Chris Pine's 'Reacher' Alternative Becomes Streaming Hit

The Contractor, starring Pine and Ben Foster, has passed a major streaming milestone on Paramount+.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 7:20pm

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Chris Pine and Ben Foster's 2022 thriller The Contractor, which was released in theaters and on PVOD, has become a surprise streaming hit on Paramount+. The film, which served as a reunion for Pine and Foster after their work on Hell or High Water, has spent over 50 days on the domestic Paramount+ chart despite mixed reviews from critics.

Why it matters

The success of The Contractor on Paramount+ is notable, as it shows the continued demand for dad-friendly action thrillers in the streaming era, even for films that may not have performed strongly at the box office. The movie's performance also highlights the growing importance of home video and streaming in determining a film's long-term success.

The details

The Contractor, directed by Tarik Saleh, was released in 2022 and featured a cast that also included Gillian Jacobs, Eddie Marsan, and Kiefer Sutherland. While the film received mixed reviews from critics, it has found a strong audience on Paramount+, spending over 50 days on the domestic chart for the streaming service. This success comes despite the film's unremarkable run in theaters, and follows the massive viewership for Prime Video's Reacher series, which has also spawned a spin-off.

  • The Contractor was released in 2022.
  • The film has spent over 50 days on the domestic Paramount+ chart.

The players

Chris Pine

An American actor who starred in The Contractor.

Ben Foster

An American actor who co-starred with Pine in The Contractor, reuniting after their work on Hell or High Water.

Tarik Saleh

A Swedish filmmaker who directed The Contractor, and has previously directed episodes of shows like Westworld and Ray Donovan.

Paramount+

A streaming service that has become the home for The Contractor, where the film has spent over 50 days on the domestic chart.

Reacher

A Prime Video series that has become a massive streaming hit, cementing Alan Ritchson as a major streaming-era star.

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What’s next

The success of The Contractor on Paramount+ could lead to more streaming opportunities for Chris Pine and the film's other stars, as well as potential sequels or spin-offs.

The takeaway

The Contractor's strong performance on Paramount+ highlights the continued demand for dad-friendly action thrillers in the streaming era, even for films that may not have found major success at the box office. This success also underscores the growing importance of home video and streaming in determining a film's long-term impact.