The Gerard Butler action thriller “Den of Thieves,” which originally hit theaters in 2018, is enjoying renewed popularity on the free streaming platform Tubi in the United States. This resurgence places Butler—who recently starred in the box office hit “How to Train Your Dragon”—back in the spotlight as both audiences and streaming viewers rediscover his intense and conflicted roles.
Butler’s enduring appeal at the box office is matched by his presence on streaming services. Earlier this year, his role in the live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon” contributed to a worldwide gross close to $650 million, keeping him just outside the year’s top five earners. While “How to Train Your Dragon” solidified Butler’s reputation for major cinematic successes, “Den of Thieves” stands out as one of his more overlooked thrillers now making waves in the streaming world.
‘Den of Thieves’ Plot Centers on a Gritty Los Angeles Heist
“Den of Thieves” follows the clash between elite law enforcement and a group of highly skilled criminals in Los Angeles. The narrative centers around Nick O’Brien, played by Gerard Butler, who is the relentless leader of the Regulators, a specialized squad within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He is pitted against Ray Merrimen, portrayed by Pablo Schreiber, a recently released convict leading the Outlaws—a crew comprised of ex-military members adept at evading capture.
The tension between O’Brien’s team and Merrimen’s gang escalates as both groups move toward an inevitable confrontation while the criminals plot a high-stakes raid targeting the city’s Federal Reserve Bank. The film’s official synopsis describes these events as:
“Nick O’Brien is the hard-drinking leader of the Regulators, an elite unit of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Ray Merrimen is the recently paroled leader of the Outlaws, a gang of ex-military men who use their expertise and tactical skills to evade the law. O’Brien, Merrimen and their crews soon find themselves on a direct collision course as the criminals hatch an elaborate plan for a seemingly impossible heist — the city’s Federal Reserve Bank.”
Mixed Critical Reception Marked the Film’s Initial Release
Upon release, “Den of Thieves” failed to secure the favor of critics, who often focused on what they saw as a lack of originality in the film’s approach to the heist genre. Although the movie found support among fans—many now regard it as one of Gerard Butler’s most underrated thrillers—critical reviews were unenthusiastic. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film earned a 42% approval rating from critics, compared to a more favorable 63% from audiences.
The consensus from review aggregator critics was summarized as follows:
Den of Thieves pays energetic homage to classic heist thrillers of the past; unfortunately, it never comes close to living up to its obvious inspirations.
A Look at Success, Sequel, and Streaming Impact
While the 2018 film outperformed its sequel “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,” which struggled at the box office, the original pulled in a global total of $80 million on a $30 million production budget. Domestic ticket sales contributed $45 million, with an additional $35 million coming from international markets.
The film’s cast, including Gerard Butler as “Big Nick” O’Brien and Pablo Schreiber as Ray Merrimen, delivered intense performances that contributed to the movie’s cult following among fans of action thrillers. Other popular Butler films such as “London Has Fallen” also see regular appearances among the top streaming titles, highlighting the Scottish actor’s lasting impact in the genre.
The Film’s Ongoing Legacy in the Digital Era
As “Den of Thieves” continues to draw a significant audience on Tubi, the renewed interest underscores Gerard Butler’s ability to anchor gripping stories centered on criminal conflicts, law enforcement, and high-stakes heists. With the film now recognized as a mainstay among streaming thrillers, both Butler and his co-stars—like Pablo Schreiber—are likely to benefit from this digital resurgence, potentially setting the stage for further projects and heightened appreciation for under-the-radar action films.
