Warcraft: The Fantasy Epic That Conquered Netflix
The fantasy film ‘Warcraft’ has reached the Top 2 in the US on Netflix, and we’re here to give you the lowdown on this epic movie. Originally released in 2016, ‘Warcraft’ is based on the popular video game series of the same name and primarily focuses on the initial encounters between the human Alliance and the orcish Horde.
A fantasy epic that’s taken Netflix by storm
Directed by Duncan Jones, the movie stars Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, Dominic Cooper, Toby Kebbell, Ben Schnetzer, Robert Kazinsky, and Daniel Wu. Jones, a self-proclaimed fan of the game series, worked closely with Blizzard Entertainment to ensure the film’s appeal to long-time fans.
A Potential Franchise That Didn’t Quite Deliver
Despite its impressive visuals and ambition, ‘Warcraft’ failed to meet expectations, both commercially and critically. While the fantasy film performed well at the global box office, particularly in China, its $439 million of global grossings weren’t enough to reach the break-even point.
 A scene from the fantasy action film
The film follows Anduin Lothar of Stormwind and Durotan of the Frostwolf clan, heroes on opposing sides of a burgeoning war. The warlock Gul’dan leads the Horde in an invasion of Azeroth through a magical portal. Together, a few human heroes and dissenting orcs must unite to confront the true evil driving the conflict and strive to restore peace.
A Mixed Reception from Critics and Fans
‘Warcraft’ received mixed reviews from critics but was generally better received by fans of the video game series. Critics praised the visual effects and the film’s ambition but often criticized the pacing and complexity of the plot, which could be challenging for viewers unfamiliar with the ‘Warcraft’ lore.
 Director Duncan Jones, a self-proclaimed fan of the game series
The disappointing reception of the film was likely the cause of a potential franchise not moving forward. Director Jones expressed his interest in making a sequel, adapting the second video game of the series, but it never materialized. However, in September 2020, it was reported that Legendary was developing a new ‘Warcraft’ movie. It is unknown whether the movie would be a sequel or a reboot, or even if it would be distributed by Universal. Its current status isn’t known either.
A New Chapter for Warcraft?
With ‘Warcraft’ currently sitting at the second spot on Netflix’s Top 10, it’s clear that the fantasy epic still has a dedicated fan base. Whether or not the new movie in development will reignite the franchise remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure - the world of Azeroth is full of endless possibilities.
The fantasy epic that’s taken Netflix by storm
