Michael Bay Netflix success has taken on new momentum as his 2022 action movie “Ambulance” has unexpectedly climbed the Netflix most-watched chart, drawing attention nearly three years after its initial release. The rise of this film on the platform reflects renewed audience interest in Bay’s distinct high-stakes storytelling and signals a resurgence in his cinematic reach.
Despite Michael Bay’s legacy with popular movies such as “Bad Boys,” “The Rock,” “Armageddon,” and the “Transformers” series, his career had slowed in recent years. Among his recent projects, “Ambulance” was notable for having a significantly smaller budget than his usual blockbusters, costing just $40 million compared to the much larger budgets for his previous films.
Factors Behind “Ambulance” Finding Success Online
“Ambulance” managed to earn a second wind largely because it debuted this month on Netflix, providing action enthusiasts and Bay fans with a fresh opportunity to experience the film. For many followers who missed its original theatrical release, the move to streaming was an invitation to revisit Bay’s explosive style with a story that’s both contained and high-energy.
Michael Bay, whose recent output includes only a few films since “Transformers: The Last Knight,” remains a director with a polarized reputation yet a loyal fanbase. The context and timing of “Ambulance” arriving on Netflix—long enough after its box office bow for nostalgia and curiosity to set in—helped propel it into the top 10 rankings on the platform.
The relatively modest production scale also stands out. While “6 Underground,” a previous Bay-helmed Netflix original, had a massive $150 million budget, “Ambulance” was created with less than a third of that amount. The story, focused on a desperate man enlisting his adoptive brother’s help to fund his wife’s surgery through a risky bank heist, has resonated with viewers. This lower-budget approach allowed Bay to work within tighter confines, focusing on intensity rather than sheer spectacle.
“Ambulance” received a 68% Rotten Tomatoes rating, a modest improvement for Bay after lukewarm receptions to his most recent blockbusters. This critical reception, paired with audience accessibility via Netflix, contributed to its renewed popularity.
Previous Collaboration with Netflix: “6 Underground”
Bay’s earlier partnership with Netflix resulted in “6 Underground,” starring Ryan Reynolds and depicting a band of vigilantes targeting a dictator. Despite its high-octane sequences and a substantial viewership count—83 million users tuned in—critics responded unfavorably, leading to a Rotten Tomatoes score of just 36%. Many reviewers criticized the film’s relentless action, suggesting that the abundance of chase scenes and explosions caused them to lose their impact.
The aftermath of “6 Underground” likely influenced the more constrained budget for “Ambulance,” which ultimately delivered a more focused viewing experience. Despite a dip in his film output, Michael Bay’s Netflix ventures highlighted both the risks and rewards of transitioning his blockbuster vision to streaming audiences.
A Shift Away from Signature Action: “We Are Storror”
After “Ambulance,” Michael Bay pivoted away from action with “We Are Storror,” a 2025 documentary about a group of British parkour and freerunning athletes known as Storror. The film diverged from Bay’s characteristic high-intensity genre, instead delving into the dynamic world of urban athletics and creativity. Premiering at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival, “We Are Storror” received strong praise from critics and secured an impressive 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. In this work, Bay blended black-and-white with color visuals, integrating traditional and GoPro footage, to capture the movement and artistry of Storror.
Looking Forward: Michael Bay’s Next Steps
Despite having stepped away from regular action filmmaking after “Ambulance,” Michael Bay may be poised for a significant return. Recent developments indicate Bay will re-engage with the “Transformers” franchise, following the underperformance of “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and the commercial failure of “Transformers One.” The rumors surrounding Bay’s involvement—as either director or hands-on producer—suggest that his distinct style and experience are seen as assets to revive the franchise’s fortunes.
With “Ambulance” finding success in a new context and Bay reportedly preparing for another major studio collaboration, the director’s career appears ready for another chapter. Whether he resumes command in the director’s chair or influences the direction as a producer, Michael Bay remains a figure with considerable impact both in theaters and on streaming platforms.
For those exploring Bay’s body of work through Netflix, “Ambulance” serves as an introduction to a more contained but equally intense approach to action storytelling. As audiences continue to revisit and reassess his films, Michael Bay Netflix success ensures his signature blend of high stakes, adrenaline, and explosive set pieces are still very much in demand.
The cast of “Ambulance” features Cedric Sanders and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, whose performances anchor the film’s emotional stakes and high-tension plot, further contributing to its newfound popularity among Netflix viewers and action movie fans alike.
