Ritchie's Adventure Epic Surges Back Up Apple TV Rankings
Eight months after its debut, Guy Ritchie's treasure-hunting adventure starring John Krasinski and Natalie Portman defies poor reviews to reclaim its spot near the top of Apple's streaming charts.
Guy Ritchie made his name crafting gritty British crime films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. But his pivot to big-budget adventures with Sherlock Holmes and Disney's Aladdin proved he could master different territory. His latest globe-spanning treasure hunt has become Apple TV's most watched comeback story.
Fountain of Youth pairs John Krasinski with Natalie Portman and Eiza Gonzalez in a quest for eternal life. The plot follows a treasure-hunting expert who recruits his estranged sister for the ultimate prize. Sound familiar? The movie borrows heavily from National Treasure and Indiana Jones playbooks.
Critics Weren't Impressed, Viewers Don't Care
Reviews were brutal. Rotten Tomatoes shows 35% from critics and 38% from audiences. Yet Apple TV subscribers keep hitting play. The film just climbed back to number two on the platform's charts, trailing only Brad Pitt's racing drama F1.
Apple TV operates differently than Netflix or Disney+. The service relies on original productions rather than stuffing libraries with older content. This means movies cycle in and out of the top 10 regularly. Tom Hanks' Greyhound, George Clooney's Wolfs, and even the widely panned Ghosted have all enjoyed multiple chart runs.
Familiar Formula Finds Success
Critics slam Fountain of Youth for recycling plot points from better movies. But that recycling might explain its appeal. The $180 mn production delivers spectacular action sequences and exotic locations. Ritchie knows how to stage elaborate set pieces.
Sometimes viewers want comfort food cinema. Adventure stories have entertained audiences for decades. The familiar beats of treasure hunting, exotic locations, and family drama create an easy viewing experience for streaming audiences.
Ritchie's Biggest Non-Franchise Hit
Eight months of chart presence suggests Fountain of Youth has earned back its massive budget. The film represents Ritchie's most successful standalone project outside established franchises. Apple TV's smaller content library means successful titles enjoy longer shelf lives than on competitor platforms.
The movie runs 126 minutes and features James Vanderbilt's screenplay. Krasinski plays Luke Purdue while Portman takes the role of Charlotte Purdue. Despite mixed reception, the film proves that well-executed adventure stories still draw audiences, even when the formula feels overly familiar.