Forget ‘Indiana Jones,’ Nicolas Cage’s Adventure Hit Is a Streaming Smash on Hulu
Entertainment site Collider reports that Nicolas Cage's 2004 action-adventure National Treasure has re-entered the streaming charts, ranking among the most-watched films on Hulu in the United States. The piece frames the film as Cage's answer to the Indiana Jones franchise and part of a wider run of streaming success for the actor, who has also drawn attention for his central role in the Spider-Verse spin-off series Spider-Noir.
In National Treasure, Cage plays historian and code-breaker Benjamin Gates, who races to find a treasure hidden by America's Founding Fathers while pursued by crime boss Ian Howe, played by Sean Bean, after being double-crossed. Although the film was poorly received by critics, it proved a hit with audiences during a six-month theatrical run, earning roughly $331 million worldwide against a reported $100 million budget — $173 million domestically and $158 million overseas. More than two decades on, its renewed streaming popularity underlines Cage's enduring appeal.
In short
- National Treasure is back among Hulu's most-watched films in the US.
- The 2004 hit earned $331 million worldwide despite poor reviews.
- Cage is enjoying wider streaming success, including Spider-Noir.
Explained simply
National Treasure is a 2004 action-adventure film in which Nicolas Cage plays Benjamin Gates, a historian and code-breaker hunting for a treasure hidden by America's Founding Fathers. The film also stars Sean Bean as a crime boss who pursues Cage's character throughout the adventure.
Critics were not kind to National Treasure upon its release, but audiences responded to it much more positively. The film earned approximately $331 million at the worldwide box office against a $100 million budget, demonstrating that viewers found it significantly more entertaining than professional reviewers did.
The film's strong performance at the box office demonstrated Cage's appeal to audiences in the action-adventure genre. This appeal has endured throughout his career spanning decades, which explains the ongoing interest in his work across different formats and platforms.
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