Okay, let me tell you, Will Ferrell has done it again. His new Netflix series, The Hawk, shot straight to number one in the US, and that’s despite the critics – including myself – not exactly showering it with praise. It’s a comedy about a pro golfer, Lonnie Hawkins, played by Ferrell, and it’s fascinating because Will wasn’t just the star – he created the whole thing. This is his first time as showrunner, and clearly, audiences are tuning in droves, even if most of us in the reviewing business don’t think it’s a must-watch. It’s a real case of the public disagreeing with the critics, and it’s definitely a phenomenon worth noting.
As of today, the streaming series The Hawk has a low Rotten Tomatoes score of 29%. While that’s an improvement from its initial score of 17%, critics haven’t been very impressed. However, viewers at home seem to enjoy the show much more, giving it an audience score of 65% on Rotten Tomatoes. Although that audience score isn’t exceptionally high, it shows that Netflix subscribers are more positive about Will Ferrell’s new comedy than professional reviewers.
How The Hawk Became An Instant #1 Hit For Will Ferrell & Netflix
The new comedy series, The Hawk, quickly became the most popular show on Netflix in the United States, starting on July 16th. It replaced Little House on the Prairie at the top of the charts. While the #1 spot on Netflix changes frequently due to the constant release of new shows, The Hawk‘s success is remarkable because it’s a comedy—and a rather edgy one at that. Since January 2024, only twelve other comedies have reached the #1 ranking in the U.S. on Netflix, including A Man on the Inside, Running Point, and The Four Seasons. The Hawk is the thirteenth to achieve this.
Will Ferrell is a major comedy star of the last twenty years, right up there with names like Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen. It makes sense that his large fan base has continued to watch him on Netflix. His films—including hits like Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, and Elf—have grossed over $2.18 billion in the U.S., putting him among the highest-earning comedic actors, just behind Jim Carrey and Ben Stiller. Beyond acting, Ferrell is also a seasoned producer with credits on popular shows such as Succession, Eastbound & Down, and Dead to Me, as well as films like Booksmart, Hustlers, and May December.
The Hawk’s #1 Rank Proves Viewers Want More Original Comedies
For years, Netflix has been known for its hit dramas like Stranger Things and Squid Game. However, it hasn’t offered as many well-known comedy series. Recent comedies like Tires, Free Bert, Running Point, and now The Hawk suggest a large audience, especially in the US, still wants to watch original comedy on the platform. Still, Netflix has only released four original comedy series in 2026 so far, compared to thirteen new dramatic series, including I Will Find You, Man on Fire, and Legends.
Early numbers for The Hawk show Will Ferrell still attracts a big audience with his familiar style of humor. His character, Lonnie Hawkins, is similar to his previous roles like Ron Burgundy and Ricky Bobby – a hilariously overconfident and immature man who somehow achieves success. This also indicates a renewed interest in sports comedies, reminiscent of films like Happy Gilmore and Ferrell’s other comedies such as Semi-Pro and Blades of Glory.
Even though some critics and viewers might be tired of Will Ferrell’s comedic style, the popularity of The Hawk shows there’s still a big audience for lighthearted, nostalgic comedies. Netflix should definitely continue making these types of shows, and a second season of Ferrell’s new hit would be a great idea.
2026-07-19 17:08