The 355 Finds New Life on Netflix, Climbing to Sixth in US Streaming Charts
Simon Kinberg’s action thriller The 355 has re-emerged with a renewed audience on Netflix, rising to sixth place on the United States Top 10 movies on the platform as of August 23, 2025, according to FlixPatrol’s latest tallies. The film, which initially hit theaters in 2022 to a tepid reception and disappointing box office performance, has found a second wave of attention in the streaming era, outpacing several kid-friendly favorites while staying ahead of a slate of other action titles.
What The 355 is About
The film centers on a daring chase for a powerful digital drive that can breach any security system. A criminal mastermind, Elijah Clarke, possesses this device, prompting CIA operative Mace Brown to pursue it as it falls into the hands of Colombian agent Luis Rojas. What follows is a web of betrayals and double-crosses that puts Mace’s partner Nick in peril, with rival operatives and terrorists eager to exploit the device for global disruption.
As Mace and her allies chase clues across Morocco and Shanghai, they uncover that Nick has been playing a double role within the spy game. After a high-stakes sequence that features hostage rescues and the destruction of the drive, the team faces arrest. Two months later, they capture Nick and ensure he will be held to account, while the group parts ways with the sense that future missions may still lie ahead. The film showcases a star-studded cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Lupita Nyong’o, Diane Kruger, Fan Bingbing, Sebastian Stan, and Édgar Ramírez, among others.
Simon Kinberg’s Career and Film Background
Before stepping into the director’s chair for The 355, Kinberg had already built a robust Hollywood résumé as a writer and producer. His early work includes XXX: State of the Union and Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but his reputation grew largely through his long association with the X-Men film series, where he contributed to scripts and production on several entries, including The Last Stand, First Class, Days of Future Past, and Apocalypse.
Beyond the mutant universe, Kinberg has been involved with major projects such as Sherlock Holmes, Elysium, Chappie, Fantastic Four, Cinderella, and Murder on the Orient Express. He also produced The Martian, a project that earned him an Oscar nomination for his role behind the scenes.
Why The 355 Has Resonated Again
The renewed attention on The 355 illustrates a broader trend: mid-budget action thrillers can find a second life on streaming platforms years after their theatrical debut. With a high-profile ensemble cast and globe-trotting set pieces—Morocco and Shanghai among them—the film offers a fast-paced, international espionage experience that remains accessible for streaming audiences seeking instant, high-energy entertainment. The shifting dynamics of how viewers discover and revisit titles on Netflix can turn a divisive or underperforming release into a conversation piece years later, especially when paired with strong performances from a star-studded cast.
What This Means for Viewers and the Industry
For audiences, The 355 represents an accessible big-screen-style thriller now available for on-demand viewing, complete with a sprawling international chase and a cast-driven appeal. For Netflix and its subscribers, the film’s renewed visibility underscores the platform’s ability to breathe new life into titles that didn’t initially click with theater-going crowds, expanding the scope of what streaming can offer in terms of star power, action, and cross-border intrigue.
A Positive Note
The renewed spotlight on The 355 demonstrates the value of streaming as a second chance for ambitious ensemble projects. It’s a reminder that a film’s impact can evolve with time, reaching new viewers who may have missed it during its original release. The presence of such a star-studded cast in a fast-paced, globe-trotting spy adventure provides a hopeful example of how thoughtful casting and international storytelling can endure beyond a film’s initial window.
If you’re seeking action-packed espionage with a high-profile cast and brisk tempo, The 355 on Netflix offers a contemporary take on a genre that continues to attract audiences worldwide.