Ben Affleck's Sci-Fi Flop 'Paycheck' Tops Streaming Charts 20 Years Later

Ben Affleck's 2003 sci-fi thriller 'Paycheck,' which was a critical and commercial disappointment upon release, is experiencing a surprising resurgence on streaming platforms. The film, directed by John Woo and based on a Philip K. Dick short story, stars Affleck as a reverse engineer who has his memory erased after completing a secret project, only to find himself framed for a crime he didn't commit. Despite a star-studded cast including Uma Thurman and Aaron Eckhart, 'Paycheck' earned just $53.8 million domestically against a $60 million budget and holds a 27% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Now, two decades later, the movie has climbed into the top 10 on Paramount+, according to recent streaming data. This unexpected comeback highlights how streaming libraries can breathe new life into forgotten films, as viewers discover or revisit titles that were overlooked in theaters. For Affleck, it's another reminder of his enduring star power, even in projects that initially missed the mark.