Gal Gadot has once again proven her star power with the impressive streaming success of Netflix’s spy thriller Heart of Stone, setting a promising stage for the potential sequel to another blockbuster franchise on the platform. Despite mixed critical reviews, Heart of Stone dominated Netflix viewership in the second half of 2023, marking a major win for both Gadot and the streaming giant.
Between July and December 2023, Heart of Stone secured its position as the second-most watched movie on Netflix. The film’s gripping storyline centers on intelligence operative Rachel Stone, portrayed by Gadot, who races against time to thwart a hacker targeting a clandestine global diplomatic agency. Released on August 11, 2023, the movie received a modest 30% score on Rotten Tomatoes, yet its audience engagement told a different story. Garnering nearly 110 million views and an astonishing 228 million hours watched during the six-month window, Heart of Stone’s popularity rivaled top-tier titles, only trailing behind the apocalyptic thriller Leave the World Behind, which amassed 121 million views and over 286 million hours viewed.
This data, sourced directly from Netflix’s engagement report, reveals that these two films were the only ones to surpass 200 million viewing hours in that period, underscoring the massive appeal of high-stakes thrillers led by charismatic stars like Gadot.
The film’s ensemble cast, including Jamie Dornan, Alia Bhatt, Jing Lusi, and Paul Reedy, added depth to the high-octane narrative, yet it’s Gadot’s commanding performance that drove the viewership. The Netflix success of Heart of Stone is particularly significant when viewed alongside Gadot’s existing Netflix franchise, Red Notice. That movie remains Netflix’s most-watched original film ever, with an unprecedented 239 million views. Gadot’s ability to draw viewers, even when critical reception is lukewarm, highlights her invaluable status in the streaming world.
Other popular Netflix films in the same timeframe include Leo (96 million views), Nowhere (86.2 million views), and The Out-Laws (83.8 million views), but none matched the colossal engagement figures of Heart of Stone or Leave the World Behind.
With Heart of Stone becoming a cornerstone of Netflix’s film lineup, the prospects for a sequel look increasingly bright. Netflix has yet to announce an official follow-up, but given the film’s popularity, it would be surprising if the streaming service didn’t expand this lucrative franchise. Financially, Netflix has already demonstrated its willingness to invest in Gadot’s projects — she earned over $20 million for Red Notice alongside co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne Johnson. While her reported $5 million paycheck for Heart of Stone was substantial, a sequel would likely command an even larger budget, reflecting her rising star and the film’s commercial success.
The triumph of Heart of Stone also enhances expectations for Red Notice 2, reinforcing the idea that movies starring Gadot consistently perform exceptionally well on Netflix. Despite some setbacks such as delayed production schedules and rumored tensions between co-stars, Netflix remains committed to continuing the Red Notice saga, with two sequels planned. These upcoming projects are poised to generate significant revenue and further cement Gadot’s partnership with Netflix.
Beyond streaming, 2023 was a busy year for Gadot in the action genre. She appeared as Gisele in Fast X and made an uncredited cameo as Wonder Woman in The Flash, reinforcing her ongoing presence in major franchises. Looking ahead, Gadot is set to take on a rare antagonist role as the Evil Queen in the live-action Snow White adaptation scheduled for 2025. She will also star in Hand of Dante, an ensemble film featuring acclaimed actors such as Al Pacino, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Gerard Butler, and John Malkovich, while reprising her role as The Bishop in Red Notice 2.
Despite these ambitious plans, production on Red Notice 2 has been delayed, primarily due to industry-wide disruptions from the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes. Reports of off-screen disputes between Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds may have further complicated the timeline. Nevertheless, Netflix’s commitment to these sequels underscores their confidence in the franchise’s profitability and Gadot’s enduring appeal.
Gal Gadot’s consistent ability to draw massive audiences makes her one of Netflix’s most valuable assets. The success of Heart of Stone not only validates her star power but also signals a lucrative future for action-packed, high-profile projects on the platform. As Netflix continues to invest in this proven formula, fans can anticipate more thrilling adventures featuring Gadot, solidifying her status as a streaming powerhouse.
