In Kandahar, Butler stars as Tom Harris, a covert CIA operative navigating a perilous mission in Afghanistan after his identity is compromised. Alongside his translator, he must evade special forces and reach an extraction point under constant threat[1]. The film blends intense action with gritty realism, emphasizing practical effects and on-location shooting that amplify its tension and authenticity[3].

Why Did It Fly Under the Radar at Theaters?

Upon its release in May 2023, Kandahar earned a modest $9.3 million globally and received mixed reviews, scoring 45% on Rotten Tomatoes, though audiences responded more favorably with an 82% audience score on Popcornmeter[0]. Unlike blockbuster hits, it didn’t dominate theaters but quietly built a reputation among action fans, much like many of Butler’s other films that tend to perform better on streaming platforms than at box office[2].

The Netflix Phenomenon: Revival and Popularity

Since arriving on Netflix on August 8, 2025, Kandahar quickly climbed to number two on the platform’s U.S. Top 10 movies, briefly dethroning other popular titles[2]. Its resurgence owes much to:

  • Gerard Butler’s established fan base craving his brand of relentless, gritty thrillers
  • The film’s grounded storytelling and authentic action scenes that resonate with streaming audiences seeking intense yet believable narratives[3]
  • Netflix’s expansive reach and ability to spotlight films overlooked in theaters

What’s Next for Gerard Butler?

Butler’s collaboration with director Ric Roman Waugh continues, with Greenland: Migration, a sequel to the 2020 disaster thriller, set for release in theaters on January 6, 2026[0]. Fans of Kandahar can expect more of Butler’s trademark blend of action and character-driven stories in upcoming projects.

Why Kandahar Matters

Kandahar exemplifies how streaming platforms can redefine a film’s success long after theatrical runs end. It showcases Gerard Butler’s resilience as an action star who thrives on intense, realistic roles. For viewers, it offers a gripping thriller that combines explosive action with emotional stakes in a tightly woven narrative.

For anyone looking for a high-octane, authentic action movie anchored by a strong lead performance, Kandahar is a must-watch—proving that in the streaming era, great stories find their audience eventually.

Stay tuned for more updates on Gerard Butler’s career and streaming hits.

FAQ

Why did Kandahar succeed on Netflix in 2025?

The film’s grounded storytelling, authentic action scenes, and Gerard Butler’s dedicated fan base contributed to its surge in popularity on streaming platforms, despite mixed theatrical reviews.

Will Kandahar return to theaters?

There are no current plans for a theatrical re-release. Its main success has come via streaming, emphasizing the platform’s role in redefining film longevity.

Sources