16 Years Later, Gerard Butler’s Critically Panned Heist Thriller Finds Redemption on Streaming

Gerard Butler released two successful movies in 2024, but before he heads into what is expected to be a big 2025, one of his older movies has become a massive streaming sensation. Butler stars alongside Jamie Foxx in Law Abiding Citizen, the 2009 heist thriller following a frustrated man who decides to take matters into his own hands when one of his family’s killers goes free. Law Abiding Citizen is, unfortunately, not streaming anywhere in America, but globally, the film has mysteriously become a VOD sensation in more than 10 countries around the world. Puzzling, considering it first hit theaters more than 15 years ago.

Law Abiding Citizen was panned by critics upon release, so much so that it earned 26% from critics on the aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes. It’s one of the lowest-rated projects of Butler’s career. There was some redemption on the audience-driven Popcornmeter, though, where the action film earned 75%, nearly triple its critics’ score. It found success at the box office as well, as one of Butler’s earlier blockbusters. With a budget of $50 million, Law Abiding Citizen grossed $127 million at the global box office. The film also stars Leslie Bibb and Regina Hall.

Kurt Wimmer wrote the script to Law Abiding Citizen, and F. Gary Gray directed the film. Wimmer is famous for writing The Beekeeper, and he also wrote the upcoming Jason Statham-led sequel, which wrapped production last month. Gray is known for directing the 2003 action vehicle, The Italian Job, which is actually a remake of the popular Michael Caine film of the same name that was released in the late ’60s.

Gerard Butler’s Next Movie Is Coming Out Sooner Than You Think

Gerard Butler’s next action movie will be in theaters sooner than you realize. Butler’s Greenland: Migration is currently scheduled to premiere exclusively in theaters on January 9, and it will also bring back Morena Baccarin from the first film. The first Greenland movie follows the Garrity family as they escape to the haven of a bunker, and the sequel will follow them as they venture back out into a dangerous wasteland. Butler will also reprise his role as Stoick in a sequel to the live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie in 2026.

Be sure to check out Law Abiding Citizen on VOD platforms like Prime Video, and stay tuned to Collider for more streaming updates.