Get ready for a heavy-hitting addition to your watchlist. Netflix is teaming up with Lionsgate for a high-octane sci-fi thriller titled War Machine, starring Alan Ritchson, who has been on an absolute tear lately. Between “Reacher” and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Ritchson is basically the go-to guy for modern action, and this new project looks to cement that status.
A Creative Powerhouse
The movie is directed by Patrick Hughes, the mind behind popcorn hits like The Hitman’s Bodyguard and The Expendables 3. Hughes also co-wrote the script with James Beaufort. If those names sound familiar, it’s because the duo is also busy developing Netflix’s upcoming remake of the martial arts masterpiece, The Raid.
A Confusing Title?
In a bit of a “glitch in the matrix” moment, Netflix already has an original movie called War Machine (the 2017 satire starring Brad Pitt). Despite the overlap, the streamer is keeping the title for this new sci-fi film.
What’s the Story?
The grueling final hours of the world’s most brutal Army Ranger selection take a terrifying turn. For a group of elite recruits, a routine training exercise becomes a desperate fight for survival when they encounter a deadly extraterrestrial threat that defies imagination. Think elite soldiers meet sci-fi horror. Given Hughes’ background, expect plenty of explosions mixed with some otherworldly stakes.
The Heavy-Hitting Cast
Ritchson isn’t going into battle alone. The ensemble cast features a mix of veteran talent and rising stars, including Dennis Quaid and Esai Morales (Mission: Impossible), who take charge as the commanding officers. Joining Ritchson in the trenches are Stephan James, Jai Courtney, Keiynan Lonsdale, Blake Richardson, and Daniel Webber.
The supporting cast also includes Jake Ryan, Heather Burridge, and Christopher Kirby, all of whom play fellow recruits identified only by their candidate numbers.
Coming Soon
Filming wrapped late last year, and the movie is currently in post-production to polish the sci-fi effects. War Machine will skip the theaters and head straight to your living room via Netflix on Friday, March 6, 2026. As if the trailer wasn’t already exciting enough, Netflix has also released a “look inside” the movie. Watch it below.
