The Expendables 4may have bombed at the box office, but it’s thriving where it counts in 2025 — streaming. Despite a dismal 14% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics and a $150 million shortfall from its break-even point,Expend4bleshas become a surprise global hit on Starz, currently sitting at #7 on the streamer’s movie charts. It’s a curious twist of fate for a film thatJason Stathamhimself admits didn’t “feel right” to shoot — mainly due to the limited involvement offranchise patriarchSylvester Stallone,as Statham told Cinema Express.
“In this particular story, he is absent for reasons we don’t talk about. There is something about not having him around that doesn’t feel right. So, we are getting through… but the best days are when he is on set.”
Stallone’s Barney Ross, who anchored the first three entries, is barely inExpend4bles, and Statham — now the clear lead — knows exactly what’s missing.
“Sly isThe Expendables.Without him, I would not be sitting here today. He represents everything about this movie, and without his presence, without his creativity, without his backbone, we are nothing inThe Expendables.”
Ouch — but also, fair.Despite the film’s theatrical faceplant— just $37 million on a $100 million budget—the action flick has been living its best life in the streaming afterlife. After spending more than 200 days charting on Starz following its 2023 release,Expend4blesis back in the top 10 this week and enjoying a resurgence ahead of the 4th of July weekend. The movie stars Statham,Megan Fox,50 Cent, andAndy García, and was directed byScott Waugh(Need for Speed,Act of Valor). Waugh is the fourth director in the franchise’s rotating chair after Stallone (1),Simon West(2), andPatrick Hughes(3), the latter of whom launched theHitman’s Bodyguardseries not long after his stint with Sly and company.
What Else Is Jason Statham Up To?
Fans looking to binge more Statham chaos can findMeg 2: The Trenchstreaming on Max. The firstMegmovie is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video. A third film hasn’t been greenlit yet, but with nearly a billion dollars earned between the first two entries, don’t be shocked if we hear aMeg 3announcement in the not-so-distant future. For now,Expend4blesis defying expectations and proving that, in the age of streaming, a theatrical misfire is just one chapter of a much longer story.
Stay tuned to Collider for more coverage on Statham’s upcoming projects.
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