It may have flopped in theaters, butJason Statham’s stylish 2023 spy thrillerOperation Fortune: Ruse de Guerreis enjoying a surprising comeback—this time, for free. Directed byGuy Ritchie, the action-comedy hybrid was all but swallowed by a stacked release calendar in early 2023, when it had the misfortune of opening againstJohn Wick: Chapter 4,Creed III,andScream VI.Despite a $50 million budgetand a globe-trotting premise, the film managed just $48.9 million worldwide, missing the mark and quickly fading from the box office conversation. But now? It’s quietly become a streaming hit—and fans are rediscovering what they missed the first time around.
After rolling out across various streaming platforms like Hulu, Peacock, and Starz,Operation Fortunehas now made its free streaming debut onTubi. The result? A groundswell of late-blooming appreciation from Statham and Ritchie fans alike. The film stars Statham as elite spyOrson Fortune, quite the name for a man tasked with stopping the illegal sale of cutting-edge weapons tech. But, in classic Ritchie fashion, things get weird fast: Fortune must team up with a group of international operatives — and a pampered Hollywood star — to complete the mission. It’s partThe Man from U.N.C.L.E., partThe Kingsman, and all Ritchie.
The cast is also a fun one,including the likes ofAubrey Plaza,Josh Hartnett,Cary Elwes,Bugzy Malone, andHugh Grant,rounding out the ensemble, with Grant in particular hamming it up as eccentric arms dealer Greg Simmonds.
What Went Wrong With Operation Fortune?
Despite the director’s signature witand the proven action chops of its star,Operation Fortunenever caught fire in theaters. Blame the crowded release window, the marketing muddle (it was delayed multiple times and barely promoted), or just plain bad luck. But the film’s fortunes began to shift once it hit digital platforms. While there’s no formal metric to measure success on free streaming platforms like Tubi, the film’spresence on trending chartsand renewed social media buzz have made it clear: audiences are findingOperation Fortuneat last.
And we probably won’t get a sequel either, with Ritchie turning intoTaylor Sheridanthanks to the amount of shows he’s involved in, likeThe GentlemenandMobLand, and Statham filming whatever mindless action flick he’s cooking up next, but for those who want to give it a try, they can head over to Tubi for a night of free action.
Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre
