Alan Ritchson's New Sci-Fi Thriller Tops Netflix in 2026

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Alan Ritchson's new sci-fi thriller War Machine has officially become the most-watched Netflix movie of 2026, dethroning the previous record holder, The Rip. The film, which follows a group of Army Ranger recruits who encounter an extraterrestrial threat in the mountains, has enjoyed unprecedented streaming dominance since its debut two weeks ago. Ritchson, who has found major success with the Prime Video series Reacher, is also set to return for the show's fourth season later this year, which he promises will be the best yet.

Why it matters

Ritchson's rising star power and the success of War Machine on Netflix underscores the continued appetite for high-quality sci-fi and action content on streaming platforms. The film's performance also highlights Netflix's ability to produce breakout hits that can compete with major theatrical releases.

The details

War Machine follows a group of Army Ranger recruits who get caught in the mountains during their final mission, only to discover that the thing hunting them didn't originate on Earth. The film, directed by Patrick Hughes, has enjoyed a record-breaking debut on Netflix, surpassing the previous most-watched title of 2026, the Miami-set crime thriller The Rip, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

• War Machine began streaming on Netflix two weeks ago.
• Reacher Season 4 is set to be released before the end of 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Talks of a War Machine sequel have also been heating up since the film premiered on Netflix, with Ritchson and director Patrick Hughes confirming that they have a sense of where the story could go.