Why Alan Ritchson’s New Action Movie War Machine Skipped A Theatrical Release After Strong 39.3M Views On Netflix

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The new sci-fi action thriller War Machine, starring Alan Ritchson of Reacher, is proving to be a big success for both Netflix and Lionsgate.

The movie has become incredibly popular, gaining 39.3 million views on streaming in just its first few days. This success makes you wonder how much it could have earned if it had been shown in theaters.

Lionsgate originally intended to release War Machine in theaters, but ultimately decided against it. Erin Westerman, President of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, recently explained the reason for the change of plans, according to The Wrap.

Westerman explained that they originally planned a theatrical release. However, when their sales team started talking to international buyers, the streaming market was booming. They discussed the possibility of selling to a streaming service with their producing partner, Todd Lieberman, and star, Alan Ritchson, and ultimately decided to partner with Netflix.

I recently spoke with Westerman about Lionsgate’s strategy, and it’s clear they prioritize creating films meant for the cinematic experience. He explained that building movies for theaters is the key to their consistently high quality, and it also fosters a strong relationship with filmmakers. Essentially, everyone involved is focused on making the absolute best version of the film and finding the perfect place for it to be seen – whether that’s in a cinema or elsewhere. It’s a collaborative approach that really seems to be working for them.

Because the movie War Machine was so popular on Netflix, there’s a lot of discussion about making another one. The director, Patrick Hughes, and the lead actor, Ritchson, both believe a sequel is likely.

In a recent interview with ScreenRant, War Machine director Hughes shared that he’s already developed ideas for a sequel. He explained that while the first film feels complete on its own, he has a clear vision for where the story of Ritchson’s character, the hardened drill sergeant 81, could go next, and has even outlined potential plot points.

Ritchson shared Hughes’ excitement about building a whole series around War Machine, calling the next installment, War Machine 2, “amazing” and playfully suggesting they could make up to eight sequels.

ScreenRant’s review of War Machine praises it as a physically impactful action movie that effectively blends science fiction visual effects while remaining focused on compelling characters.

While War Machine might have been more impactful as a theatrical release, both Netflix and Lionsgate are pleased with how it performed as a streaming-only film.

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2026-03-11 23:48