Hidden Strike: Jackie Chan, John Cena action movie is a surprise hit on Netflix after sitting on a shelf for five years

Last Updated on August 24, 2023

Jackie Chan and John Cena star in Hidden Strike, an action movie which sat on a shelf for five years only to become a surprise hit on Netflix. How’s that for a glow-up? The streaming service has dropped its Top Ten for the past week and Hidden Strike has taken the number one spot for the second week in a row with 23.5 million views.

Jackie Chan and John Cena play two ex-special force soldiers who must escort a group of civilians along Badhdad’s Highway of Death to the safety of the Green Zone. Hidden Strike was shot back in September 2018, so this one has remained under the radar for quite some time.

The film was directed by Scott Waugh (Need for Speed) from a script by Arash Amel (The Titan) but was an entirely Chinese-funded project filmed in China using local crews. “Some Western talent just come in-and-out when they do a China project, but these guys have a commitment to the culture and industry,” said Jackie Chan when the project was announced. “Scott has been living here for months to prepare for the film, and John has been learning Mandarin on his own for years, way before we asked him to join our cast.” The film was supposed to capitalize on the partnership between Hollywood and China that was all the rage back then, but soured trade relations and the COVID-19 pandemic left the project in limbo. It’s also possible that John Cena’s actions may have further delayed the film when he referred to Taiwan as a country while promoting F9. There was an immediate backlash and Cena issued an apology, which was also criticized.

“When a group of international rebels target a massive oil refinery in Iraq, a private Chinese security team led by Commander Luo (Chan) volunteers to escort nearly 500 civilians to safety in Iraq’s Green Zone,” reads the official synopsis. “To get there, they must travel via bus along one of the most dangerous roads in the world. On the way, they’re attacked by a team of mercenaries, including decorated US veteran Chris (Cena). Initially reluctant to take on the job, Chris accepts the offer after finding out the exorbitant cost of restoring water to the Iraqi village where he lives. As Luo and Chris find out who’s really behind the oil refinery heist, the two join forces to save lives… and kick ass.“

Hidden Strike is now streaming on Netflix. Have you watched it?