Netflix's Top 10 has not ranked any of the best movies in recent memory. The Christmas movie Our Little Secret and the worst movie of the year, Afraid (not worth adding to the watch list), attest to that. However, one war drama has surged into the streaming service's top 10, and its conflicting ratings are certainly interesting, to say the least.

“Midway” is the film in question, currently in seventh place as of this writing. While not a box office flop, the film's performance is often considered a “flop” in the industry. With a high production cost of approximately $100 million and lower-than-expected global box office returns, “Midway” struggled to make a lasting impact in theaters at the time of 2019. However, the war drama received much praise from viewers and may see further success now that it is streaming on Netflix.

So, if you saw this war drama on Netflix's top 10 list, you may be wondering if it is worth watching this week. Here's what you need to know about “Midway” and why viewers loved it...

“Midway” is a war drama directed by Roland Emmerich and based on the true story of the Battle of Midway, a pivotal naval battle during World War II, focusing on the strategic clash between the United States and Japan in June 1942, just six months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. [The film features many key figures involved in the battle, including Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle (Aaron Eckhart), who led the famous Doolittle Raid, and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz (Woody Harrelson), who played a key role in American strategy. The film also depicts the perspectives of the Japanese commanders, switching between the two sides of the conflict.

As tensions between the two sides rise, the U.S. Navy uses intelligence to predict the movements of the Japanese forces and set the stage for a decisive confrontation.

It is common for critics and audiences to disagree, but when it comes to war films, I am especially curious to know the reasons for such contrasting scores. Midway is a prime example, with a 42% critic score but an impressive 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Most of the criticism is attributed to its digital effects and uninteresting characters; RogerEbert's Odie Henderson says: The heavy use of CGI is one of the major problems with “Midway,” which makes watching it like watching a video game or F/X highlight reel Too often it feels like watching a video game or F/X highlight reel. Independent Clarice Lowry, on the other hand, says: “The faces are familiar, but they are half-hearted characters, placed on an arbitrary scale of machismo.”

The Wrap's William Bibbiani summed up other critics' reviews: but like many of Emmerich's films, even the better ones, “Midway” loses sight of the humanity in its vast landscape of devastation.

While these critiques are not positive, audiences perceive the film very differently. Some said, “If you enjoy action-packed war movies, it's entertaining overall. Others were more passionate: “The acting is excellent, the special effects are superb, and it truly captures the indomitable spirit of a great generation.”

One viewer also said: “One of the most historically accurate WW2 Pacific War films. Yes, the action scenes are Hollywood-esque, but there is plenty of up-to-date historical research. It is inexplicable that professional critics have rated it so low, but it is pleasing that user reviews have been so high."

The film has been well received by the public, with many viewers saying that ”it is a very good film.

The difference in these scores is often indicative of the unique ways in which war films resonate with audiences on an emotional level, while critics may focus more on technical execution and storytelling. Regardless, if you like action-packed war dramas, “Midway” may be the next one for you.

If you are a fan of thrilling war dramas with lots of intense action scenes and tense moments, “Midway” may be the movie for you this week. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the film's high attendance suggests that it resonated deeply with audiences who appreciated its emotional intensity and epic battle scenes.

It may not have lived up to expectations at the box office, but it may find new life on Netflix and surge to the No. 1 spot. If you're looking for a decent war movie, “Midway” is worth streaming.

Not keen on it; check out other new releases coming to Netflix in December 2024 or see what new movies to watch this week.

Stream “Midway” on Netflix.