The numbers are in. Adam Sandler’s Hustle has been ranked the No. 1 film on Netflix, beating out 2022 original films starring Elsa Pataky in Interceptor, Rebel Wilson in Senior Year, and Victoria Justice in A Perfect Pairing. The feel-good, sports drama made its entry onto the Global Top 10 list upon the film’s release on June 8. Altogether, Hustle has garnered a total of 84.6 million hours viewed, twice as many as runner-up Interceptor at 40.7 million.
The Sandler and LeBron James produced pic via Happy Madison Productions and SpringHill Entertainment, respectively, is No. 1 in 92 countries, including the U.S., Mexico, Canada, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Egypt, Pakistan, Hong Kong, U.A.E., and Australia, to name a few.
Hustle relishes in authenticity as a heartwarming story of the underdog. For a moment, the memory of Sandler’s comedic background takes a backseat to his dramatic post as the underestimated Stanley Sugerman, a disgraced NBA scout who desperately strategizes a plan to land back on top. His saving grace comes in the form of a phenomenal streetball player from Spain by the name of Bo Cruz (Juancho Hernangomez).
The victory lap is not so convenient, however, with antagonists Vince Merrick (Ben Foster), a severely misguided team owner, and Kermit Wilts (Anthony Edwards), an irreverently pushy basketball player, disrupting Sugerman’s plans for success. Then, there’s the added pressure of both Sugerman and Cruz’s pasts and the withstanding obligations to their families.
As can be predicted, the film ends in favor of Sugerman and Cruz, while delivering inspirational messages of redemption and vindication as has been seen in great sports films, such as Remember the Titans, Creed, and of course the basketball series, Hoops. Hustle definitely scores points as one of Sandler’s best pics in his filmography.
The film currently has a 92% rating on RottenTomatoes from both critics and audiences, while Metacritic reviews rate the film at a coarse 68. Overall, The MouthSoap gives the film an A rating due to its authentic storyline per scribes Taylor Materne and Will Fetters, relatable characters, and unique spin on a sports story told several times over.
Hustle is available on Netflix now.
