James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie's 2008 Comic Book Hit on Netflix

The Unexpected Rise of "Wanted" on Netflix

It might not be Marvel or DC, but a comic book movie is currently making waves on Netflix's most-watched film charts. The movie in question is "Wanted," released by Universal Pictures in 2008. It’s a (very loose) adaptation of the Mark Millar and J.G. Jones comic book of the same name, originally published by Top Cow. Now, over 17 years later, it’s finding new life thanks to streaming platforms.

According to FlixPatrol, director Timur Bekmambetov's "Wanted" was trending in Netflix's top 10 charts throughout the previous week, consistently hovering between the seventh and ninth spots. While it may not have been able to compete with Adam Sandler's "Happy Gilmore 2," which held the number one position, it's still impressive for a film that's nearly two decades old. The movie featured James McAvoy in his lead role, alongside Angelina Jolie, who was at the peak of her stardom at the time.

"Wanted" follows Wesley (McAvoy), an unhappy and seemingly ordinary young man who meets a mysterious woman named Fox (Jolie). She introduces him to the Fraternity, a secret society of assassins led by the enigmatic Sloan (Morgan Freeman). As Wes uncovers more about his past, he learns that his long-lost father was killed while working for the Fraternity, and he is chosen to find the person responsible.

Audiences remember the film for its unique curved-bullet physics and dynamic shootout scenes. At the time, it was marketed as "The Matrix," but with assassins in the real world. This was also before McAvoy became a household name through his role as a younger Charles Xavier in 2011's "X-Men: First Class." For many, "Wanted" was his most high-profile blockbuster at the time. The film's cast, including Jolie and Freeman, likely contributed to its re-watchability.

In 2008, the landscape for comic book movies was different. "Iron Man" came out the same year and launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Streaming wasn't yet the dominant way to watch content, and box office success often meant a film would fade after its initial run. "Wanted" made $342 million at the box office against a $75 million budget—numbers that could start a cinematic universe today. However, despite discussions about a sequel, "Wanted 2" never materialized.

This makes "Wanted" a perfect candidate for a resurgence on Netflix. Time and again, films like "Wanted" frequently trend in the streamer's top 10, even when they weren’t initially seen as cultural phenomena. Scarlett Johansson's 2014 sci-fi flick "Lucy" recently found similar success. There are countless other examples, but it seems that older theatrical hits without enduring cultural impact continue to attract viewers years after their original releases.

Why does this happen? Perhaps people get tired of scrolling and seek something familiar. Or maybe it's because of the natural response to seeing a well-liked star and wanting to watch their movie in the background. It could also be that people actually love "Wanted" more than we realize. Ultimately, it's likely a combination of these factors that has led to "Wanted" and similar older titles gaining a new lease on life through Netflix.

If you're interested in watching "Wanted," it's available on 4K, Blu-ray, or DVD from Amazon. For those looking to stay updated on major movie and TV news, signing up for a free newsletter is a great option.