Dwayne Johnson's Surprising Turnaround: From Worst-Rated to Global Netflix Sensation
Dwayne Johnson, renowned for his blockbuster action films, proves his global appeal once again as his previously low-rated movie from the late 2010s becomes an unexpected hit on Netflix
Dwayne Johnson's Skyscraper has found a new life on Netflix. Released in 2018, the movie features Johnson as Will Sawyer, a private security consultant and ex-Marine who must rescue his family from a burning Chinese skyscraper while also being framed for the disaster. Despite its global success, grossing $304.9 million worldwide on a budget of around $129 million, the film initially struggled at the domestic box office, earning only $68.4 million.
In the past week, Skyscraper has made its mark on Netflix's global chart, claiming the No. 9 spot on the platform's Top 10 worldwide. It follows closely behind new releases such as Netflix's The Out-Laws, Extraction 2, and Run Rabbit Run. Garnering 4.4 million viewers, Skyscraper has accumulated a total of 7.5 million viewing hours in just one week, securing its first appearance on the chart.
Could Skyscraper 2 Happen Anytime Soon?
Johnson's career has had its ups and downs in terms of critical reception, but Skyscraper was a significant setback. With a score of only 48 percent, it stands as the lowest-rated movie for the star on Rotten Tomatoes during the late 2010s. This comes after a series of successful films including Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Fighting with My Family, and Jumanji: The Next Level. It wasn't until 2021, with the release of Red Notice, that Johnson experienced another drop in Rotten Tomatoes score, reaching only 36 percent.
Despite the poor reception, there hasn't been any mention of a sequel for Skyscraper. However, Johnson's career has been marked by his involvement in franchises and sequels. Some of his upcoming projects include Fast X Part 2, a live-action remake of Moana, and even a sequel to Red Notice, which performed remarkably well on Netflix despite its low Rotten Tomatoes score.
It is uncertain whether Skyscraper will maintain its position in the Netflix Top 10 following its debut this week. However, if it manages to do so, it may generate enough audience interest to initiate discussions about a potential sequel. Johnson and his team have shown a tendency to acknowledge audience demand for additional installments in a franchise, so Skyscraper 2 could indeed become a possibility even long after it appeared unlikely.
