Netflix’s War Machine Tops Global Film Rankings for First Half of 2026
Australian-made content has delivered a strong showing in Netflix’s latest engagement report, with the Victoria-shot action film War Machine ranking as the platform’s most-watched film worldwide for the first half of 2026.
The film recorded 146.9 million views and 266.8 million hours watched following its March 6 debut.
Directed by Australian filmmaker Patrick Hughes, War Machine is the first project from Australian production company Huge Film, founded by Hughes, James Beaufort and Greg McLean in 2022. The production was filmed in Victoria and qualified for Australia’s Producer Offset.
The film stars Alan Ritchson, Dennis Quaid, Stephan James and Esai Morales, alongside Australian actors Jai Courtney, Blake Richardson, Keiynan Lonsdale and Daniel Webber.
Other films produced in Australia also featured prominently in Netflix’s global rankings. The NSW-shot Apex attracted 129 million views, while the Victoria-shot Thrash recorded 100 million views. Together with War Machine, the three titles placed among Netflix’s 10 most-watched films worldwide during the reporting period.
Australian talent and productions were also represented across Netflix’s series rankings. Sydney-based Glitch Productions’ The Amazing Digital Circus was the most-watched Australian series, with its first season attracting 10.4 million views.
Season three of Heartbreak High, produced by Fremantle Australia and NewBe, was the most-watched Netflix ANZ Original, recording 6.9 million views following its March premiere. Earlier seasons of the series also continued to attract audiences.
Australian children’s content maintained a strong presence, including The InBESTigators, produced by Gristmill, and Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance. Other locally connected titles attracting audiences included The Survivors, H2O: Just Add Water and Playing Gracie Darling.
Among films, Australian titles including Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Interceptor, You, Always, A Second Chance: Rivals!, Bring Her Back and True Spirit also recorded significant viewing figures.
Netflix reported 97 billion viewing hours across its catalogue between January and June 2026, its highest total for a six-month period.
The results highlight the global reach of productions filmed in Australia and the contribution of Australian producers, directors, performers and screen businesses to Netflix’s worldwide catalogue.
Source: IF
