One Of The Most Underrated Westerns Of All Time Is A Surprise Netflix Hit 30 Years Later

In an unexpected twist, a Western film from 1995, previously released, has soared into the ranks of the most popular movies globally on Netflix this week, finding itself among the top ten. Netflix’s viewership trends are known for their unpredictability, and this week is no exception. While anticipated sequels like “Squid Game” season 3, “The Sandman” season 2, “The Old Guard 2”, and “The Waterfront” naturally find themselves on these lists, the seventh-most-watched movie worldwide this week was an unexpected addition.

Originally released in cinemas in February 1995, directed by Sam Raimi and starring Sharon Stone, Russell Crowe, Gene Hackman, and a young Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Quick and the Dead” re-emerged as one of the top seven most-watched movies on Netflix worldwide on July 9, 2025. Interestingly, it was not available for streaming in the United States at that time. The cause behind the renewed popularity of “The Quick and the Dead” on Netflix remains unknown, but it’s exciting to see this underappreciated Sam Raimi Western revenge film receiving the recognition it deserves.

As a passionate cinephile immersed in the world of Westerns, I found myself captivated by the unconventional tale unfolding in the dusty town of Redemption – a place where The Quick and the Dead roam. In this story, I encounter a figure shrouded in mystery, going by the name of The Lady (played by Stone), who’s on a quest for vengeance against John Herod (Hackman).

Herod, once a notorious member of a gang and now the town’s ruthless overlord, is responsible for the death of her father – the town’s former Marshal. To exact her revenge, The Lady chooses to engage in an elimination-style shooting competition with other formidable gunslingers such as Cort (Crowe) and Herod’s own son, The Kid (DiCaprio).

These skilled marksmen become unwitting pawns in The Lady’s intricate scheme of retribution. Fans of Westerns that challenge the status quo will undoubtedly find themselves drawn to The Quick and the Dead, with its fresh take on the genre and engaging narrative.

Initially met with a divided reception upon its 1995 release, The Quick and the Dead has garnered increased admiration in subsequent years. Enthusiasts of Sam Raimi now rank it among his most impressive films, alongside classics such as the Spider-Man trilogy, the Evil Dead series, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, to name a few. The film’s groundbreaking female protagonist is seen as a significant step forward for cinema, as such roles were scarce during the ’90s. Additionally, the movie has been applauded for its innovative cinematography, with certain shots being unique and unprecedented at the time.

The unique qualities of “The Quick and the Dead” might have sparked global curiosity about this film. Over three decades after its debut, it has attained cult status, which is quite unexpected given its 60% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s intriguing to see how this Sam Raimi production has been doing so well. At present, “The Quick and the Dead” isn’t streaming on Netflix in the U.S., but it can be watched on Rakuten TV or Fandango instead.

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2025-07-09 19:41