Hugh Jackman's R-rated Action Thriller Soars to No. 1 on Streaming

After playing Hollywood's live-action Wolverine for 24 years, Hugh Jackman has become a reliable box-office draw. His most recent run as hot-headed mutant James "Logan" Howlett — 2024's Deadpool & Wolverine — grossed more than $1.3 billion worldwide. While Jackman is heavily identified with his longtime X-Men role, he's had hits beyond superhero cinema: The Prestige, The Greatest Showman, and this year's The Sheep Detectives.

Jackman is also capable of big bombs, including this summer's R-rated action-thriller that gave the actor another chance to tap into his Old Man Logan side: The Death of Robin Hood. While the A24 release was an unqualified box office disaster, Jackman's latest has quickly become a hit on streaming.

The Death of Robin Hood is now officially streaming on HBO Max as of Oct. 16. After a few days on the streaming service, the gritty reimagining of Robin Hood has quickly locked down the No. 1 spot on the movie streaming charts in the U.S.

What is The Death of Robin Hood about?

Written and directed by Michael Sarnoski (Pig, A Quiet Place: Day One), The Death of Robin Hood takes the iconic English hero in a very different direction. Sarnoski's take on the folk hero isn't the gallant, lighthearted outlaw we've typically seen on the big screen in films like 1991's Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and 2010's Robin Hood, which starred Kevin Costner and Russell Crowe, respectively, in the titular role. Jackman's Robin Hood is a gritty, violent, and sometimes cynical take on the character. The film's poster even proclaims Robin Hood is "no hero."

Here's A24's official synopsis of The Death of Robin Hood:

Grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder, Robin Hood finds himself gravely injured after a battle he thought would be his last. In the hands of a mysterious woman, he is offered a chance at salvation.

The Death of Robin Hood features a supporting cast that includes Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård, Noah Jupe, and Murray Bartlett.

The Death of Robin Hood failed spectacularly at the box office

While The Death of Robin Hood had the hallmarks of a hit, thanks to Jackman and A24's involvement, the 123-minute action-thriller whiffed at the box office when it premiered in June. The movie earned just shy of $9.9 million against a reported $20 million budget during its theatrical run.

Critics and audiences were divided on the film, which carries a 69% Rotten Tomatoes score and a much lower audience score. Despite mixed reception, audiences are showing up for The Death of Robin Hood on HBO Max.

Hopefully, writer-director Michael Sarnoski's next film for A24 will land better. He's currently helming the live-action adaptation of Kojima Productions' Death Stranding, which is expected to start shooting in 2027 in Iceland and Northern Ireland.