Russell Crowe’s Nuremberg movie success is shaping up as a prominent story in the world of streaming releases, with the World War II drama emerging as a top performer on major VOD platforms following its theatrical run. Released on November 7 after a premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and made available for digital rental and purchase on December 23, Nuremberg currently sits among the best-selling films on both Amazon and the Apple TV store in the United States.
Crowe’s Legal Thriller Finds a Strong Audience on VOD
After landing on PVOD platforms, Nuremberg swiftly climbed the popularity charts, now ranking as the second most watched film on Amazon, just behind Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (2025), while overtaking new releases such as One Battle After Another (2025). Similarly, on the Apple TV store, Nuremberg outperforms Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (2025) but sits just below Wicked: For Good (2025). Both platforms reflect a marketplace dominated by new content, with Good Fortune (2025), The Long Walk (2025), and Edgar Wright’s The Running Man (2025) also securing spots in the top ten.
Audiences are also finding the movie on other studios’ storefronts, such as Fandango at Home and Google Play. The film dramatizes the aftermath of World War II by recounting the Nuremberg hearings, pivotal trials where Nazi leaders were held accountable for war crimes. Russell Crowe stars as Hermann Göring, bringing intensity to the role of Hitler’s close confidant, while Rami Malek portrays Douglas Kelley, a U.S. Army psychiatrist who develops a complicated connection with Crowe’s character.
Critical and Public Reception of Nuremberg
Nuremberg has been met with generally favorable opinions from both the public and critics, reinforcing Russell Crowe’s reputation for captivating performances. On Rotten Tomatoes, critic reviews result in a 72% score, but the film’s real strength lies with general audiences, achieving an impressive 96% Popcornmeter rating, reflecting widespread approval.
There is still a range of perspectives among professional reviewers. For example, not all critics were swayed by the film’s direction and character development. Gregory Nussen, a critic at ScreenRant, offered a more critical review, attributing a score of 3 out of 10 and providing a stark assessment of the film’s portrayal of historic figures:
“With Nuremberg, James Vanderbilt is less interested in showing Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe) as “normal,” as he is in accentuating Hitler’s right-hand man as a charming charlatan. But this intentionality is miscalculated, and the film, bloated as it is with jarring tonal changes and thickly laid-on sentimentality, tilts so far into humanizing Nazis that it seems, at times, to apologize for the behavior of the high command.”
– Gregory Nussen, Film Critic
Financial Results and Awards Perspective
In terms of box office performance, Nuremberg delivered notable commercial results, particularly given its moderate production budget reportedly between $7 million and $10 million. The film grossed nearly $29 million globally, suggesting it cleared its estimated break-even benchmark of $25 million and achieved solid profitability thanks to its robust VOD life.
Despite its popularity and positive viewership metrics, Nuremberg’s awards season prospects remain uncertain. Although the film has been shortlisted for Makeup and Hairstyling and Original Score at the upcoming Academy Awards, it is seen as an underdog for the Best Picture category, where One Battle After Another is widely considered a leading contender among voters and critics.
Impact on Russell Crowe’s Career and Future Projects
The success of Nuremberg highlights Russell Crowe’s enduring ability to captivate audiences, especially in challenging and dramatic roles. Looking ahead, Crowe is set to continue his prolific acting streak, with appearances due in films such as The Weight—a period adventure alongside Ethan Hawke—and the action movie Bear Country. The anticipation for these titles reflects Crowe’s continued relevance and audience appeal, though it remains to be seen whether these future projects will replicate the streaming and critical accomplishments of Nuremberg.
While Crowe leads a cast that includes Rami Malek as Douglas Kelley, the film also stands as a testament to the enduring interest in stories centered around World War II, the Nuremberg trials, and high-profile historical figures like Hermann Göring. Directed by James Vanderbilt, this portrayal of the notorious hearings has generated significant discussion and keeps the film in the spotlight within the global conversation about history, justice, and cinema.
