Guy Ritchie & Charlie Hunnam's Fantasy Action Epic Finds Streaming Salvation After Flopping

Published Aug 24, 2026, 12:39 PM EDT Jeff Dodge (he/him), a published author and graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena. Fun Fact: he’s been to every single Idol Live! Tour. Guy Ritchie has already found success this year with a new Prime Video series, and now his fantasy film with Charlie Hunnam is seeing a resurgence on the streaming charts after flopping in theaters. Over the years, the acclaimed filmmaker has released films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Sherlock Holmes and Aladdin, and the TV shows MobLand and Young Sherlock. The latter series, released in March, has earned positive reviews and award nominations. Ritchie is still creating new films and TV shows in 2026, but some of his past projects are currently resurfacing thanks to streaming platforms. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword from 2017 sees Hunnam play the iconic historical literary figure in an origin story. The film is currently No. 4 on HBO Max's global Top 10 movies chart, as of August 24, 2026. Mortal Kombat II, Killing Faith and Evolution are in the top three spots, with Bugonia, The Longest Yard, My Fault: London, The Pickup, A Private Life and Song Sung Blue rounding out the Top 10. Guy Ritchie's Fantasy Takes The Genre In New Directions Before directing King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Ritchie had helmed movies like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, Swept Away, Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The filmmaker is known for creating stories with a gritty tone, fast-paced dialogue and morally gray characters. The story of King Arthur has been at the center of many films over the years, like Camelot, Excalibur and King Arthur. He's typically depicted as a regal figure. Ritchie's version takes the genre in a new direction, though. By focusing on his origin story, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword subverts expectations of the character and shows Arthur in the seedy parts of town instead of walking the halls of an impressive castle. Guy Ritchie Continues Streaming Dominance Credit: Cover Images Unfortunately, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword flopped at the box office, grossing only $149 million against a reported $175 million budget. Reviews were equally disappointing, with critics giving the film a 31% on Rotten Tomatoes. Now, almost a decade later, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword has finally found salvation thanks to its availability on HBO Max in countries like Albania, Germany, Hungary and Poland. (The movie is not streaming in the United States, though.) King Arthur's current success continues Ritchie's streaming dominance from the last few years. In 2024, he created the Netflix series The Gentlemen, which earned solid reviews and a win at the Creative Arts Emmys. The Gentlemen season 2 will premiere on September 3, and a third season is already in the works. Last year, Ritchie executive produced the Paramount+ crime drama MobLand, which is also coming back for a second season next month (September 18, to be exact). Meanwhile, his most recent series Young Sherlock shot to No. 1 on Prime Video's streaming chart in March and didn't leave the Top 10 until May. Even if a movie flops at the box office, streaming subscribers are clearly ready to embrace Guy Ritchie from the comfort of home. Release Date May 12, 2017 Runtime 126 Minutes Director Guy Ritchie King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is a 2017 action-adventure movie directed by Guy Ritchie. After being robbed of his birthright, Arthur, played by Charlie Hunnam, is able to pull a sword from the stone and restart his journey toward his true legacy. Along the way, Arthur goes up against King Vortigern, who is played by Jude Law. Writers Joby Harold, Guy Ritchie, Lionel Wigram, David Dobkin Producers Akiva Goldsman, Lionel Wigram, Steve Clark-Hall, Tory Tunnell, Guy Ritchie, Joby Harold Main Genre Adventure Executive Producer(s) Bruce Berman, David Dobkin, Steven Mnuchin, James Herbert Budget 175 million Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures