Bruce Willis, known for iconic roles in films like Die Hard and Pulp Fiction, has recently found a surprising streaming success with his 2022 action movie Gasoline Alley. Although the film initially performed poorly with critics, earning just a 23% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it has climbed to become one of the ten most-streamed movies on Paramount+ in America as of July 8, 2025, reflecting a notable Bruce Willis surprise streaming hit.
Gasoline Alley stars Willis alongside Luke Wilson and Canadian actor Devon Sawa, with direction and co-writing credits going to Edward John Drake and Tom Sierchio. Despite a negligible $10,000 box office revenue from a limited release in Portugal, the film has garnered significant attention through streaming, demonstrating a sharp contrast between critical reception and viewer interest.
Audience Reception vs. Critical Response
While critics largely dismissed Gasoline Alley, audiences have shown a much warmer reception, reflected in an 84% audience score on Popcornmeter—the highest rating of Willis’ recent films. This pattern echoes Willis’ late-career trajectory, which saw many direct-to-video action releases largely overlooked by mainstream reviewers but appreciated by dedicated viewers.
Released just a year before Willis’ retirement, Gasoline Alley precedes his final film, Assassin (2023), a sci-fi action feature that similarly suffered poor critical reviews with a 9% critic score but garnered a 65% audience rating. These figures highlight the divide between critics and fans during the closing chapter of Willis’ prolific Hollywood career.
Contextualizing Gasoline Alley Among Paramount+ Hits
Gasoline Alley’s placement at number ten on Paramount+’s most-streamed films in the U.S. marks it as a contender among other popular titles. Ranking above Eddie Murphy’s widely panned Norbit at nine, the movie trails behind films like The Nice Guys starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling at eight, and Matthew McConaughey’s The Lincoln Lawyer at seven.
The list also features notable films such as the cult favorite Mean Girls at six, Mel Gibson’s Monster Summer and The Patriot at five and four, Tom Cruise’s blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick at three, Jason Bateman’s Extract at two, and Jack Quaid’s 2025 action hit Novocaine reigning at number one. This range of films underlines Gasoline Alley’s unexpected success in a competitive streaming environment.
Main Cast and Their Roles in Gasoline Alley
The film’s cast includes Bruce Willis as Detective Freeman, with Devon Sawa playing Jimmy Jayne, Luke Wilson as Detective Vargas, and Kat Foster in the role of Christine. Their performances contribute to the movie’s appeal despite the original lukewarm critical reception.
The Enduring Appeal of Bruce Willis in Streaming
Bruce Willis’ transition from major theatrical releases to a focus on direct-to-video action films may have shifted his audience base but did not diminish his impact. Gasoline Alley’s streaming rise signals that, even late into his career and after retirement due to illness, Willis continues to attract viewers who appreciate his signature style and on-screen presence.
This unexpected streaming success on Paramount+ suggests that Bruce Willis’ films can find new life beyond theatrical runs, especially in an era when streaming platforms shape audience tastes and offer opportunities for rediscovery.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Bruce Willis able to speak?
A. Bruce Willis can’t speak much anymore. He used to love reading a lot, but he isn’t able to read at all now.
Q. How long could Bruce Willis live?
A. According to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, people diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia usually live for about seven to 13 years. Bruce Willis has this condition.
Q. Is Bruce Willis not able to speak?
A. Bruce Willis can no longer speak. He used to love reading a lot, but now he can’t. Despite losing these skills, he’s still himself, according to Caron.
Q. What stage of aphasia is Bruce Willis?
A. Willis’ situation likely aligns with primary progressive aphasia, considering his family’s earlier report of an aphasia diagnosis, according to Milano.
