Ben Stiller’s romantic comedy The Heartbreak Kid has stunned audiences by reaching the global Netflix charts 18 years after its original release, marking a remarkable resurgence for the film. The movie, which was first released in 2007 and earned over $128 million at the box office, shot up to number seven on Netflix’s Global Top 10 movies during the week of April 28 to May 4. Collecting 2.7 million views and 5.3 million viewing hours worldwide, this sudden streaming success has reignited interest in Ben Stiller’s comedic legacy and the enduring appeal of his work.
Starring Ben Stiller in the lead role, The Heartbreak Kid draws viewers into the story of a man who, after a whirlwind romance and hasty marriage, discovers his true feelings for another woman during a honeymoon in Mexico. The romantic comedy was co-written and directed by the Farrelly brothers and features a supporting cast including Michelle Monaghan, Malin Åkerman, Jerry Stiller, Rob Corddry, Carlos Mencia, Scott Wilson, and Danny McBride. The film itself is a remake of the 1972 movie of the same name.
Ben Stiller’s career has been defined by his consistent comedic presence in both television and film, beginning in the 1990s with The Ben Stiller Show. He later appeared in acclaimed television series such as Friends, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development, and Extras, for which he earned an Emmy nomination. Over the years, Stiller has headlined numerous successful studio comedies like There’s Something About Mary, Along Came Polly, Zoolander, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, and Tropic Thunder, making his name synonymous with Hollywood comedy.
Although Ben Stiller shifted his creative focus back to television in recent years, directing shows such as Severance, many of the comedies he starred in during the 2000s continue to resonate with viewers. This ongoing popularity is evident in the recent surge of The Heartbreak Kid on Netflix’s global platform. The film now sits just below titles like Havoc and The Equalizer 2 in the charts, but ahead of animated hits such as Despicable Me 4 and The Boss Baby.
Despite its newfound popularity, The Heartbreak Kid is not available to stream on Netflix in the United States, though it can be found on MGM+. The resurgence can be seen as part of a wider trend of unexpected hits on the platform, as recent weeks have also seen older, lesser-known films making surprise entries into the top rankings—sometimes defying their original critical or audience reception.
The Heartbreak Kid received mixed to negative reviews upon its release, holding scores of 29% and 37% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics and audiences noted that it lacked the distinctive boldness and humor associated with previous Farrelly brothers’ comedies. Still, its box office performance demonstrated strong public interest, and Ben Stiller’s star power appears to be contributing to the film’s renewed attention on streaming services.
The impact of The Heartbreak Kid’s Netflix success may encourage further exploration of Ben Stiller’s filmography by new and returning fans. The unexpected resurgence highlights ongoing viewer interest in classic comedies and indicates that streaming platforms can revive films long after their theatrical runs. As Ben Stiller’s work continues to find new audiences online, industry observers will be watching to see what older films might be rediscovered next.
