Mark Wahlberg’s Streaming Success Leaves Hollywood in the Dust
Mark Wahlberg’s latest run of straight-to-streaming films has seen him pocket a staggering $60 million this year. Find out how the Aussie-favourite actor has outpaced the competition and become the new king of streaming.
Mark Wahlberg, a familiar face in the film industry for decades, has managed to climb right back to the top of the entertainment pile. This year, the bloke behind Flight Risk has raked in a whopping $60 million, according to Forbes. Wahlberg’s knack for picking direct-to-streaming projects has paid off handsomely, with the actor reportedly earning between $20 and $25 million per film for his work with Apple and Prime Video. Since 2020, he’s fronted seven streaming releases, collaborating with the likes of Netflix and Paramount+ as well.
Dominating the Streaming Game in 2025
Wahlberg’s recent efforts, including Play Dirty and The Family Plan 2, have made a splash on streaming platforms. Play Dirty shot straight to number one on Prime Video, while The Family Plan 2—despite copping some pretty average reviews—still managed to top the Apple TV charts as soon as it landed. Both films dropped in 2025, with The Family Plan 2 offering a family-friendly action-comedy vibe, and Play Dirty delivering a heist thriller punch. The first was directed by Simon Cellan Jones, while Shane Black took the reins for the latter, adapting Donald E. Westlake’s Parker novels.
Wahlberg’s co-stars in these projects include a solid line-up: Michelle Monaghan, Zoe Colletti, Kit Harington, LaKeith Stanfield, Rosa Salazar, and a few more familiar names. While neither film set the critics alight—The Family Plan 2 scored 35% on Rotten Tomatoes and Play Dirty managed 43%—punters still tuned in, pushing both titles to the top of their respective platforms.
Why Streaming Is Working for Wahlberg
Big-name theatrical releases have been struggling lately, with films like Dwayne Johnson’s Smashing Machine and Glen Powell’s The Running Man failing to hit the mark at the box office. In contrast, Wahlberg’s agent, Ari Emanuel, summed up the situation:
The biggest star in streaming is Mark Wahlberg. Without a doubt on the movie side. There’s no question, just go look at all his movies.
Since 2020, Wahlberg’s streaming projects have reportedly pulled in around $680 million in global revenue across all major platforms. That’s a tidy sum, and it’s clear the shift to streaming has been a smart move for the actor.
From Box Office Flops to Streaming Triumphs
Wahlberg’s Flight Risk didn’t exactly set the box office on fire, but it found new life on streaming, climbing the charts on HBO Max. He’s now seen as one of the most reliable names in the business, with Forbes even dubbing him “The King of Streaming.”
Even older titles like Shooter have enjoyed a resurgence, breaking into Paramount+’s Top 10 nearly twenty years after release. In cinemas, Wahlberg’s only real hit in recent years was Uncharted. Other attempts—Arthur the King, Father Stu, Joe Bell, and Scoob!—didn’t fare so well with critics or at the box office. The move to streaming wasn’t just convenient; it was a clever way to revive his career. With more projects on the horizon, Wahlberg’s run at the top looks set to continue.
The Family Plan 2 is available on Apple TV+ in Australia.
Play Dirty is streaming on Prime Video for Aussie viewers.
Flight Risk can be found on HBO Max in Australia.