Nicolas Cage western streaming success has drawn new attention after “The Old Way,” his first entry into the genre, started trending on Tubi despite being dismissed during its brief 2023 theater run. Audiences now have a chance to rediscover Cage’s lesser-known western performance from the comfort of home, rapidly boosting the film’s profile where it was previously ignored.
Nicolas Cage Ventures Into the Western Genre
Despite a career spanning over forty years and deep family ties to cinema royalty as a member of the Coppola family, Nicolas Cage only entered the western arena in 2023. In “The Old Way,” he played Colton Briggs—a man whose past forces him into a violent quest for revenge after his family is killed. This tale, a classic narrative of retribution, marked Cage’s first attempt at a western role.
The film’s release was quiet, confined to a limited run in theaters and largely failing to attract moviegoers. At the box office, “The Old Way” made little impact, and critics were less than impressed, leading to a modest 32% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. As a result, the movie escaped wider recognition, with many people not even aware it existed.
Resurgence on Tubi Signals Newfound Popularity
Streaming services like Tubi have become a haven for films that didn’t gain traction in traditional theaters, offering them a chance to connect with audiences seeking fresh options. Once “The Old Way” landed on Tubi, its fortunes swiftly changed, shooting to the platform’s top-ranked spot. Viewer reception stands in stark contrast to critic opinions, as reflected in the Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 70%—more than double the score given by critics.
This reversal highlights how home viewing offers films like “The Old Way” an opportunity to find appreciation without the pressures and expectations of the box office. Viewers who might have skipped the film in theaters are now giving it a second look, discovering its entertainment value when access is both easier and free of extra costs.
Factors Behind the Film’s Streaming Success
Several elements contributed to the film’s earlier lack of recognition. The western genre is not experiencing a boom, and public perception of Cage has often been shaped by a mix of overlooked performances and roles in less favorably reviewed projects. The limited theatrical release of “The Old Way” meant many potential viewers never encountered the film during its initial debut, further hampering its reach.
Free streaming on Tubi has provided the right platform for “The Old Way” to attract a more casual audience, one willing to give a new western a chance in a low-risk setting. Viewers have responded positively, finding enough merit in Cage’s portrayal of Colton Briggs and in the film’s revenge-driven plot to recommend it despite comparisons to more celebrated westerns or Cage’s other acclaimed roles such as “Pig” and “Longlegs.”
In addition, 2023 also saw Cage take on another western, “Butcher’s Crossing,” and he is set to return to the genre again in 2025 with “The Gunslingers.” This run of westerns signals his ongoing willingness to explore new territory within his expansive career.
What This Means for Nicolas Cage and Streaming Audiences
“The Old Way” finding success on Tubi reflects changes in how films build an audience in the streaming age. Projects that missed recognition at the box office now have a chance to gain popularity online, sometimes long after their initial release. For Cage, whose filmography spans decades and genres, the positive reception of “The Old Way” demonstrates that actors and films can find new relevance through accessible streaming channels.
This phenomenon also underscores the role of viewer-driven platforms, where audience scores and organic interest can elevate a project above critical expectations. As Cage continues to engage with the western genre, streaming platforms like Tubi may offer additional opportunities for both actors and audiences to reconnect with overlooked cinema, breathing new life into stories that went unnoticed the first time around.
