Channing Tatum’s Epic Sci-Fi Action Franchise Returns as a PVOD Streaming Hit 17 Years Later

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I’ve noticed something really interesting – a lot of Channing Tatum fans, myself included, are revisiting his early work! It turns out The Rise of Cobra, the first movie in that franchise, is actually doing really well on demand, like, climbing the charts! It’s wild to think it’s been 17 years since it first came out in theaters.

As of May 9, 2026, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is currently ranked at #8 on the Apple TV Store charts, according to data from FlixPatrol. This is a significant jump in popularity, especially since the movie is currently on sale. Viewers can purchase a bundle including The Rise of Cobra and the other two G.I. Joe films for only $7.99. Released in 2009, The Rise of Cobra introduced audiences to Duke and Ripcord as they became part of the G.I. Joe team.

The First G.I. Joe Film Surges on PVOD Despite Negative Reviews

When The Rise of Cobra came out in 2009, it showed how dedicated G.I. Joe fans were, as the movie still made a lot of money despite being critically panned. Critics disliked the film’s excessive action and weak storyline, but it still earned over $300 million globally on a $175 million budget.

Okay, so even after all these years, The Rise of Cobra still isn’t winning over the critics – it’s sitting at just 33% on Rotten Tomatoes. They basically say it’s flawed, but I guess if you’re a long-time G.I. Joe fan, you might get a kick out of the nostalgia. But generally, they see it as a really over-the-top, cartoonish action movie with a silly story, shaky special effects, and performances that are just…okay.

While viewers haven’t completely disliked The Rise of Cobra, it hasn’t received overwhelmingly positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. With over 250,000 user ratings, the film has a 50% audience score. One fan noted that G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra is actually better than many critics suggest, despite its imperfections.

Many viewers weren’t thrilled with The Rise of Cobra, finding it initially enjoyable but ultimately flawed. One critic described the first part of the movie as a typical, fun summer blockbuster. However, they felt it went downhill when the villains became overly silly, the weapons became unrealistic, and the plot became too chaotic. While the movie attempted to regain focus in the final act, the critic had already lost interest and connection with the characters.

The Rise of Cobra’s Box Office Success Led to a Sequel

Even though some people didn’t love the first movie, The Rise of Cobra did well in theaters, so a second film was made in 2013. Channing Tatum returned, and the movie was directed by Jon M. Chu, who also directed Wicked. Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson also starred. This sequel was even more profitable, earning $375.7 million despite costing between $130 and $150 million to make.

Released in 2021, Snake Eyes aimed to tell the origin story of the popular G.I. Joe character and relaunch the film series, starring Henry Golding. Unfortunately, the movie wasn’t successful financially, earning just $40 million despite costing between $88 and $110 million to make.

For a limited time, you can get a bundle of G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Retaliation, and Snake Eyes on the Apple TV Store for just $7.99.

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2026-05-10 17:06