A recent Netflix addition has beaten a hugely popular Christmas rom-com in its top 10 film rankings
Lucas Hill-Paul Content Editor
13:31, 19 Dec 2025
‘Nonsensical’ summer thriller beats Christmas classic in Netflix rankings(Image: GETTY)
A cult thriller from 2005 featuring a beloved late actor has been climbing Netflix’s charts since its recent arrival on the platform.
The sun-soaked action adventure, starring Paul Walker and Jessica Alba, has secured the eighth position on the streaming giant’s top 10 film rankings.
Remarkably, it’s outperformed festive favourite The Holiday with Christmas just days away, despite being one of Netflix’s more summery selections.
Into the Blue delivers an abundance of swimwear, sunken treasure and high-octane pursuits against the stunning backdrop of the Bahamas coastline.
Walker and Alba portray Jared and Sam, a couple living humbly in a caravan whilst harbouring aspirations of a more luxurious lifestyle, reports the Mirror.
A couple strikes gold when they discover a legendary shipwreck(Image: 20TH CENTURY FOX)READ MORE: Netflix series hailed a ‘masterpiece’ and ‘perfection’READ MORE: Peaky Blinders star’s ‘fantastic’ new crime thriller now streaming
Their fortunes appear to change when they stumble upon the remains of a fabled pirate vessel in treacherous, shark-filled waters, believing they’ve struck gold—until a ruthless criminal gang learns of their find.
The film also features Josh Brolin, known for his roles in Marvel blockbusters and Dune, and whilst this gripping thriller didn’t initially win over reviewers, it’s clearly enjoying renewed popularity on streaming as Netflix subscribers embrace the slick and sultry adventure.
One enthusiastic five-star Letterboxd review declared: “undervalued cinema alert: this totally works. hype williams’ belly (in the bahamas) meets surfer sicario (josh brolin included) meets your favorite nat geo ocean documentary meets national treasure (sunken, not buried).
“Except instead of nicolas cage and diane kruger in stuffy underground tunnels, it’s paul walker and jessica alba in swimsuits with beach fires and sunsets and mostly underwater. probably a contender for the best film of 2005. needs imax re-release asap.”
Into the Blue has become a surprise hit on Netflix 20 years after its release(Image: 20TH CENTURY FOX)
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Another viewer enthused: “Amazing movie. The cinematography is beautiful. Makes you want to go to the beach and never leave. RIP Paul, you were the man.”
One admirer confessed the film was a guilty pleasure, saying: “Ok yes this is an objectively bad film. The plot is nonsensical, the acting atrocious, it’s overlong and meandering; but that’s what makes it great?
“From a purely visual standpoint this rules. Beautiful ocean and marine life in abundance. Also beautiful people. And these people sure do love the water.”
Someone else concurred: “Not an objectively good film but perfect B-movie and a personal favorite. Beautiful people in an exotic location diving for treasures while avoiding criminals. What’s not to like?
The iconic Paul Walker thriller is streaming on Netflix(Image: 20TH CENTURY FOX)
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“No one in this can act aside from Josh Brolin, bro Scott Caan is highly irritating, but the sight of Jessica Alba will make you believe in God. I can’t breathe whenever she’s on screen.
“Way better than people give it credit for,” another supporter insisted.
“Real sharks, beautiful underwater cinematography, tense plotting and great fun all around.”
Whilst one final devotee simply branded Into the Blue an “underrated masterpiece”. Do you share their view? Stream it on Netflix to makeup your own mind.
Into the Blue is available to stream on Netflix.
