Michael Fassbender’s critically panned video game movie has topped streaming charts ahead of the popular franchise’s upcoming new game release.Video game adaptations have grown more popular as the 2020s have progressed, with recent box office successes likeThe Super Mario Bros. MovieandSonic the Hedgehog 3reflecting their pop culture domination. Many highly-anticipated video game adaptations are now in development, including theupcomingSonic the Hedgehog 4,The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2, andA Minecraft Movie.
TV is no stranger to adaptations either, withThe Last of Usseason 2and aDevil May Cryanimated series both arriving in April. Streaming has become a popular location for stories inspired by video games. This includes Netflix’s critically acclaimedArcane, based on characters fromLeague of Legends, andCyberpunk: Edgerunners, an anime set in the same world asCyberpunk 2077. However,video game adaptations with positive critical reception are quite new, with films like 2020’sMonster Hunterand 2005’sDoomall being panned. However, that hasn’t stopped one of these movies from getting renewed life on streaming.
Fassbender’s Assassin’s Creed Movie Has Become A Top Streaming Hit
Its Success Comes 2 Weeks Before A New Game Gets Released
Now,Fassbender’s 2016 movie adaptation ofAssassin’s Creedhas become a streaming hit,just weeks before the series' next game arrives. The film sees its lead actor use technology to unlock his genetic memory, traveling back to the 15th century to relive his ancestor’s memories to fight against the Templar Order.Assassin’s Creedreviewswere mostly negative, the movie scoring a 19% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The game series is still going strong, though, with a new entry,Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set for release on Thursday, Aug 18, 2025.
This Michael Fassbender Action Movie Could Have Been The Start Of A Massive Franchise (If Only It Hadn’t Been A Disaster)
Assassin’s Creed could have kicked off a franchise with the rich storytelling that the games have honed over years, but the movie was a flop.
Now,FlixPatrolhas confirmedAssassin’s Creedis Number 1 on Max’s Top 10 movies for July 03, 2025. The video game adaptation dethronedThe Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, which now sits at Number 3, just below the adaptation and the Oscar-winning animated filmFlow. Other top movies Fassbender’s film has surpassed on the platform includeElevation, End of Watch, Morbius, Men in Black, Why Him?, White Chicks, and the lowest film on the Top 10,Men in Black II.
What Assassin’s Creed’s Streaming Success Says About The Movie
Its Popularity Coincides With The Franchise’s Return
Given thatAssassin’s Creed Shadowscomes outexactly two weeks from March 6, it’s perfect timing forFassbender’s adaptation to find renewed interest on streaming. The film’s bolstered success may come from both the franchise’s upcoming continuation and the number of successful video game movies that have come out in recent years. Even if theAssassin’s Creedfilm isn’t one of the better entries, it’s still drummed up plenty of interest, dethroning a 2024 film in the process.
Assassin’s Creedwas supposed to be the first movie in a series, which was ultimately scrapped after Disney bought 20th Century Fox in 2019.
Assassin’s Creed
Cast
Assassin’s Creed is a 2016 action-adventure film directed by Justin Kurzel. Starring Michael Fassbender as Callum Lynch, the film follows Lynch as he relives the memories of his ancestor, Aguilar, through revolutionary technology. Set within a secret society of Assassins protecting free will against a powerful Templar organization seeking control, the narrative weaves through historical and contemporary settings, illuminating ancient conflicts. The film also stars Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Irons.
