20 Years On, Michael Bay’s Underrated Sci-Fi Gem Finds New Success On Streaming

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It’s proving once again that streaming services can revive older, overlooked films. Currently, a sci-fi movie directed by Michael Bay, which didn’t perform well in theaters originally, is gaining popularity on Netflix’s top 10 list. Bay hasn’t focused much on action films lately – he hasn’t released one in three years, and only two since his last Transformers movie in 2017. While his 2019 Netflix film, 6 Underground, wasn’t well-received by critics, and his 2022 theatrical release Ambulance was his only other action film since then, both are now trending on Netflix. What’s particularly noteworthy is that a sci-fi film from 20 years ago, still considered underrated, is also gaining traction on the platform.

Michael Bay currently has two movies performing well on Netflix, landing at number eight and nine on the most-watched list, according to Flix Patrol. Ambulance is eighth, while his sci-fi film The Island from 20 years ago is ninth. The Island received mixed reviews – critics gave it a 39% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences seemed to enjoy it more, giving it a 63% score. It first appeared in the Netflix top 10 on November 25th and has consistently ranked between seventh and ninth place since then.

One reason The Island is currently popular is likely because viewers who finish watching Ambulance on Netflix are being recommended it. The Island features Ewan McGregor as Lincoln Six Echo and Scarlett Johansson as Jordan Two Delta. The story takes place in a world where people are told the outside environment is uninhabitable. The characters eventually discover they are clones created for the purpose of illegally harvesting their organs.

The Island Proves That Streaming Can Help Older Movies Get Second Lives

Michael Bay has been making fewer action movies lately, largely because his recent films haven’t performed well in theaters. Even a movie he made for Netflix received negative reviews, so he returned to traditional releases with Ambulance, his lowest-budget film in years. Unfortunately, even that didn’t succeed. Since then, Bay directed a documentary called We Are Storror focusing on a parkour team.

Netflix is giving a second look to the action thriller Ambulance, and viewers are realizing it’s a well-made film. The director was able to focus on a more personal style because the movie had a smaller budget. While it didn’t perform well in theaters, its 87% audience score proves people actually enjoyed it. Now, viewers have another chance to show their appreciation with the film The Island.

Following the success of Bad Boys II, Michael Bay directed The Island before beginning work on the Transformers films. He aimed to create a thought-provoking science fiction movie – his first since Armageddon – blending ambitious ideas with his signature large-scale action. Despite a significant $126 million budget, the film wasn’t profitable, leading Bay to focus on a more established franchise for his next project.

Some critics compare The Island unfavorably to films like Logan’s Run and THX-1138, but many viewers find it to be a more fast-paced take on similar themes. While the movie definitely features Michael Bay’s signature over-the-top action, it also explores thought-provoking ideas about cloning and the meaning of humanity. It might not reach the level of Blade Runner, but The Island is an enjoyable sci-fi action film and deserves its renewed popularity with this Netflix revival, giving a new audience a chance to discover it.

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2025-12-01 00:10