Channing Tatum’s Forgotten Sports Action Movie Is a Streaming Hit
Channing Tatum’s 2009 sports action film has resurfaced on streaming years after its theatrical run. The film has climbed into Paramount+’s most-watched rankings, drawing renewed attention about two decades after its release.
Fighting becomes a streaming hit on Paramount+
Nearly 17 years after its theatrical debut, Channing Tatum’s 2009 action drama Fighting is seeing a notable rise on Paramount+. The film has climbed into the service’s Top 10 movies nationwide, landing at Number 5 on the chart, according to FlixPatrol. Data indicates that the film remained among the platform’s most-watched films between January 24 and January 29, highlighting renewed interest from subscribers.
Directed by Dito Montiel, the film premiered in U.S. cinemas on April 24, 2009. The story follows Shawn MacArthur, a struggling New Yorker who survives by selling counterfeit goods on the street. His circumstances shift when he crosses paths with Harvey Boarden, a con man who recognizes Shawn’s natural talent for combat and pulls him into the city’s underground fighting circuit.
Shawn begins competing against professional boxers, martial artists and mixed-martial-arts fighters. He money through the bouts and gives part of it to single mother Zulay Velez. However, his refusal to cheat causes tension in the circuit.
Tatum leads the cast as Shawn MacArthur, with Terrence Howard portraying Harvey Boarden in the film. Other cast members include Luis Guzmán as Martinez, Brian White as Evan Hailey, Flaco Navaja as Javon Wilkinson / Ray Ray, and Cung Le as Dragon Lee among others.
Upon release, Fighting drew a divided response from critics and audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds a 39 percent critics’ score from 130 reviews. Meanwhile, viewers have given it a 36 percent rating on the platform’s Popcornmeter. According to Box Office Mojo, the film earned about $32.4 million worldwide, with approximately $23 million from domestic theatres.
Source: Comingsoon.net