Prime Video, and by extension, Amazon MGM Studios, have been able to curate the perfect blend when it comes to delivering on action movies. Earlier in the summer, the streamer released Heads of State on July 2, starring Idris Elba and John Cena in the lead roles, with even Prime Video alum and The Boys star Jack Quaid making a memorable appearance.. Since its debut, the film has drawn in more than 75 million viewers worldwide, establishing it as the fourth most-watched Amazon MGM Studios’ film of all time on Prime Video, according to a new report.
The performance of Heads of State continues a strong viewership performance for the streamer in recent times, with other movies such as Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans’ Christmas action comedy Red One drawing in 50 million views within days of its release and The Accountant 2, starring Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal, which garnered 80 million views within its first month. Heads of State’s performance is only bettered by Chris Pratt’s The Tomorrow War in number 3, The Accountant 2 in number 2, and Red One in number 1.
Who Are the Members of ‘Heads of State’s Creative Team?
Prior to earning its most recent accolade, Heads of State had stolen the top spot on Prime Video’s global viewership rankings from The Accountant 2, but has since relinquished that crown. The movie follows the President of the United States, played by Cena, and the British Prime Minister, played by Elba, who must evade capture after crash-landing in the middle of Europe. Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays a secret agent assigned to escort them to safety. Heads of State was directed by Ilya Naishuller while also starring, alongside the aforementioned cast members, Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, and Sarah Niles. The film is written by Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, and Harrison Query, with Peter Safran and John Rickard working as producers, while Marcus Viscidi, Appelbaum, Nemec, Cena and Elba executive produce.
Overall, the movie opened to mainly positive reviews, and currently holds a 70% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics’ consensus reads, “Heads of State’s lighthearted handling of geopolitics may be too cute by half, but the comedic alliance between Idris Elba and John Cena remains strong in this slick action flick.” At the moment, the action-comedy is viewed as a standalone film, but there are potential threads that can be pulled should a sequel become an option. While the fate of Marty Comer’s Jack, a station chief for a CIA safe house that ultimately offered help to both Cena and Elba’s characters, was intially uncertain. The credits rolling revealed he was alive and well. While speaking in another interview, director Naishuller revealed a willingness to return for the sequel, “if [people] watch the movie and enjoy it, and Amazon feels like it makes sense to do a second one, absolutely. I’d love to get more of Jack in there [and] more of Marty.”
Heads of State is available to stream on Prime Video, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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July 2, 2025
- Runtime
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113 minutes
- Director
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Ilya Naishuller
- Writers
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Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, Harrison Query
- Producers
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Idris Elba, John Rickard, Marcus Viscidi, Peter Safran