9 Netflix Original Movies We Totally Forgot Existed

As a film enthusiast who’s been around the block a few times, I must say that these movies are a perfect example of the trials and tribulations that the world of cinema can sometimes present. Each one seems to have had a promising concept or talented cast, but something went awry in the execution.

From “The Adam Project” to “Bright,” it’s clear that the streaming platform has been experimenting with big-budget movies, and while some have certainly found their audience, others have fallen flat. It’s a bit like trying to make the perfect soufflé – sometimes you get it just right, but other times, it collapses before your very eyes!

And let’s not forget about “The Gray Man,” which, despite its hefty budget and star-studded cast, managed to slip through the cracks of our collective memory like a well-disguised secret agent. It’s almost as if these movies were designed by a Hollywood spy who specialized in making films vanish without a trace!

But hey, that’s the beauty of cinema, isn’t it? Not every film can be a masterpiece, and not everyone will love the same movie. As long as there are stories to tell and creators willing to take risks, we’ll keep watching – and laughing – at the ones that don’t quite stick the landing!

In recent times, the criticism towards Netflix‘s original films has grown more intense. A recent report claims that Netflix executives enforce strict creative guidelines for these movies, such as including dialogue that provides explanations or lessons, which might be aimed at viewers who aren’t fully engaged with the movie. This alleged trend in Netflix originals suggests that the company may not value these productions very highly, as they seem to be designed to be watched while multitasking rather than appreciated for their individual qualities.

It’s a somewhat disappointing strategy when it comes to filmmaking that, thus far, hasn’t produced many lasting pop culture sensations. Week after week, Netflix churns out new original movies, but aside from occasional hits like “Okja” or “Bird Box,” most of these productions have swiftly disappeared from the streaming platform after their initial release. These nine virtually forgotten Netflix originals, each boasting high production costs and big-name actors, serve as a stark reminder of how quickly Netflix’s films can fade into oblivion, leaving little cultural impact behind. Take a look at these nine films and consider the substantial amount of money Netflix has spent on productions with minimal lasting influence.

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle

In December 2018, Netflix acquired and streamed the movie “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle,” which was initially released by Warner Bros. Pictures under Andy Serkis’ direction. This film featured motion-capture animation and well-known actors like Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale, and Benedict Cumberbatch. However, “Mowgli” failed to make a significant impact in popular culture due to a number of reasons. Firstly, by the time it was released, audiences had already seen one VFX-heavy adaptation of “The Jungle Book,” with a live-action Mowgli from Disney’s 2016 blockbuster. Consequently, another project with more unsettling animation felt unnecessary and repetitive. Secondly, while the production aimed to showcase grandeur, confining it to streaming platforms was perplexing, given its intended scale.

The King

These days, whenever Timothee Chalamet takes a breath, the internet goes into a frenzy. Yet, his 2019 film “The King,” an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry V, seems to have disappeared even from dedicated Chalamet fan sites. It’s surprising given that this film was packed with spectacle and boasted an impressive cast including Lily-Rose Depp and Robert Pattinson. However, the film encountered a few hurdles – it received mixed reviews (often a deal-breaker for award-season contenders) and its historical epic format didn’t resonate well on streaming platforms, which are more about mobile-friendly “content.” Additionally, Chalamet was also in the 2019 Best Picture Oscar nominee “Little Women,” which may have overshadowed this expensive David Michod directorial endeavor.

6 Underground

Michael Bay’s films are often associated with several things: explosions, distinctive color schemes, and fast-paced editing. However, what doesn’t come to mind is relaxing on your couch while watching these movies. These films, whether praised or criticized, were designed for IMAX screens and the most powerful speakers available. In December 2019, Bay’s film 6 Underground was released on Netflix. Without the constraints of a darkened theater, viewers chose not to watch this new original Bay production. Five years since its release, 6 Underground has largely faded from public memory. In fact, former Netflix film chief Scott Stuber later admitted that the film missed the mark.

The Prom

Ryan Murphy’s 2020 musical “The Prom” aimed to offer a heartwarming tale about embracing queer identity. Regrettably, the film seemed more focused on showcasing established, heterosexual Broadway actors and an irritating portrayal of middle-aged gay men by James Corden, rather than developing its teenage lesbian characters. Even the inclusion of future Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose failed to rescue “The Prom”. Shunned by the LGBTQIA+ audience it intended to captivate, “The Prom” ended up gathering dust on Netflix accounts across the globe in December 2020.

The School for Good and Evil

Occasionally, Netflix original movies can feel like a round of Mad Libs gone awry in the movie studio world, and “The School for Good and Evil” is a prime example. Released in 2022, this adaptation of Soman Chainani’s novels presents a school where heroes and villains from fairy tales are educated to embrace their virtuous and sinister aspects. Aiming to create Netflix’s version of “Harry Potter” or “The Hunger Games,” the film version of “The School for Good and Evil” failed to cultivate a passionate fanbase, despite boasting Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, and Michelle Yeoh among its faculty members.

Heart of Stone

In a departure from the norm, “Heart of Stone” wasn’t merely another Netflix action movie that emphasized female power while neglecting to involve women in key creative roles such as directors, cinematographers, or composers. Interestingly, this film also marked Gal Gadot’s return to Netflix following her lead role in “Red Notice,” which was released in 2021. The staggering production cost of $150 million indicates that the budget wasn’t allocated for unremarkable sets or action-packed scenes. Upon release, the film faced immediate criticism due to its lack of a unique identity. By year-end 2023, it found itself on numerous “worst of the year” lists and has since vanished from popular culture conversation without leaving a trace.

The Adam Project

“The Adam Project” is one of the Netflix original movies that didn’t receive as much attention as expected upon its release on streaming. Director Shawn Levy, when speaking to Variety, mentioned that while making the film was creatively fulfilling, its limited impact made him believe that traditional theater releases might be better for movies. Despite having Ryan Reynolds, a strong cast, an Amblin-esque atmosphere, and excessive digital de-aging, “The Adam Project” struggled to overcome the challenges of debuting an original movie on a streaming platform first.

Bright

In another possible scenario, the film “Bright” would have been one of the defining movies of the 2010s. Given that it was Netflix’s first significant blockbuster they acquired for production, surpassing other studios such as Warner Bros., “Bright” might have marked the dawn of a new epoch in box-office cinema. However, what actually happened was that “Bright” became a source of embarrassment, remembered (if it’s remembered at all) in the 2020s for its awkward lines like “fairy lives don’t matter today.” Instead of paving the way for Netflix as a major player in blockbuster movie creation, “Bright” demonstrated that even big-name stars and large budgets couldn’t transform streaming content into beloved films.

The Gray Man

Upon its debut, the Netflix original film “The Gray Man,” with an estimated budget of over $200 million, was one of the priciest in their history. Adapted from a series of novels by Mark Greaney, the character of CIA agent Courtland Gentry portrayed by Ryan Gosling was intended to be the cornerstone for multiple movies and spin-offs. Unfortunately, “The Gray Man” received harsh criticism for its hasty production and underutilization of its two main stars, Chris Evans as the antagonist following his successful Marvel stint. The film also failed to gain notoriety despite being linked to the 2023 release of “Barbie,” where its primary villain briefly referred to Gosling’s character as a “Ken doll.” This seems to encapsulate the general public’s forgetfulness towards “The Gray Man”!

2024-12-30 07:11