Death Wish has become a global streaming hit. Directed by Eli Roth, with a script written by Joe Carnahan as a remake of the 1974 film of the same name, the 2018 vigilante action thriller stars Bruce Willis as a veteran trauma surgeon who sets out to enact revenge against those who broke into his home and attacked his family.
With Bruce Willis in the lead role, the cast also includes Emmy nominee Vincent D’Onofrio (Homicide: Life on the Street), Oscar nominee Elisabeth Shue (Leaving Las Vegas), Breaking Bad‘s Dean Norris, Kimberly Elise, Beau Knapp, Stephanie Janusauskas, Emmy nominee Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones & The Six), Jack Kesy, Ronnie Gene Blevins, and Emmy nominee Len Cariou (Into the Storm).
Now, seven years after its release, Death Wish ranks seventh on Prime Video’s Top 10 movies in the world for today, September 16. It ranks below Ice Road: Vengeance, The Map That Leads to You, A Working Man, The Commuter, White Chicks, Heads of State, and above Trolls Band Together, Coolie, and As Good as ᴅᴇᴀᴅ.
Death Wish is also streaming for free on Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel.
What Death Wish’s Streaming Success Means For The Movie
Death Wish performed moderately well at the box office, making $55 million against its $30 million budget, but was held back by its bad timing, which led to Death Wish‘s bad reviews and resulted in its dismal 17% Rotten Tomatoes score. The movie was particularly criticized for its portrayal of gun violence in the context of recent mᴀss shootings in 2018.
Around that time, Death Wish was accused of promoting “right-wing” and “pro-gun” themes, allegations that its director, Eli Roth, vehemently denied. The context in which Death Wish is watched hasn’t changed that much in 2025, as mᴀss shootings are still a major part of daily life in the United States of America, coupled with the recent shooting of Charlie Kirk.
Our Take On Death Wish’s Streaming Success
Though Bruce Willis’ action movies are evergreen, audiences seem to be revisiting them more in recent years since the actor retired after being diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that affects part of the brain responsible for language and communication. In fact, his wife, Emma Heming, recently shared an update on his health, saying that “his brain is failing him.”
Given the recent news about Bruce Willis and his health, audiences are likely returning to his movies on streaming as a way to honor and celebrate his remarkable career. His legacy as an action icon resonates deeply, and though Death Wish might not be his best work, it reminds viewers of his enduring impact.
