Game of Throneswas a massive hit for HBO, running for eight seasons from 2011 to 2019. The series, which adapts the beloved book series by author George R. R. Martin, features an impressive cast of actors, many of whom are now best known for their work in the fantasy show. Most actors in theGame of Thronescast, however, also have a variety of other titles on their resumes outside the land of Westeros.
One of the most villainousGame of Thronescharacters, at least in later seasons, is Lena Headey’s Cersei Lannister. Though Headey has also appeared in other movies like300(2006),Pride and Prejudice and Zombies(2016), andGunpowder Milkshake(2021), it’s Cersei who remains one of her most iconic characters, and one of the most notorious TV villains in recent memory.Cersei isn’t Headey’s only despicable villain character, however, as the actor also starred in a 2012 sci-fi film as a truly deplorable individual.
Dredd Has Become A Streaming Hit
The 2012 Sci-Fi Has A Cult Classic Status
Dreddhas just appeared on a top-10 streaming chart 13 years after its release. Directed by Pete Travis with a script by Alex Garland, the film follows Karl Urban’s Judge Dredd, a cop with the power of judge, jury, and executioner, as he works with a trainee partner to bring order to a criminal-infested apartment building within a dystopian city.Headey stars in the film as Ma-Ma, a ruthless drug lord. Despite positive reviews from critics,Dreddwas a box office disappointment, grossing only $41 million worldwide, but it has since developed a cult following.
Why Dredd’s Mega-City One Survived Nuclear War (When the Rest of America Didn’t)
Judge Dredd’s Mega-City One is one of a few major cities that remained standing after the 2070 Atomic War, thanks to experimental defense tech.
New data fromFlixPatrolnow reveals thatDreddis finding renewed success on streaming.The sci-fi action movie ranks as the eighth most popular movie on the Max streaming service as of July 17, 2025, beating titles likeSpeed(1994) andNeighbors 2: Sorority Rising(2016).Dreddfalls behind other titles likeThe Accountant(2016) andYour Monster(2024), withGoodrich(2024) claiming the number one spot. Check out the full top 10 list below:
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Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
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Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising
Dreddis based on theJudge Dreddcomic strip by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquarra. It is the second movie adaptation following a poorly-received 1995 filmstarring Sylvester Stallone.
What Dredd’s Streaming Success Means For The Movie
Will Dredd 2 Happen?
Dreddwas made on an estimated budget of between $45 million and $50 million, meaning it may have been looking at a break-even point of at least $90 million. Clearly, the film fell far short of this goal and was a financial disappointment.Due to favorable reviews and positive sentiment from audiences, however, the film has taken on something of a cult status in the years since its release, winning viewers over with its graphic violence and stylish presentation. This cult status led tohopes for aDredd 2.
Though the film was a bomb at the box office,it was reportedly a strong performer on home entertainment platforms, meaning hopes for aDredd 2remained alive for quite some time. Urban is also now a much more widely-known name due to his starring role as part of thecast ofThe Boys. Still, unfortunately, even with the latest streaming success, it seems unlikely that aDreddsequel will actually happen due to just how poorly the 2012 film performed at the box office.
What It Would Take For Dredd 2 To Happen
A Sequel Would Need A Smaller Budget
For an action-packed sci-fi movie, a $50 million budget is fairly modest. This puts it firmly in the mid-budget movie space. IfDredd 2were to happen, though, it would have to be made for even less. The first movie wasn’t a major studio film, and the sequel likely wouldn’t be either.Any financiers that backed aDredd 2would need a reasonable expectation that they will make their money back, and considering the first film made just over $40 million, this means the budget probably wouldn’t exceed about $20 million.
The only problem with this is that it could be difficult to get a big-name director or star to sign on for a sequel to a film that was a notable failure.
Making a movie at a similar level to 2012’sDreddon a $20 million budget would be exceedingly challenging, and it would need even more limited locations and a more limited cast. Options to keep the budget a little higher, however, include bringing on board a big-name director or a big-name star. The only problem with this is that it could be difficult to get a big-name director or star to sign on for a sequel to a film that was a notable failure. Hence,Dredd 2remains unlikely.
Urban’s next big feature film will beMortal Kombat 2, in which he plays Johnny Cage. That film hits theaters on June 20, 2025.
Our Take On Dredd’s Streaming Success
Why It’s One To Watch
Though another take onDreddmay arrive eventually, it probably won’t be anytime soon. For now, though, it’s clear that audiences are enjoying revisiting the 2012 film on streaming, and there’s certainly lots to like. In keeping with Garland’s other work, which includes28 Days Later(2002) andCivil War(2024),Dreddfeatures a tight and efficient script, with some compelling sci-fi themes grounding the action. Visually,Dreddlooks different from other titles in its genre, boasting a bold color palette, some fun slo-mo sequences, and stylized action, all combining to make it not a movie to miss on streaming.
