Back in 2023,
Two movies from an obscure film series made it onto Netflix’s Top 10 list.
“Sheriff: Marksman’s Destiny” and “Sheriff: Final Shot.” These films represent only a fraction of an extensive series that started back in 1993 with “Sheriff,” a Tom Berenger-starring action movie that spawned a vast direct-to-video empire comprising 11 installments. Despite Berenger leaving after the third film, Sony has continued to produce “Sheriff” movies at a remarkable pace since then.
In “Sniper,” Berenger portrayed Master Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Beckett, a top-notch marksman who loses his partner Doug Papich (played by Aden Young) during a mission in Panama. Papich is succeeded by another sniper named Richard Miller (portrayed by Billy Zane), who ranks above Beckett yet lacks the extensive practical knowledge possessed by his subordinate. These two must collaborate as they undertake a task to eliminate Panamanian insurgent leader Miguel Alvarez (acted by Frederick Miragliotta). Since then, the “Sniper” series evolved into something quite different from the initial movie, which received moderate reception and generated approximately only modest box office success.
$18 million
at the box office. Chad Michael Collins took over for the fourth movie, “Sniper: Reloaded,” playing Beckett’s estranged son, Gunnery Sergeant Brandon Beckett, and became the new face of the “Sniper” saga. He has been with the franchise ever since, representing a constant for the series as it has shifted tone multiple times and even seen Berenger return for several sequels.
If you’re curious about these flicks or simply puzzled by them, check out this lineup of “Sniper” movies: “Sniper” from 1993, “Sniper 2” released in 2002, “Sniper 3” which came out in 2004, “Sniper: Reloaded” in 2011, “Sniper: Legacy” from 2014, “Sniper: Ghost Shooter” made in 2016, “Sniper: Ultimate Kill” appearing in 2017, “Sniper: Assassin’s End” hitting theaters in 2020, “Sniper: Rogue Mission” dropping in 2022, “Sniper: G.R.I.T. – Global Response & Intelligence Team,” set for release in 2023, and finally “Sniper: The Last Stand” scheduled for 2025.
After the prior successes of “Sniper: Assassin’s End” and “Sniper: Ultimate Kill” on Netflix,
The supremacy of Clint Eastwood’s contentious film about a sniper, “American Sniper,” on Netflix.
This year, “Sniper: The Last Stand” has emerged as another streaming success, climbing the Netflix rankings with the number one position firmly in its sights.
Read more:
5 Reasons Why Megalopolis Flopped At The Box Office
Sniper: The Final Stand Aims for Top Spot on Netflix Rankings
Given that there are 11 “Sniper” films available, the series may appear somewhat intimidating for new viewers. However, since there are neither direct sequels nor prequels, and only one soft reboot titled “Sniper:Reloaded,”
The optimal method to view the “Sniper” movies is through streaming services or purchasing DVDs/Blu-rays.
Indeed, it’s simply a direct viewing of all 11 installations. If you’re thinking about diving into this not-so-well-known action series, now could be an opportune moment as the newest addition has recently landed on Netflix and is quickly gaining popularity.
In “Sniper: The Last Stand,” Brandon Becket, played by Chad Michael Collins, must stop an arms dealer (Arnold Vosloo) from unleashing a devastating superweapon. Fortunately for him, Agent Zero (Ryan Robbins) lends support. Together, they are sent to Costa Verde to join forces with a team of skilled soldiers battling a local militia in their quest to find the arms dealer and neutralize his dangerous device. On top of this challenge, Becket also mentors a novice sniper.
That all seems to be a perfect formula for Netflix success. “Sniper: The Last Stand” hit the streamer on May 6, 2025 and according to
FlixPatrol
A website that monitors viewing statistics across various streaming services quickly gained popularity domestically. The movie ranked as the second-most watched production in the U.S. on May 7, 2025, indicating it could potentially rise to the top spot over the course of the week.
Is ‘Sniper: The Last Stand’ Worth Watching?
When this was written, “Sniper: The Last Stand” had only two reviews available.
Rotten Tomatoes
, none of which come from what some call “top critics.” Nevertheless, these two critiques are favorable. However, this doesn’t mean the Tomatometer has generated an aggregate score just yet. Keep in mind that the “Sniper” series is primarily designed for online viewing platforms. Although the franchise started way back in 1993, it essentially turned into the definitive Netflix action sequence long before Netflix was around, thanks to several direct-to-DVD releases that now fit perfectly within the realm of the leading streaming service. Therefore, do not anticipate highbrow action film production values in “Sniper: The Last Stand.”
This isn’t meant to criticize the movies. It’s clear that the actors are committed to the series, especially Chad Michael Collins, who puts tremendous effort into each film. As Nick Rogers from the Midwest Film Journal notes in one of the rare reviews for “The Last Stand,” “While there are evident challenges and constraints due to the production’s limited budget, the ‘Sniper’ franchise has established a consistent—and notably women-focused—formula over its third decade.”
Whether that will be enough for the 11th movie in the series to claim the number one spot on the U.S. most-watched films chart remains to be seen. In order to do so, “The Last Stand” will have to snipe
German thriller “Exterritorial” from the top spot, which previously dethroned Tom Hardy’s “Havoc.”
“The Last Stand” is also being chased by the first “Twilight” movie in the number three position, which remains
the best of the “Twilight” saga
And undoubtedly, one of the toughest adversaries Brandon Beckett will ever encounter.
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