“Kevin Costner’s Divisive ‘Top Gun’ Replacement Climbs Streaming Charts Nearly 20 Years After Release”
From winning two Academy Awards for the epic Dances With Wolves to leading the hit Western series Yellowstone, Kevin Costner has long captured the attention of audiences worldwide. Over his four-decade career, the California native has starred in a range of memorable films and shows. But not every project has been universally embraced—some, like his 2006 action drama The Guardian, sparked mixed reactions upon release.
Nearly 20 years later, however, The Guardian is enjoying a surprising resurgence. As of now, it’s one of the top 10 most-streamed movies on Tubi in the United States. The film joins a group of older hits currently finding new life on the free streaming platform, alongside titles like Absolute Power starring Clint Eastwood, the high-octane Olympus Has Fallen with Gerard Butler, the beloved romantic fantasy Practical Magic with Sandra Bullock, and the cult adventure The Mummy directed by Stephen Sommers.
The Guardian’s unexpected return to popularity is welcome news for its loyal—if modest—fanbase. Originally released in 2006, the film underperformed at the box office, bringing in $94 million globally on a reported $70 million budget. Now, it’s finally getting a second wind.
For those unfamiliar with the film, here’s a quick synopsis:
Kevin Costner plays a veteran Coast Guard rescue swimmer haunted by a past tragedy that claimed his crew. Seeking redemption, he throws himself into training the next generation of rescue swimmers. He meets his match in Jake Fischer (Ashton Kutcher), a talented but arrogant young swimmer. As the two clash and bond, their relationship is tested during a dangerous mission in the treacherous waters of the Bering Strait.
The Guardian Drew Mixed Reviews—But Viewers Disagreed
Upon release, The Guardian drew comparisons to Top Gun for its military training narrative and mentor-protégé dynamic. But unlike the Tom Cruise classic, critics were not sold. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 37% critic score, with reviewers calling it formulaic and overly reliant on genre clichés.
Audiences, on the other hand, felt differently. The same site shows an audience score of 80%, reflecting a much warmer reception from viewers who appreciated the emotional stakes and performances—particularly from Costner and Kutcher.
Now, nearly two decades later, The Guardian appears to be getting the recognition it once lacked—proving once again that streaming can breathe new life into overlooked films.
