Gene Hackman’s all-time great action thriller has become a streaming hit after his death. One of the finest actors of his generation and a key figure in the New Hollywood movement, Hackman was nominated for five Academy Awards over his illustrious career, including forBonnie and Clyde,I Never Sang for My Father, andMississippi Burning. He won two Oscars, first for his lead performance inThe French Connectionand second for his supporting role as a villainous sheriff inClint Eastwood’s Western,Unforgiven.
Hackman garnered further acclaim for his performances in Francis Ford Coppola’sThe Conversationand as Lex Luthor in threeSupermanmoviesfrom 1978 to 1987. He maintained a steady career over the following decades, starring in acclaimed films likeHoosiers,The Firm,Crimson Tide, andEnemy of the State. One of his most memorable performances was in Wes Anderson’s 2001 filmThe Royal Tenenbaums, which was also among his final roles, as he retired from acting afterWelcome to Mooseportin 2004. Late last month,Hackman passed away at the age of 95from Alzheimer’s and heart disease.
The French Connection Becomes A Streaming Hit
It Ranks 9th On Reelgood’s Chart
The French Connectionhas become a streaming hit following Gene Hackman’s death.Directed by the late William Friedkin, based on the nonfiction book of the same name,the 1971 neo-noir action thriller follows two NYPD detectivesin pursuit of a wealthy French heroin smuggler. Other than Hackman, the movie also stars Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco, Bill Hickman, Eddie Egan, and many more.
The French Connection: 8 Things That Still Hold Up Today
Thanks to its gritty tone and iconic action sequences, William Friedkin’s acclaimed crime thriller The French Connection is still a timeless gem.
Now, after Gene Hackman’s death, the all-time great action thriller has become a streaming hit on Prime Video. PerReelgood,The French Connectionwas the ninth most-watched movie on all streaming servicesfor the week of February 27 to March 5, ranking aboveNickel Boys. It ranked below other newer releases inThe Substance,Conclave,Nosferatu,Flow,The Gorge,Venom: The Last Dance,A Real Pain, andSeptember 5.
What The French Connection’s Streaming Success Means For The Movie
It Remains An All-Time Great Action Thriller
Gene Hackman’s passing has reignited interest inThe French Connection, reaffirming its status as one of the greatest action thrillers ever made. Its gritty realism, fast-paced storytelling, and razor-sharp script set it apart, bolstered by Hackman’s Oscar-winning performance as detective Popeye Doyle. It also features one of thegreatest car chases in film history, further cementing its legacy. Decades later,The French Connectionremains an essential and masterful piece of filmmaking for many reasons.
