“Kevin Costner & Chadwick Boseman’s Overlooked Sports Drama Finds New Audience on Streaming After 11 Years”
Chadwick Boseman and Kevin Costner’s Underrated Sports Drama Finds New Life on Streaming
Years after its original release, Draft Day — a sports drama starring Chadwick Boseman and Kevin Costner — is enjoying a resurgence on streaming platforms. The film, which flew under the radar upon its 2014 debut, has now found a new audience on Netflix.
Chadwick Boseman, remembered for his powerful performances and untimely passing at the age of 43 due to colon cancer, had a remarkable career. Best known for his role as T’Challa in Black Panther and the Avengers films, Boseman also delivered a critically acclaimed performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, earning a posthumous Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
Kevin Costner, a seasoned actor and filmmaker, has his own Oscar-winning legacy. He won Best Director and Best Picture for Dances with Wolves and received a nomination for Best Actor. In recent years, Costner has become a prominent figure in Westerns, notably starring in Yellowstone before stepping away during its fifth season. He also wrote, directed, and starred in the Horizon film series.
In Draft Day, Costner plays Sonny Weaver Jr., a fictional NFL General Manager tasked with reviving his team’s future by making a bold move for the number one draft pick. Boseman portrays Vontae Mack, a talented and passionate draft prospect. The film also features Jennifer Garner, Frank Langella, and Patrick St. Esprit. While it earned just $29.8 million at the box office on a $25 million budget, the film is now gaining recognition online.
Recently, Draft Day climbed into Netflix’s Top 10 most-watched movies in the U.S., sitting at number 10 on April 7. It joins a list of trending titles including Geostorm, Alpha, Despicable Me 4, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, and Jack the Giant Slayer.
Why Draft Day’s Streaming Success Matters
Draft Day isn’t just another sports film—it holds sentimental value as the final feature directed by the legendary Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters). For fans of both Reitman and Boseman, it offers a chance to appreciate the work of two impactful artists during the later stages of their careers.
Though the film received mixed reviews at release (with a 60% score on Rotten Tomatoes), its behind-the-scenes look at the NFL Draft and its emotionally driven performances have helped it gain new appreciation. Draft Day may not have been a box office juggernaut, but its recent popularity proves that some stories just take time to find their audience.
