Vanessa Hudgens may be forever linked to her breakout role in High School Musical, but her career has been a more nuanced journey. She made her feature film debut in the gritty indie Thirteen (2003) before gaining widespread fame as Gabriella Montez in Disney’s High School Musical trilogy (2006–2008). This launched her into the mainstream, cementing her as a pop culture icon of the 2000s.

Beyond her Disney roots, Hudgens has steadily expanded her filmography. She has appeared in films like Bandslam (2009), Beastly, Zack Snyder’s Sucker Punch (both 2011), and the early A24 movie Spring Breakers (2012), showcasing her range and bold choices. Her later work includes Second Act (2018), Bad Boys for Life (2020), and the Netflix musical Tick, Tick… Boom! (2021).

Recently, Hudgens has become known for Netflix Christmas movies, starring in The Princess Switch (2018) and its sequels, subтιтled Switched Again (2020) and Romancing the Star (2021). She’s also starred in The Knight Before Christmas (2019). However, it’s an underrated gem from 2012 starring Vanessa Hudgens that is now a hit on Netflix.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Is A Hit On Netflix

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is now a hit on Netflix. A sequel to 2008’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, and in turn based on Jules Verne’s 1875 novel, the 2012 film follows 17-year-old Sean Anderson, nephew of Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser), who receives a distress signal from his long-lost grandfather (Michael Caine) and embarks on a rescue mission to a mysterious island.

Sean is joined by his no-nonsense stepfather (Dwayne Johnson) and a quirky helicopter crew. Luis Guzmán plays the proprietor of the helicopter tour in Palau, while Vanessa Hudgens plays his daughter. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island‘s cast also includes Kristin Davis and Branscombe Richmond. It was directed by Brad Peyton, known for directing Dwayne Johnson vehicles, also including San Andreas (2015) and Rampage (2018).

Now, 13 years after its release, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island ranks fifth on Netflix’s Top 10 movies in the United States for today, August 8. It ranks below KPop Demon Hunters, Happy Gilmore 2, Freelance, My Oxford Year, and above The 5th Wave, H๏τel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, Megamind, Despicable Me 2, and Radio.

Our Take On Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’s Netflix Success

Despite its sudden Netflix resurgence, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island remains a mixed bag. For younger audiences, its bright visuals, slapstick humor, and nonstop adventure might feel like cinematic treasure. But for most adults, its paper-thin plot, goofy tone, and uninspired dialogue render it cartoonishly dull. It’s a harmless romp, just one best enjoyed by younger and less discerning explorers.