3 Years Later, $125M Horror Sequel That Ended an Era Becomes an Instant Hit on Netflix

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The movie Saw X is proving popular once again, this time with streaming viewers. After a successful run in theaters in 2023, it’s quickly become a hit on Netflix, just one day after being added to the platform.

As a movie critic, I’m keeping an eye on what’s trending, and Saw X just landed at number 5 on Netflix’s Top 10 in the US, according to FlixPatrol. It’s currently behind a few titles that have been holding strong – Gaslit by My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story, Nobody 2, War Machine, and The Bad Guardian. And if you’re a Saw fan, there’s even more to enjoy! Spiral: From the Book of Saw is also on the chart, chilling at number 10.

Saw X Resurrected Tobin Bell’s John Kramer

Saw X is the tenth movie in the Saw series. It continues the story directly after the first Saw film from 2004 and leads into the events of Saw II (2005). Tobin Bell reprises his role as John Kramer, and the movie follows his journey to Mexico where he seeks an experimental treatment for his cancer.

But John soon realizes the whole thing is a fraud targeting those who can least afford it. Driven by this discovery, he goes back to work and uses his unique, intense style to outsmart the criminals, setting clever and frightening traps for them.

Critics loved Saw X much more than other movies in the Saw series. It currently has an 81% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the highest-rated Saw film ever. For comparison, the original Saw from 2004 only scored 50% and is considered ‘rotten’.

Following the disappointing box office performance of Spiral—which earned only $40 million—Saw X revitalized the Saw franchise. It earned $125 million globally with a production budget of $13 million, making it the third most successful film in the series, surpassed only by the third, second, fourth, and seventh Saw movies.

Saw X Ended an Era for the Franchise

Following the success of Saw X, Lionsgate announced another Saw movie in December 2023. Kevin Greutert, who previously directed Saw VI, Saw: The Final Chapter, and Saw X, will return to direct the eleventh film. It’s currently scheduled to be released in September 2024.

The project faced numerous delays, and by March 2025, reports indicated the movie was no longer moving forward and had been canceled. In June of that year, Blumhouse Productions took over. This marked the end of Twisted Pictures’ long run as the producer of every film in the Saw franchise.

The new film also signals a revitalized direction for the Saw franchise, as co-creator James Wan will be creatively involved – a role he hasn’t had since Saw III. Wan expressed his excitement, stating, “Saw holds a special place in my heart… Returning to this world with a fresh perspective is both thrilling and deeply personal.”

The director explained that this project represents a major return to the Saw series after a long absence. They’re excited to recapture the feel of the original films while also taking the franchise in new and surprising directions.

The entire Saw franchise is currently streaming on Netflix.

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2026-03-20 21:06