Star Power Prevails: Damon & Bernthal's Epic Reigns as #1 Streaming Hit

The year 2026 has proven to be an unforgettable one so far for Hollywood stars Matt Damon and Jon Bernthal. Both actors have not only made appearances in Christopher Nolan’s latest blockbuster hit, which has impressively crossed the $1 billion mark at the box office, but have also celebrated significant successes with other projects across streaming platforms and theatrical releases.

Matt Damon, in particular, teamed up with Ben Affleck earlier in the year for “The Rip,” a crime thriller that premiered directly on streaming. This film quickly garnered over 100 million views during its initial viewing window, solidifying its position as one of the top 10 most-watched Netflix movies of the year. Jon Bernthal also experienced remarkable success, reuniting with Tom Holland for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” This superhero epic has already surged past $2 billion at the global box office and is on track for a run substantial enough to rank it among the three or four highest-grossing movies of all time.

Years prior to Christopher Nolan conceiving the idea for “The Odyssey” while he was still immersed in the production of “Tenet,” Matt Damon and Jon Bernthal had already shared the screen in another celebrated epic that is now enjoying renewed attention on streaming. This film is “Ford v Ferrari,” a powerful racing drama directed by James Mangold and written by Jez and John-Henry Butterworth and Jason Keller. The duo was joined by Christian Bale and Caitríona Balfe in this critically acclaimed movie. Seven years after its initial release, where it more than doubled its $97 million budget with a $226 million box office performance, “Ford v Ferrari” continues to resonate with audiences. Despite still lacking a permanent streaming home in America, the film has become one of the top 10 most popular rentals and purchases on various Video-On-Demand (VOD) platforms, including Prime Video and Apple TV, not just in the U.S. but in several countries worldwide.

The official synopsis for “Ford v Ferrari,” which boasts nearly flawless scores of 92% from critics and 98% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, describes a compelling narrative. It follows American automotive designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and the fearless British race car driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) as they confront corporate interference, the formidable laws of physics, and their own personal challenges. Their mission is to construct a revolutionary vehicle for the Ford Motor Co. with the ambition of competing against the elite race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966. The film’s esteemed cast also features Tracy Letts as Henry Ford II, Josh Lucas as Leo Beebe, Noah Jupe as Peter Miles, and Remo Girone as Enzo Ferrari. Released on November 13, 2019, this PG-13 rated film runs for 153 minutes and falls under the genres of Drama, Action, and History.

In addition to film releases, Collider has presented an insightful “Oscar Best Picture Quiz,” designed to help film enthusiasts discover which Academy Award Best Picture winner aligns with their personal cinematic preferences. This quiz explores various dimensions of film, from its tone and theme to its structure and craft, guiding users through ten questions to match them with a movie that truly resonates with their viewing experience. The five distinct Oscar Best Picture winners highlighted in the quiz, each offering a unique vision of what cinema can achieve, include:

• Parasite: Appeals to those who appreciate genre-bending narratives about class, inequality, and human desperation, delivering a darkly funny, deeply suspenseful, and genuinely shocking experience.
• Everything Everywhere All at Once: Suited for viewers seeking an overwhelming, maximalist, and genre-blending experience that explores identity, family, and the beautiful chaos of life, with a genuinely earned emotional core amidst the spectacle.
• Oppenheimer: Designed for audiences drawn to grand-scale cinema that treats history as a powerful, shaping force, delving into themes of genius, moral responsibility, and the catastrophic weight of decisions that reverberate through time.
• Birdman: Targets those impressed by formal daring, such as a film appearing as a single continuous take, exploring ego, legacy, self-destruction, and the existential questions surrounding artistic relevance.
• No Country for Old Men: Resonates with individuals who prefer lean, relentless, and formally controlled cinema that trusts silence, refuses easy explanations, and uses dread as a profound form of meaning, offering an honest, bleak portrayal of evil and chance.

This quiz further underscores the diverse and impactful contributions of these celebrated films, inviting viewers to reflect on their own deep-seated cinematic desires.