Gerard Butler’s “Real” & “Violent” R-Rated Action Cult-Classic Lands New Free Streaming Home

by

Gerard Butler, known for action blockbusters like Olympus Has Fallen, 300, and Den of Thieves, also has a number of lesser-known but strong films under his belt. One of these, the 2011 movie Machine Gun Preacher, directed by Marc Forster (known for World War Z and Quantum of Solace), is finally getting a chance to shine on streaming. Despite a disappointing theatrical run, this powerful film, featuring a talented supporting cast, is considered one of Butler’s most compelling performances.

Get ready for some free action! Gerard Butler’s intense film, Machine Gun Preacher, will be available to stream on Tubi starting December 1st. It’s one of several exciting action movies joining the platform that month, alongside titles like The November Man, Road House, Hardcore Henry, and another Butler film, Gods of Egypt. While it may not be the most profound movie ever made, Machine Gun Preacher stands out as one of Butler’s more emotionally powerful roles. He plays Sam Childers, an ex-biker with a criminal past who finds redemption through faith. When Childers travels to Africa to build a church, he encounters the brutal reality of child soldiers and decides to fight back using the methods he knows best.

Sam Childers, once a tough biker, travels to East Africa intending to rebuild homes damaged by war. Witnessing the terrible conditions, he decides to build an orphanage, even though aid workers warn him it’s too dangerous. The area is controlled by a violent group, but Sam is determined to save children, so he begins rescuing them directly from enemy territory, leading armed missions to bring them to safety.

Starring Gerard Butler, Machine Gun Preacher also features Michelle Monaghan, Michael Shannon, and Kathy Baker. While the film has gained a dedicated fanbase over time, it wasn’t a success when it was first released in 2011 and was considered one of Butler’s biggest box office disappointments.

‘Machine Gun Preacher’ Completely Flopped in Theaters


Relativity Media

I’ve become such a fan of Gerard Butler, especially now that he’s known for his action roles, it’s shocking to think one of his movies could completely flop. They haven’t always been hits with critics, sure, but back in 2011, even general audiences didn’t seem interested in his intense, faith-driven role in Machine Gun Preacher. It only made around $3 million worldwide on a $30 million budget – a real disappointment!

The movie Machine Gun Preacher didn’t do well in theaters, partly because critics didn’t love it – it only has a 28% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audiences have been much more positive over time, giving it a 62% rating. Recent viewers have praised the film as “Real, humane, genuine. Best I’ve seen in a while,” and others have noted its surprising level of violence.

Read More

2025-11-30 18:32