Mark Wahlberg likely didn’t anticipate that his 2016 action thriller, Patriots Day, would captivate a new audience after its lukewarm box office performance. However, a delightful surprise came when the film rocketed to the top of streaming charts several years later. This surge isn’t rare in today’s digital era, where films and series frequently find newfound success long after their initial releases.
Wahlberg’s Patriots Day experienced this revival during the Fourth of July weekend in 2020, as its themes of heroism and resilience resonated deeply with audiences. Directed by Peter Berg, the film was another collaboration between Berg and Wahlberg, who previously joined forces on acclaimed projects like Deepwater Horizon and Lone Survivor.
The movie offers a fictionalized account based on the tragic 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, detailing the intense investigation to apprehend the perpetrators. Critics positively received Patriots Day, highlighting the film’s “intense, jittery re-creation” of the sombre events. Despite this, it faced challenges at the box office, grossing only $52 million worldwide.
The movie wasn’t alone in its financial struggle; similarly, Stronger, a film starring Jake Gyllenhaal about a bombing survivor, also faltered at the box office, despite critical acclaim. Nonetheless, Patriots Day found its audience nearly four years post-release, drawing significant attention on streaming platforms.
By Independence Day in 2020, Patriots Day became the top-rated film on Netflix, surpassing its theatrical reach. Looper reported the film’s rise to Netflix’s Top 10, achieving a viewership far exceeding its original release numbers. Its touching narrative of American heroism naturally resonated amid the patriotic holiday, engaging a broad audience.
Although its resurgence highlights the impact of digital platforms, questions about its initial box office shortcomings persist. Some speculate that the recency of the Boston Marathon event at the time of release contributed to its underperformance.
Despite these early challenges, Mark Wahlberg’s Patriots Day ultimately claimed its place in cinematic discussions, propelled by a streaming revival that underscored its enduring appeal. Its availability on Netflix facilitated this resurgence, prompting renewed interest and paving the way for future audiences to appreciate its dramatic portrayal of heroism and resilience.
