Netflix Finds New #1 Streaming Hit With Bruce Willis’ ‘Striking Distance’

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A 33-year-old action thriller has unexpectedly become a huge hit on Netflix. The film, originally released in 1993, cost only $30 million to make but earned over $60 million in theaters, even though most critics didn’t like it.

Bruce Willis stars as Thomas Hardy, a Pittsburgh detective who’s reassigned to the River Rescue Squad after falling out of favor with his coworkers. When a string of murder victims with ties to Hardy start appearing, he teams up with his new partner, Jo Christman (Sarah Jessica Parker), to track down the killer before they strike again.

I recently revisited Striking Distance, and it’s no surprise this 1993 action thriller is having a moment. It actually debuted at number one back then, knocking The Fugitive off the top spot after a six-week run! Now, it’s exploded on Netflix internationally. According to FlixPatrol, it’s currently the most popular movie globally, even surpassing the new release Humint to claim that number one position. It really holds up, and it’s great to see it finding a new audience!

Critics Were Not Kind to ‘Striking Distance’

Among Bruce Willis’s films, Striking Distance isn’t usually one of the first that comes to mind. It’s often overlooked compared to his more famous movies like Die Hard, Armageddon, The Sixth Sense, and The Fifth Element – and that might be a good thing. While it’s a quick-moving thriller directed by Rowdy Herrington, who also directed Patrick Swayze’s Road House, Striking Distance didn’t receive much praise from critics.

The movie Striking Distance received very negative reviews. Critic Peter Canavese described it as bland and unremarkable, comparing it to a generic breakfast cereal. Scott Weinberg labeled it a forgettable and predictable action film, and David Nusair of Reel Film Reviews agreed with this assessment.

Ultimately, ‘Striking Distance’ is a letdown, which is particularly frustrating because the first part of the movie showed so much promise. While the director created a visually appealing style and Bruce Willis delivered a good performance, they couldn’t save the film from a tired and predictable plot.

Let’s talk about Striking Distance. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but I think it connected with audiences more than some of Willis’ other ’90s action flicks. It currently sits at 35% on Rotten Tomatoes’ audience score, which isn’t terrible. Some folks even admit to enjoying it as a guilty pleasure, though a few have gone as far as to call it his worst – clearly they haven’t seen Deadlock! Honestly, your enjoyment will probably depend on your own taste. If you’re curious, it’s currently available to stream on Netflix in most countries, and Pluto TV if you’re in the US.

What to Watch After ‘Striking Distance’

If you don’t enjoy Striking Distance, there are many other 90s action thrillers to choose from. If you’re a Bruce Willis fan, The Last Boy Scout is a good option, and Color of Night could also appeal to you, though it’s more focused on erotic suspense.

Okay, so while Bruce Willis is always great, if you enjoyed Striking Distance and are looking for similar thrills, let me give you a few recommendations. David Fincher’s Seven is a must-see, and you can’t go wrong with Denzel Washington in The Bone Collector – he consistently delivers. Plus, if you haven’t seen it recently, Harrison Ford’s The Fugitive is currently streaming for free on Tubi, and it still holds up incredibly well.

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2026-04-09 15:33