52 years after its release, a classic but underseen Clint Eastwood Western – High Plains Drifter – has become a major hit on Netflix, entering the streaming platform’s global top 10 for the first time. This 1973 film was only the second to be directed by Eastwood, who also stars as its central protagonist.
A critical and commercial success when it was released, with 94% on the review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes, High Plains Drifter has been somewhat overlooked by retrospective ᴀssessments of Clint Eastwood Westerns. In fact, its novel take on the actor-director’s Western anti-hero archetype places it among the most important movies of Eastwood’s career. Now, a whole new generation of viewers is discovering this forgotten gem, sending it surging up the streaming charts.
Clint Eastwood’s High Plains Drifter Lands On Netflix’s Global Chart
The Movie Is Currently At Number 10 On The Chart
High Plains Drifter has entered Netflix’s global top 10 this week, challenging Netflix original movies such as Nonnas and Havoc, as well as Tim Burton’s 2024 theatrical sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, for supremacy among the streamer’s most-watched feature films. The classic Western’s popularity demonstrates the enduring appeal of Clint Eastwood both as an actor and director, and brings some much-deserved attention to a movie that often goes unnoticed in the shadow of Eastwood’s more-famous Dollars trilogy.
It’s entirely possible that the momentum gained by appearing in the top 10 movies of Netflix’s global chart pushes High Plains Drifter even higher up the streaming platform’s rankings. After all, with summer just around the corner in most of Netflix’s biggest markets, this Western set in Old California seems perfect for a lazy weekend afternoon out of the sun’s glare.
Our Take On High Plains Drifter’s Streaming Success
A New Generation Is Discovering One Of Eastwood’s Great Anti-Heroes
High Plains Drifter features Clint Eastwood playing one of his most terrifying Western heroes, simply known as “The Stranger”. An obvious nod to his Man with No Name from Sergio Leone’s Dollars trilogy, the character has much of the same allure as Eastwood’s most celebrated role, but far less recognition among recent generations.
For this reason, High Plains Drifter is the perfect Clint Eastwood movie to take off as a streaming hit. It’s previously unseen by a large demographic of viewers who already know the Dollars trilogy, and who think of it as the closest thing to Leone’s films with Eastwood that they haven’t already watched. Of course, there are substantial narrative and stylistic differences between High Plains Drifter and the Dollars movies, but it’s their similarities that provide the initial hook to draw audiences in.
