January 2026 unexpectedly became a landmark month for film releases, particularly on streaming platforms. While the period after the awards-heavy roster of November and December is typically lighter, with only a couple of major titles like 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and the Netflix original The Rip expected to dominate, a German original film on Amazon's Prime Video service has emerged as a significant conversation-starter, quickly establishing itself as the first great thriller of the year. This breakout hit, titled The Tank (also known by its original German title, Der Tiger), was recently added to Prime Video's lineup following a successful theatrical run in Germany.

The film immerses viewers in the harrowing final days of World War II, following a five-man crew of a German Tiger tank. They embark on a secret, solo mission far beyond the Eastern Front, a journey that progressively grows stranger and more disorienting. As their mission unfolds, the crew is forced to question not only what they are up against, but also what they are truly fighting for. The narrative delves deep into their psyches, presenting the mission as much a dangerous wartime objective as a dark psychological exploration. Hints of supernatural or horrific elements are woven into the action, leaving the audience to ponder whether these are genuine occurrences or the mind-altering effects of prolonged conflict.

Since its debut on Prime Video in early January, The Tank has achieved remarkable streaming success, consistently ranking among the most popular films on the service. It has maintained a steady presence in the daily rotating Top 10 list in the United States, but its performance internationally has been even more dominant. According to FlixPatrol, The Tank has frequently held one of the top two spots globally, even surpassing anticipated titles like the Dave Bautista-starring action movie Trap House. This success is particularly notable given that films like The Rip (starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon) and the upcoming Prime Video original The Wrecking Crew (featuring Bautista and Jason Momoa) were expected to generate buzz due to their major Hollywood stars. The Tank, a foreign language movie without recognizable Hollywood names, flew under the radar only to become the month's undisputed breakout hit. Its performance has even led to an unprecedented streaming milestone, as it was officially declared the most-watched German language film in Prime Video’s history.

The Tank offers a unique cinematic experience, lauded for its beautiful cinematography and captivating performances. It deliberately subverts expectations, presenting itself initially as a straightforward depiction of war's horrors. However, the escalating strangeness and misdirects culminate in a trippy, highly divisive ending that few viewers anticipate. This conclusion has become a central topic of discussion surrounding the film, with some audiences praising its bold reveal while others found it off-putting. Regardless of individual reception, the unique and unexpected nature of its ending solidifies The Tank as a movie worth experiencing firsthand, thriving in a month typically devoid of such impactful releases.

The film was directed and co-written by Dennis Gansel, with Colin Teevan also contributing to the script. Gansel is known for his previous work on the 2016 action-thriller Mechanic: Resurrection, starring Jason Statham. The cast of The Tank includes David Schütter as Lieutenant Philip Gerkens, Laurence Rupp as Christian Weller, Leonard Kunz as Helmut, Sebastian Urzendowsky as Keiig, and Tilman Strauss as Paul von Hardenburg. Prime Video acquired the exclusive streaming rights to the film late last year, a decision that has clearly paid off. With a runtime of 117 minutes, the movie has garnered comparisons to other beloved WWII films such as Fury, directed by David Ayer. It has also outperformed other popular action films currently on Prime Video, including several Jason Statham hits.