Gerard Butler’s Law Abiding Citizen Finds Success on Streaming 16 Years Later

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You know, I’m really surprised to see “Olympus Has Fallen” doing so well on Netflix! It’s one of those Gerard Butler action movies that I always enjoyed, but I didn’t think it would become a streaming hit all these years after it came out in theaters. It’s seriously climbing the charts right now, which is awesome!

As of October 6, 2025, the movie *Law Abiding Citizen* is currently the 7th most popular film on Netflix in the United States, according to FlixPatrol. It’s quickly gaining traction, moving up three spots from yesterday when it debuted at number 10. Surprisingly, this 16-year-old film is performing better than newer releases like *Karate Kid: Legends* (at #8), *Sing-Along* (#9), and *The Martian* (#10). Starring Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx, the movie follows a man who decides to take the law into his own hands after the person who harmed his family isn’t punished.

The film follows a skilled ex-CIA engineer seeking revenge on Philadelphia’s legal system after his family was tragically murdered and their killers weren’t brought to justice. Jamie Foxx plays Nick Ryce, a Philadelphia prosecutor who later becomes the Acting District Attorney, and finds himself on the opposing side.

The film follows Butler as he seeks revenge not only on the man who killed his family, but also on everyone who allows the city’s corrupt justice system to thrive. He’s completely committed to his mission, willing to kill anyone who supports the system to avenge his wife and daughter, showing just how far he’ll go.

Although *Law Abiding Citizen* promised an exciting story of revenge and action, it received mostly negative reviews when it came out in 2009. On Rotten Tomatoes, only 26% of critics gave it a positive rating, and most agreed the movie was overly violent and didn’t make much sense. Some critics also criticized the acting and called the plot illogical.

Even though critics weren’t kind to *Law Abiding Citizen*, the movie proved popular with viewers – and that’s probably why it’s still talked about today. Over 250,000 people gave it a positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes (75%), and in 2009, it earned over $127 million globally on a $53 million production budget.

Butler’s Newest Disaster Movie Sets Its Release Date

While *Law Abiding Citizen* isn’t considered a standout film for Gerard Butler, he’s still appeared in several critically successful movies. He first gained widespread recognition for playing King Leonidas in Zack Snyder’s *300*, and later starred in the animated film *How to Train Your Dragon* (and a subsequent remake).

Gerard Butler is working on a follow-up to his 2020 film, which he also appeared in. The new movie, directed by Ric Roman Waugh (known for *Angel Has Fallen*), takes place five years after the original. It follows Butler’s character and his family as they leave their shelter in Greenland and search for a new place to live. Lionsgate is releasing the film on January 9, 2026.

Law Abiding Citizen is now streaming on Netflix.

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2025-10-06 21:46