Ryan Reynolds' R.I.P.D. Finds New Life as Streaming Hit Despite 13% Rating

Ryan Reynolds has established himself as a leading figure in modern cinema, acclaimed for his sharp comedic timing and his prominence in superhero films. Though his global box office total exceeds $6.5 billion, his career began with modest television appearances, first rising to attention with starring roles in Hillside (1991-1993) and Two Guys and a Girl (1998-2001).

Transitioning into film, Ryan Reynolds headlined several romantic comedies that cemented his popularity, including National Lampoon’s Van Wilder (2002), Waiting… (2005), and The Proposal (2009). Not every venture was met with critical or commercial acclaim; his turns in superhero entries like Blade: Trinity (2004) and Green Lantern (2011) fell short, underscoring the uneven path that often accompanies rising stardom.

Reynolds’ defining breakthrough came with the Deadpool franchise, beginning in 2016. Deadpool and Deadpool 2 (2018) became cultural phenomena, while Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) delivered his highest-grossing success to date. Beyond superheroes, he’s starred in 6 Underground (2019), Free Guy (2021), and The Adam Project (2022). However, it’s Reynolds’ biggest box office bomb that has become a streaming hit.

R.I.P.D. Is A Streaming Hit

R.I.P.D. has become a streaming hit. Directed by Robert Schwentke, based on the 1999 comic book by Peter M. Lenkov, the 2013 supernatural action comedy stars Ryan Reynolds as a former Boston police detective who, in the afterlife, is recruited by the head of a unit made up of deceased officers to battle rebellious spirits.

In addition to Reynolds in the lead role, the cast also includes Oscar winner Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart), Emmy winner Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds), Kevin Bacon, Stéphanie Szostak, Marisa Miller, James Hong, Devin Ratray, Robert Knepper, Mike O’Malley, Larry Joe Campbell, Piper Mackenzie Harris, Toby Huss, and Mike Judge.

Now, 12 years after its release, R.I.P.D. ranks fourth on Peacock’s Top 10 movies in the United States for today, August 19. It ranks below Madagascar, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Bring It On, and above Mean Girls (2024), Kung Fu Panda 2, Trolls, Kung Fu Panda 3, Cowboys & Aliens, and Clueless.

Our Take On R.I.P.D.’s Streaming Success

R.I.P.D. is less a hidden gem and more a dusty relic that Ryan Reynolds would probably have preferred to remain buried deeper than the underworld it portrays. While Jeff Bridges chews the scenery, Reynolds looks like he’s counting down the days until Deadpool rescues his career.

Critics and audiences agreed it was a dud, and box office receipts sealed the deal. R.I.P.D. is cinematic purgatory, proving that even Ryan Reynolds can’t charm his way out of bad writing.