John Cena’s 126-Minute Thriller Refuses to Go Down Quietly After Streaming Jackpot

Despite the polarizing reviews and what critics say, John Cena‘s 126-minute thriller movie will not go down quietly. Released on October 9th, Cena’s Matchbox has found immense success on Apple TV and has been dominating the charts.

According to FlixPatrol, John Cena’s Matchbox: The Movie is currently #1 on the list of top 10 movies on Apple TV as of October 12, 2026. The thriller flick is followed by Mayday and The Last First: Winter K2. Although dominating the streaming charts, Matchbox got pretty bashed by critics and early reviews, and the reasons aren’t entirely false.

The film is dominating the top of the charts because fans love an action-thriller with John Cena in it. Despite the love that Matchbox has received from fans, it seems that critics didn’t find much joy in reviewing the movie.

John Cena’s Matchbox: The Movie Got Bashed By Critics

John Cena in a still from Matchbox: The Movie | Credits: Apple Studios

Starring John Cena in the lead role, Matchbox: The Movie follows the reunion of high school friends Sean Walker (Cena), Aimee (Jessica Biel), Crosby (Sam Richardson), Ted (Arturo Castro), and Charmaine (Teyonah Parris).

Chaos ensues when spy and former soldier Sean Walker is drugged and kidnapped by a group looking for a nuclear warhead. The CIA believes Walker and his friends stole the nuclear weapon, so the group decides to re-steal the warhead to prove their innocence.

The film currently has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 25%, and common complaints include the plot being predictable, a generic streaming-actioner feel, and an uneven tone. Even with such polarizing reviews, Matchbox is dominating the streaming charts, and it seems that the movie will likely stay in the top 5 for a few days more.

Why You Should Watch Sam Hargrave’s Action Flick

A still from Matchbox: The Movie | Credits: Apple Studios

The film is directed by Sam Hargrave, the director of Extraction and Extraction 2. Naturally, the stunts and action are the highlight of the film, with terrific sequences and iconic scenes that are good enough to be watched in theaters.

Audience reaction on Rotten Tomatoes has been friendlier, with several viewers praising Cena’s charm. The chase sequences and the overall comedic tone make Matchbox: The Movie the perfect movie to watch from the comfort of your home.

Although it might have its occasional flaws, like an uneven pace or a two-dimensional character, that shouldn’t deter you from watching an absurdly funny movie with John Cena in the lead.

Have you seen this John Cena masterpiece? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Matchbox: The Movie is available to stream on Apple TV.