Divisive Tearjerker War Movie With 37% RT Score Becomes International Netflix Success

A divisive tearjerker war movie that holds only a 37% on Rotten Tomatoes becomes a surprise international success on Netflix. There are plenty of war movies that have been made over the decades which evoke deep emotion. This is because of their approach to the real horrors of warfare, alongside the human toll that war can take.

One movie that approaches this uniquely is Max. The 2015 film follows a Belgian Malinois military dog of the same name who is injured in an explosion that kills his handler, Kyle Wincott. The dog is adopted by Kyle’s family, who raise him while grappling with their grief. The film scored negative reviews from critics, but earned positive audience reception.

Now, FlixPatrol reports that Max has become a global streaming success on Netflix. The dog-focused war movie sits at Number 4 worldwide on the platform as of January 26, 2026. It’s also Number 1 in eight countries, those being Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Salvador, emphasizing a global interest in the movie’s streaming release.

Max is not available for streaming in the US, with the dog movie currently available on Tubi free with ads, or on MGM+ with a monthly subscription. This means the film’s success comes entirely from its release and availability in international territories. Given how high it managed to get on Netflix’s global Top 10, its popularity is impressive.

Even though the movie didn’t earn high marks from critics, who were disappointed in a story many believed to be emotionally manipulative, the majority of audience members enjoyed the movie. Max has a 70% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes, with many praising the acting from stars like Josh Wiggin and Thomas Haden Church, alongside a heartfelt storyline.

The movie was a lukewarm box office success as well, earning $44 million against a $20 million budget. This spawned a family-friendly, direct-to-video sequel, titled Max 2: White House Hero. However, the first movie is a heavier watch, dealing with themes of loss and post-war trauma through the lens of a dog as a connection to a lost loved one.

Given how popular Max has become globally on Netflix, it sounds like its success in international territories could continue into the near future. There’s no telling how long the film will continue to dominate the streaming service, but it’s possible it can keep up the momentum given how much it appears to be resonating worldwide.