Dwayne Johnson Movie Hercules Becomes a Streaming Hit on Netflix

Dwayne Johnson has come a long way from the days when his biggest selling point was simply being an enormous man who could beat the hell out of people. Early in his acting career, The Rock built his movie persona around hulking action roles in films like Walking Tall, Doom, and Faster, usually playing some variation of the intimidating guy you did not want to make angry.

These days, Johnson is just as likely to voice a talking animal, play a lovable dad, or star in a giant family-friendly adventure. From Moana to Jumanji and Red One, his movies lean into comedy, spectacle, and roles that let him play a giant goofball.

One movie from Johnson’s career sits in the middle. It features the massive action-star version of The Rock alongside lighter, crowd-pleasing energy. Years after its theatrical run, that box-office hit is getting a second life on streaming.

That movie is Hercules, Johnson’s 2014 action movie that cast him as the legendary demigod with a giant axe, a bigger beard, and plenty of opponents to punch. According to FlixPatrol, Hercules is currently No. 5 among movies on Netflix worldwide.

Hercules turned its roughly $100 million production budget into a worldwide theatrical haul of more than $240 million. Critics were less impressed, giving the movie just 58% on Rotten Tomatoes. More than a decade later, the movie is getting another chance on streaming.

What is Hercules about?

Hercules puts Johnson in the title role, but this version of the hero is focused on getting paid to fight. After completing a series of brutal labors, Hercules works as a wandering mercenary leading a group of warriors. When the king of Thrace hires them to train his army, Hercules confronts his own violent past and the growing legend surrounding him.

The movie also stars Ian McShane (John Wick, Deadwood) as Amphiaraus and Rufus Sewell (The Diplomat, A Knight’s Tale) as Autolycus. Rebecca Ferguson (Dune, Mission: Impossible) plays Ergenia, whose request for help brings the mercenary to Thrace.

Source: Polygon