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Streaming success and reception of Apple TV+ film Mayday

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2026-09-28 10:52 UTC → 2026-09-29 18:14 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Following its September 4, 2026, premiere on Apple TV+, the Cold War action-comedy ‘Mayday’ has seen a divergence between critical and audience reception. While critics have maintained positive sentiment, the film has debuted to a divided response from viewers, earning a 66% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes compared to its 81% critic score. Despite the mixed audience reaction, the film directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein has achieved significant global streaming success. It topped Variety’s streaming movie chart for its first full week, with Luminate estimating 955.1 million minutes watched between September 4 and September 10. As of late September, the film has remained the number one movie worldwide on Apple TV for 20 consecutive days. Recent reports indicate the film has become the platform’s “biggest movie premiere.” Critical praise has centered on the film’s “genre-defying blend of buddy comedy, action-adventure, and survival thriller.” The plot follows Lieutenant Troy ‘Assassin’ Kelly, a U.S. Navy pilot played by Ryan Reynolds, who is stranded in the Russian wilderness after a mission implodes. He is rescued by Nikolai ‘Nick’ Ustinov, a former KGB agent portrayed by Kenneth Branagh. The duo must navigate enemy territory to reach the U.S. embassy in Moscow. The production has also been noted for its “1980s throwback style,” utilizing an era-appropriate soundtrack. During the Toronto International Film Festival, Branagh discussed the emotional depth of his character, noting that themes of loneliness and guilt underpin the film’s humor. This follows earlier reports regarding Branagh’s intensive physical preparation for the role, which included three weeks of stunt training to accommodate the directors’ preference for wide shots and minimal digital effects.

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