One of the most underrated action comedies of the past decade or so resurfaced on Paramount+ in 2025 and became a streaming hit. The film stars the surprisingly funny duo of Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, who aren’t typically known for their comedic roles (though Gosling was hilarious in Barbie).

Crowe and Gosling have been great separately in some of the most notable movies in recent memory and have Academy Award nominations to their names. Together, with a tremendous screenplay and supporting cast, they delivered a film that is heartwarming, engaging, action-packed, and most importantly, funny. The movie was a box office flop but found some new life on streaming.

The Nice Guys Was A Streaming Hit In 2025

The Film Deserved To Be A Bigger Hit

Earlier this year, The Nice Guys trended in the top 10 most streamed movies for a time on Paramount+. The film was initially released in 2016 and indeed flopped on a commercial level. Made on a budget of $50 million, The Nice Guys only grossed a bit over $60 million, which ended up making it a failure (via Box Office Mojo).

However, the movie was a hit with critics and for good reason. It sits at an impressive 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and was nominated for accolades at the Saturn and Critics’ Choice Award shows. Despite the initial failure, The Nice Guys has become a bigger hit over time.

The fantastic chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe is the kind of thing that gets better with each viewing. The film has become an unexpected cult classic and it’s because of its availability on streaming services. Whether it was on Netflix in the past or Paramount+ now, The Nice Guys is perfect for streaming platforms.

Why You Should Watch The Nice Guys

It’s One Of The Best Buddy Films Ever

As noted, The Nice Guys was a critical success thanks to the chemistry between Gosling and Crowe but that’s far from the only reason you should check it out. For starters, the film is directed (and co-written) by Shane Black, who is most known for directing Iron Man 3 and writing Lethal Weapon

Even with Black’s impressive resume, The Nice Guys is kind of him at his very best, as the aspects that worked in his other projects are all prevalent here. It expertly blends the main story, which has action and mystery, with the comedic elements that tie everything together so well.

On its own, the script is sharp and witty, but then Gosling and Crowe come together to bring the physical comedy. You can see how bits of this movie helped shape Gosling’s comedic stylings that earned him an Oscar nomination for Barbie several years later.

The Nice Guys also boasts an outstanding supporting cast beyond Crowe and Gosling. Angourie Rice nearly steals the show as Gosling’s character’s daughter, while there’s an early look at Margaret Qualley. Throw in Matt Bomer, Kim Basinger, and Keith David, and there’s a lot to love about the film.