Rami Malek’s 2025 Spy Thriller Finds Massive Success On Streaming

The Amateur, starring Academy Award-winning actor Rami Malek, is a prime example of the new reality many studios are dealing with when it comes to theatrical releases. Despite its disappointing performance at the box office, the movie has gained surprisingly strong traction on streaming platforms, giving it a second lease on life and reshaping preconceived notions about its reach and appeal.

What caused The Amateur to stumble theatrically, and why is it thriving in the digital space? More importantly, what does its trajectory reveal about the shifting landscape of the film industry?

Rami Malek’s The Amateur: The Box Office Challenge

Mismatched Expectations and Box Office Realities

Released earlier this year, The Amateur was billed as a taut espionage thriller with Malek playing a linguist thrust into international intrigue after the death of a loved one. Its thought-provoking premise promised a unique blend of cerebral drama and high-stakes action, distinguishing it from typical blockbuster spy thrillers. However, despite its gripping trailers and Malek’s star power, the film opened to underwhelming numbers at the box office.

Why? One factor may have been an increasingly competitive release calendar. The Amateur debuted alongside franchise juggernauts and surefire crowd-pleasers, leaving fewer casual moviegoers willing to take a chance on a slower, brainier genre piece. Additionally, the film’s marketing push seemed targeted at a niche audience rather than viewers at large. While this may have bolstered its appeal among Malek’s devoted fanbase, it wasn’t enough to attract the masses.

A Genre That Demands Patience

Timing and marketing aren’t the only culprits here. Spy thrillers like The Amateur often require patience and attention, making them more appealing to audiences willing to engage deeply with narrative subtleties. This level of emotional investment can sometimes make these films a tougher sell in theaters, where shorter attention spans—or moviegoers simply looking for escapism—can hurt more contemplative genres.

For The Amateur, the lack of immediate buzz likely offset its ability to gain the traction necessary for a sustainable box office run, delivering a blow to its theatrical prospects.

The Streaming Resurgence

A Perfect Streaming Storm

Months after underperforming at the box office, The Amateur has found unexpected success streaming on platforms like Hulu. But what sparked this resurgence? For starters, the convenience of digital platforms has allowed the film to find its ideal audience. Viewers who may have been intimidated by the pricier and time-sensitive nature of theatrical releases have had the opportunity to discover it in their own time.

Streaming platforms also excel at amplifying niche films. Algorithm-driven recommendations ensure that movies like The Amateur reach viewers who are predisposed to enjoy them. Fans of spy dramas or Rami Malek were likely prompted to check it out, creating an organic wave of enthusiasm.

Word of Mouth and Critical Reevaluation

Streaming gives films like The Amateur room to breathe, and the result here has been glowing word of mouth. Audiences who engaged with the film’s deliberate pacing and intricate plotting have taken to social media and review platforms to spread the word. Some critics who initially dismissed the film as too niche or slow have even revisited their perspectives, further boosting its visibility.

Rami Malek’s dedicated fanbase has also played a role. A-listers like Malek wield significant influence in the streaming era, as passionate followers are more likely to tune in from the comfort of home.

What the Success of The Amateur Signals About Hollywood

The Rise of Streaming Redemption Stories

The late-blooming triumph of The Amateur is part of a larger industry trend. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the rise of streaming platforms, and with theater attendance yet to fully recover in a blockbuster-saturated market, niche films have found an unexpected home online. For studios, this growing digital success provides an incentive to take risks on creative, mid-budget projects that might struggle theatrically.

Audiences Want What They Missed

Increasingly, movies that fail in theaters find new life on streaming platforms. The Amateur isn’t the first movie to flourish after a lackluster box office run, and it won’t be the last. The film’s reception underscores the importance of availability. With online platforms, the constraints of time and place vanish, allowing hidden gems to surface and shine.

For creatives, it serves as a reminder that theatrical runs no longer define a movie’s success. A second act on streaming can be just as critical—if not more so—when it comes to broadening a project’s impact.

Final Thoughts

Rami Malek’s The Amateur may not have started out as a commercial triumph, but its streaming success proves that there’s life beyond the box office. Thanks to a perfect storm of audience accessibility, algorithm support, and strong word of mouth, the film has managed to achieve the kind of reach and appreciation that seemed out of its grasp just months ago.

More importantly, The Amateur reflects the broader transformation of the entertainment industry—one where streaming platforms provide a second chance for films to find their audience and where success takes on entirely new forms. For audiences who love underdog stories and for filmmakers dreaming big, this is a hopeful glimpse of what’s possible in a constantly evolving cinematic landscape.