'The Matrix' Creators' Dystopian Thriller 'V for Vendetta' Returns to Global Streaming Charts

Of all the great movies of 1999, one of the most important and subsequently influential is 'The Matrix.' The sci-fi phenomenon by Lana and Lilly Wachowski proved to audiences that blockbusters of this intricacy could be as popcorn-worthy as the major summer releases, as well as altering an action choreography style for an entire generation of filmmakers, which might've eventually become tiresome, but nothing should take away from the original.

The Wachowskis' undeniable magnum opus, 'The Matrix' isn't the only masterpiece the duo has had a major impact on. In 2005, they wrote the screenplay for the dystopian thriller 'V for Vendetta,' which was based on Alan Moore and David Lloyd's graphic novel of the same name. Starring Hugo Weaving as a vigilante known only as V, the film transports audiences to an eerily threatening world where the City of London is occupied by a fascist government, with V and his new ally, Evey (Natalie Portman), fighting the oppressors.

Also starring the likes of Stephen Rea as Inspector Eric, Stephen Fry as Gordon, John Hurt as Adam, and Tim Pigott-Smith as Peter, this thrilling tale caught the attention of both critics and audiences, earning widespread praise from the former and a quietly strong box office run, courtesy of the latter. In total, the movie made more than $130 million worldwide, against a production budget of roughly $50 million. Two decades later, the movie is a hit again. At the time of writing, 'V for Vendetta' is one of the ten most-streamed movies on HBO Max in the world.

What Else Is Popular on HBO Max?

'V for Vendetta' currently ranks in seventh place on the HBO Max top ten, outperforming the tenth-placed 'A Perfect Getaway,' the Tom Holland-led video game adaptation 'Uncharted' in ninth, and Mark Wahlberg's crime thriller 'Play Dirty' in eighth. But what ranks higher than 'V for Vendetta'? The Canadian survival horror 'Hunter Hunter' is at #6, James McAvoy's twisted horror remake 'Speak No Evil' is at #5, and the Spanish drama 'Sundays' is at #4. The cult-classic comedy 'Superbad' is at #3, the viral thriller 'Contagion' is at #2, and the 2026 horror gem 'Evil Dead Burn' tops the charts.