John Cena's latest action film, "Matchbox: The Movie," has achieved immediate success on Apple TV, climbing to the number one position on the platform's U.S. movie chart in its opening weekend. The film, which debuted on October 9, capitalizes on nostalgia for the popular Mattel toy cars and features a globe-trotting spy adventure directed by Sam Hargrave, known for his work on "Extraction 2."
Despite its strong performance in streaming rankings, "Matchbox: The Movie" has been met with a largely critical reception. Early reviews have pointed to a film that prioritizes action over emotional depth, with Variety describing it as a "placeholder" between "Fast & Furious" installments. The Wrap offered a slightly more lenient view, calling it a "genial time-waster" but also noted its toy-commercial aesthetic. The movie currently holds a 25% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film follows Cena as Sean, an undercover CIA agent who reunites with childhood friends, only to be drawn into an international conspiracy. The ensemble cast includes Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris, Arturo Castro, and Danai Gurira. This project marks another attempt to translate a Mattel property into a major film franchise, following the significant cultural impact of "Barbie."
While critics have been divided, the film's performance on Apple TV suggests that audiences are still drawn to high-octane action, spy thrillers, and the appeal of childhood nostalgia, even when critical consensus is less enthusiastic.