Fourteen Years Later, ‘Prometheus’ is No1
Fourteen Years Later, ‘Prometheus’ Finally Finds Its Audience: Ridley Scott’s Sci-Fi Epic Claims #1 Spot on Netflix
LOS ANGELES — It appears that time is the ultimate filter for "elevated horror." Ridley Scott’s 2012 sci-fi epic, Prometheus, has unexpectedly surged to the #1 spot on Netflix’s global movie charts, nearly 14 years after its divisive theatrical debut.
According to data from FlixPatrol, the film has dominated streaming traffic in over 20 countries since being added to international catalogs last week. From the Nordic regions to the Middle East, the prequel that once "confused" audiences is now being heralded as a misunderstood masterpiece by a new generation of viewers.
A Global Chart-Topper
The film’s resurgence is particularly strong in Europe and the Middle East. As of 23rd February 2026, Prometheus holds the top spot in:
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The Nordic Bloc: #1 in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland.
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The Middle East: #1 in the UAE, Egypt, Israel, Qatar, and Bahrain.
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Europe: #1 in Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Poland, and Romania.
Even in its filming locations, like Iceland (where the iconic opening waterfall sequence was shot), the movie has clawed its way back to the top, proving that the visual grandeur Scott achieved in 2012 remains unmatched by modern standards.
Why Now? The "Romulus" Effect
Industry analysts point to the recent success of the broader Alien franchise as the primary catalyst. Following the 2024 theatrical hit Alien: Romulus and the critical acclaim of last year’s television series Alien: Earth, curiosity about the "Engineer" lore has hit an all-time high.
“When Prometheus first came out, it buckled under the weight of being an ‘Alien’ prequel,” noted one film critic for Collider. “But in 2026, stripped of those immediate expectations, people are realizing it’s a gorgeous, Lovecraftian exploration of human hubris that stands remarkably well on its own.”
The "Unnerving" Appeal of Michael Fassbender
Social media has played a major role in the revival, with Michael Fassbender’s performance as the android David becoming a focal point for the film's second life. Scenes of the "unnervingly calm" AI—particularly his interactions with the ship’s systems and his morally ambiguous curiosity, have gone viral on TikTok and X, introducing the film to a younger Gen Z demographic who missed the initial 2012 hype.
The cast, which also includes Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, and Idris Elba, is being praised by new fans for its "unmatched pedigree" for a genre blockbuster.
The Future of the Prequel Arc
The sudden dominance of Prometheus has reignited whispers in Hollywood regarding the "missing" third chapter of Scott’s prequel trilogy. While Alien: Covenant (2017) served as a bridge, Scott has long expressed interest in a direct follow-up that explores the Engineers’ homeworld further.
With Netflix data proving that a massive global audience is now "engaged with the brain" as much as the "adrenal gland," 20th Century Studios may find themselves facing renewed pressure to let Scott finish the story he started on the distant moon of LV-223.
