Initially, streaming platforms were regarded as a cost-effective substitute for traditional cinematic experiences. Consequently, films debuting directly on over-the-top (OTT) services tended to be less grand in scale and often lacked major star power. However, this landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, with prominent directors now featuring A-list actors in high-budget productions for smaller screens. Nonetheless, not every endeavor has met expectations, as evidenced by Netflix's most costly film.

Netflix's most expensive film ever

The Russo Brothers, renowned for their work on Avengers: Endgame and Citadel, are recognized for their commitment to grandiosity. Their productions consistently feature large-scale narratives and substantial budgets. They pioneered the $200 million film on Netflix with The Gray Man, and in 2025, they surpassed their previous achievement with The Electric State. This film, which reportedly has a budget of $320 million according to Deadline, holds the record as the most expensive original film produced by Netflix. Featuring Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown, this dystopian action film has been positioned as the streaming service's flagship release for the current quarter.

You may wonder about the cost of The Electric State. It ranks as the 13th most expensive film ever produced, trailing behind monumental titles such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($447 million), Fast X ($379 million), and Avengers: Endgame ($356 million), among others. Nevertheless, The Electric State's production budget exceeds that of several major blockbusters, including Justice League ($300 million), Gladiator II ($250 million), Avatar ($237 million), and The Avengers ($220 million).

The debacle that was The Electric State

Challenges emerged for The Electric State during its pre-production stage. In 2020, two years after the Russo brothers secured the rights to Simon Stålenhag's illustrated novel from 2018, Universal Pictures obtained the distribution rights. However, two years later, Universal withdrew from the project, leading to Netflix taking over.

Upon its release, the film faced a barrage of negative reviews and poor word-of-mouth, struggling not only to attract viewers but also to maintain their interest. It currently holds a 14% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. The Vulture described the film as a "$320 million piece of junk," while ScreenRant criticized it as "somewhat detrimental to the cultural concept we refer to as 'The Movies'." Business Insider characterized the film's outcome as a 'dumb, unfunny $320 million flop.'

The Electric State features performances by Ke Huy Quan, Stanley Tucci, Woody Norman, and Giancarlo Esposito, alongside voice contributions from Anthony Mackie, Woody Harrelson, Brian Cox, and Hank Azaria, among others. The film is available for streaming on Netflix.

Read Also: Seruppugal Jaakirathai on OTT: Release Date, Plot & More

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!