Alan Ritchson’s Netflix Sci-Fi Thriller Hit Won’t Get Theater Release For Sequel

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Alan Ritchson’s sci-fi movie, War Machine, must battle a disappointing release update.

Netflix’s new action movie stars Jack Ritchson as a ranger in training. During a routine exercise, he and his team are suddenly attacked by a mysterious enemy, turning the training into a desperate fight for their lives. The film has been a hit, viewed by over 125 million people, and discussions about a possible sequel are underway, though neither Netflix nor Lionsgate has officially approved it yet.

In a recent interview with Business Insider, Adam Fogelson, chairman of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, discussed the performance of War Machine and the possibility of a follow-up film. He stated he doesn’t regret releasing the movie directly to Netflix. While a sequel hasn’t been officially announced, Fogelson confirmed that if one is made, Netflix would likely be its home, dismissing the possibility of a theatrical release.

After the film came out in March, Erin Westerman, head of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, explained why War Machine didn’t play in theaters, despite its big budget and action sequences. She said they originally planned a theatrical release, but when they talked to international buyers, the streaming market was booming. This led to discussions with Todd Lieberman and Ritchson, and they all agreed that streaming was the best path forward, ultimately choosing Netflix.

Despite the changing landscape, she insisted the studio remained committed to releasing films in theaters. She believes this focus is a key reason for the consistently high quality of their movies and the strong relationships they have with filmmakers, explaining that everyone works together to create the best possible film and find the right audience for it.

The decision to release War Machine directly on streaming proved successful, with the film attracting 39.3 million views in its first week on Netflix. It quickly rose to become the most-watched movie for two weeks and appeared in the top 10 lists of 93 countries. While it had a limited theatrical run in Australia for five weeks, it only earned a little over $57,000 despite costing $80 million to make. This limited release was specifically to qualify the film for a tax rebate in the country where it was filmed.

As a movie fan, I think the success of this film really boils down to how much people like the lead actor, Ritchson, and the good word-of-mouth from critics after War Machine. Even though the plot itself wasn’t groundbreaking, the action was so exciting and Ritchson is just so charismatic, it kept everyone hooked. That translated into pretty solid scores – 69% from critics and 65% from the audience on Rotten Tomatoes, which is a great sign!

Despite narrowly missing Netflix’s top 10, the movie War Machine is generating buzz for a possible sequel. In an interview with Liam Crowley from ScreenRant, actor Ritchson suggested they have a wealth of unused ideas and that a follow-up film would be impressive, stating they “have a whole thing” planned. He even jokingly hinted at a much larger story, implying multiple sequels – “eight sequels,” – could explore the character’s origins when asked about his backstory.

During a discussion about a possible War Machine 2, director Patrick Hughes revealed that the film has a complete, self-contained story. He added that if he ever had the chance to make a sequel, he already has a clear plan and has even outlined the potential plot.

The film War Machine concludes in a way that suggests a sequel is likely. After discovering the robots’ weakness, Ritchson’s character is appointed Ranger and will lead a team against them. The movie leaves some mysteries unanswered, notably the protagonist’s actual name – he’s only known as candidate number 81. However, it seems likely the studios will collaborate again for another War Machine film, and Ritchson is expected to return.

The cast of the Netflix film War Machine includes Joe Manganiello (credited as Ritchson), Dennis Quaid, Stephan James, Jai Courtney, Esai Morales, Keiynan Lonsdale, and Daniel Webber. David Hughes co-wrote the screenplay with James Beaufort.

War Machine is now playing on Netflix.

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2026-04-25 15:08