Following the conclusion of the Prime Video series The Boys, viewers are migrating toward Karl Urban's earlier work. Specifically, the 2010 film RED has seen a significant resurgence in popularity on streaming platforms.
RED outpaces Furious 7 on Peacock's streaming charts
According to the report, the sci-fi action film RED has climbed into the top 10 most-streamed movies on Peacock in the United States. this surge is particularly notable as the film is currently outperforming major blockbusters like Furious 7 and Men in Black II. While many streaming hits rely on recent releases, RED is leveraging its established reputation to capture a new wave of viewers.
The film's financial history provides a backdrop for its current popularity. When it first premiered at Fantastic Fest in 2010, RED eventually secured a global box office haul of $196 million. This was achieved against a production budget of approximately $60 million, marking it as a successful mid-budget action project that has maintained its relevance over a decade later.
The end of Billy Butcher's era on Prime Video
The sudden interest in RED coincides directly with the conclusion of the fourth season of The Boys. as the Prime Video superhero series comes to a close, the characters that defined the show—including Billy Butcher, played by Karl Urban, Hughie Campbell, played by Jack Quaid, and Homelander, played by Antony Starr—have completed their latest arc.
As the source reports, the finale provided an emotional landing for these central characters, but it also left a significant void in the watchlists of dedicated superhero genre fans. This vacum has inadvertently created a "halo effect" for Karl Urban's previous work. Instead of searching for a new series, viewers are opting to revisit the actor's filmography, specifically seeking out the high-octane energy found in RED.
A decade of cult appeal for Karl Urban's action-comedy
The resurgence of RED highlights the enduring strength of Karl Urban's cult following. The film has long been celebrated for its unique blend of action and humor, a combination that resonates with the same audience that enjoyed the darker, satirical tone of The Boys.
This trend suggests that character-driven action is a reliable anchor for streaming services. Even as massive productions like The Boys end, the individual star power of actors like Urban can sustain engagement across different platforms and formats. The transition from a high-budget TV series to a decade-old cinematic release demonstrates how streaming algorithms can bridge the gap between different eras of an actor's career.
Will this streaming spike lead to a RED revival?
While the data shows a clear upward trend for RED on Peacock,several questions remain regarding the longevity of this surge. It is currently unclear whether this is a temporary spike driven solely by the conclusion of The Boys or if the film is entering a new phase of sustained popularity.
Furthermore, the report does not specify if Peacock is actively marketing the film to The Boys audience or if the growth is entirely organic. We also lack information on whether this trend will extend to other Karl Urban projects or if other cast members from The Boys, such as Jack Quaid or Antony Starr, will see similar spikes in their respective filmographies.
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