Netflix just added this forgotten action movie with Liam Neeson and Bradley Cooper — and it's already crashed the top 10

Liam Neeson and Bradley Cooper in "The A-Team"
(Image credit: Twentieth Century Fox/Cinematic/Alamy)

Back in 2010, Joe Carnahan assembled a crew of top stars for a movie reboot of a classic 1980s action/adventure TV series, and right now, that very same reboot is one of the most popular movies on Netflix in the United States, just a couple of days after it first came to the streaming service.

That movie in question is Carnahan's "The A-Team" reboot, which cast Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copley and Quinton Jackson as a new version of the titular team as the elite operatives set out on a daring new mission. It was recently added to Netflix on Thursday, October 16; as of today (Monday, October 20), it's sitting in seventh place in Netflix's Top 10 movies list.

If you'd spotted "The A-Team" movie in the streamer's charts and were trying to decide whether to stream "The A-Team" on Netflix, here's a little more info about the action-comedy, plus a round-up of what critics had to say about this divisive watch.

What is 'The A-Team' about?

A-Team | Official Teaser Trailer (HD) | 20th Century FOX - YouTube A-Team | Official Teaser Trailer (HD) | 20th Century FOX - YouTube
Watch On

This modern "A-Team" movie sees the four members of an elite Special Forces team — John "Hannibal" Smith (Liam Neeson), Templeton "Face" Peck (Bradley Cooper), Bosco "B.A." Baracus (Quinton Jackson) and H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock (Sharlto Copley) — heading off on a new adventure.

After being framed and put away for a crime they didn't commit, the group goes rogue, breaking out of prison and putting their unique skills to use trying to find the people who framed them.

"The A-Team" also features Jessica Biel, Patrick Wilson, Gerald McRaney, Henry Czerny, Yul Vazquez and Brian Bloom, and features original "A-Team" actors Dirk Benedict and Dwight Schultz in cameo appearances.

Should you stream 'The A-Team' on Netflix?

L-R: Bradley Cooper, Quinton Jackson, Sharlto Copley and Liam Neeson pose in a promotional still for "The A-Team" (2010)

(Image credit: Entertainment Pictures/Twentieth Century Fox/Alamy)

"The A-Team" movie probably didn't have the impact that everyone involved necessarily wanted; it didn't break the box office, and it's not a downright hit with critics or fans, either.

At the time of writing, it's sitting at 48% on Rotten Tomatoes, though the Popcornmeter audience score skews more positive (66%), with a consensus that reads: "The A-Team" assembles a top-rate cast only to ditch the show's appealingly silly premise for explosive yet muddled blockbuster filmmaking."

Reviewing for Rolling Stone, critic Peter Travers gave it a 2.5-star rating, saying "The A-Team" was "big, loud, ludicrous and edited into visual incomprehension," adding "pity the fool who lets that stand in the way of enjoying 'The A-Team'.

Empire's Nev Pierce, meanwhile, offered a 3-star verdict, writing: "if you make the mistake of engaging your brain, you could fly, say, a tank through the plot holes [...] But at least you know what you’re paying for: something as big on spectacle as it is short on sense."

L-R: Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copley, Liam Nesson and Quinton Jackson run from an explosion in "The A-Team" (2010)

(Image credit: Cinematic/Twentieth Century Fox/Alamy)

Other critics weren't nearly as kind; for THR, Kirk Honeycutt said "The A-Team" 'seems nearly writer-free,' criticizing it for lacking plot or character development, writing: "For all the firepower in any sequence, none of the heroes gets more than a bump on the head or clothes that need cleaning. Yes, a writer would only gum things up with suspense and character."

In my opinion, it could be worth a watch if you fancy some throwaway thrills. "The A-Team" is okay fun, though don't expect to have your socks blown off by this mindless action comedy. It boasts explosive action, sure, but it's totally overblown, silly stuff. "The A-Team" has nothing else to offer other than spectacle and dumb banter, and I highly doubt it's about to become a favorite of anyone checking it out for the very first time.

Not sold on streaming "The A-Team" on Netflix? We can still help you find your next watch. Check out our round-up of the best Netflix action movies or our definitive guide to the best movies on Netflix for tons more top streaming recommendations perfect for your next movie night.


Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

More from Tom's Guide

Staff Writer, Streaming

Martin is a Streaming Writer at Tom’s Guide, covering all things movies and TV. If it’s in the theaters or available to stream somewhere, he’s probably watched it… especially if it has a dragon in it. Before joining the team, he was a Staff Writer at What To Watch where he wrote about a broad range of shows that stretched from "Doctor Who" and "The Witcher" to "Bridgerton" and "Love Island". When he’s not watching the next must-see movie or show, he’s probably still in front of a screen playing massive RPGs, reading, spending a fortune on TCGs, or watching the NFL.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.