There is a continued trend of movies flopping at the box office but gaining a second life on streaming. This is indicative of the changing landscape and a certain uncertainty, with significant projects not always guaranteed to make the intended impact; not every movie can be a success like Deadpool & Wolverine. One of the most recent flops turned streaming favorites is The Man From U.N.C.L.E., starring Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer.

Guy Ritchie’s work has certainly found a home on Netflix, and it is not surprising that his action comedy has climbed the charts on the streaming platform. We will examine why The Man From U.N.C.L.E. failed at the box office and how the timing of its addition to Netflix has made it ideal for the streaming platform.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Plot and Cast

Based on the 1960s spy/comedy television series of the same name, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. follows the unlikely pairing of two operatives, CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer). The two come together under the organization U.N.C.L.E., short for “United Network Command for Law and Enforcement,” with the intent of stopping a mysterious criminal organization that aims to proliferate nuclear weapons. The two are joined by the niece of a Roman criminal, Gaby (Alicia Vikander).

“America teaming up with Russia. That doesn’t sound very friendly.” Gaby Teller (Alicia Vikander)

Warner Bros.

Henry Cavill played the role of CIA agent Napoleon Studio; Cavill, a fan favorite and nerdy dreamboat, is known for portraying characters like Superman and Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher series. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. would mark the first time Cavill worked with director Guy Ritchie but the two reunited in 2024’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Opposite Cavill was Armie Hammer, who was coming off of the box office disaster that was The Lone Ranger. The two were joined by Alicia Vikander, best known for her role in Ex Machina as Ava and Gerda in The Danish Girl.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is Guy Ritchie’s 8th feature film, coming off the success of Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. The movie is based on the TV series of the same name initially created for NBC by Sam Rolfe and Norman Felton.

Why The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Failed at the Box Office

Grossing approximately $110 million worldwide, $45.4 million domestically, and $64.4 million internationally, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. was considered a commercial failure despite earning above the film’s budget, between $75 million and $84 million. Considering the marketing and distribution costs, it was estimated that the movie lost around $80 million at the box office.

There were a few reasons for the failure at the box office, with the movie facing fierce competition with Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation in its second week and coinciding with the premiere of Straight Outta Compton. The film further suffered from poor marketing, as the campaign did not convey the movie’s unique blend of action and comedy. Released on August 14, 2015, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. grossed just over $13 million, falling below expectations and landing in 3rd spot in the theaters.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. was also met with a mixed reception from critics, barely fresh at 68% with 293 reviews. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian, who had praise for Guy Ritchie’s work on the Sherlock Holmes films, had these harsh words to say about the movie; “…the prospect of more UNCLE films like this makes me worry that the bad guys are releasing nerve-paralysis gas into cinemas inducing symptoms identical to fatal boredom.” The audience was a bit kinder to the movie, with the Guy Ritchie action-comedy currently sitting at 73%.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Climbing the Netflix Charts

Continuing a common trend of movies doing horrible at the box office but finding a second life when they go onto streaming, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. entered the Netflix top 10 movies. Given Netflix’s recent work with Guy Ritchie, which includes The Gentlemen, a Netflix Original series based on the movie of the same name, and the upcoming project Gracie, which, while details are scant, Ritchie is acting as an executive producer. With The Gentleman resonating with viewers, it makes sense that Netflix audiences would welcome The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

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The timing of the release also helps benefit from being removed from the allegations against Armie Hammer, as audiences seem not to be dissuaded by the career-ending allegations in favor of an enjoyable piece of escapism. Still, a movie should not be condemned because of the action of one of its many players, and many have praised the character dynamics between Armie Hammer and Henry Cavill, with Alicia Vikander’s supporting role also held in favorable regard.

While critics had a lukewarm reception to the movie, fans are always the ones who decide the popularity. Guy Ritchie has always been divisive among critics, with his top-rated project being 2023’s The Covenant, which landed at 83%. Still, Guy Ritchie’s blend of action and humor has garnered him a dedicated fanbase, with The Man From U.N.C.L.E. being praised for the director’s signature blend of action and comedy. Moreover, many fans of the original series felt that the movie paid homage to the original TV series it was based on. The Guy Ritchie action comedy getting a second life on Netflix is certainly welcome.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is now streaming on Netflix.