Netflix’s Gritty New Gangster Thriller Inspired By A True Story Quickly Rises On Global Streaming Charts

Netflix’s new gangster thriller The Big Fake is already gaining traction worldwide, quickly rising on the platform’s global streaming charts after its debut. Inspired by a true story, the Italian crime drama is set in 1970s Rome and follows an aspiring artist who becomes entangled in organized crime through the dangerous world of art forgery.

Since its debut, The Big Fake has generated buzz for its atmospheric depiction of Italy’s capital during a turbulent decade and its focus on how talent and ambition can lead to moral compromise. The film portrays Toni’s descent from hopeful painter to master forger-for-hire, a transformation that pulls him deeper into the underworld of Rome’s criminal syndicates and political machinations.

According to FlixPatrol’s streaming rankings for January 25, 2026, The Big Fake ranks among the most-streamed movies worldwide on Netflix. Currently, The Big Fake ranks at number 7 in the Top 10 Movies on the streamer. Other films in the Top 10 are The Rip at No. 1​​​​​, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart at No. 2, People We Meet on Vacation at No. 3, with KPop Demon Hunters closing out the chart. See the full chart below:

The true-story behind The Big Fake adds another layer to its appeal, grounding the film’s crime narrative in fascinating real-world history rather than pure fiction. Stories centred on forgery, corruption, and organized crime have long enticed audiences, but The Big Fake distinguishes itself by placing artistic ambition at the heart of its crime. By tying Toni’s rise and fall to the political and social instability of 1970s Italy, the film reflects how crime can flourish in moments of cultural uprisal, blurring the line between survival and moral collapse.

The film was directed by Stefano Lodovichi and stars Pietro Castellitto, Giulia Michelini, Aurora Giovinazzo, Claudio Santamaria, Edoardo Pesce, Andrea Arcangeli, and Pierluigi Gigante. Critically, The Big Fake has drawn mixed reviews. While the film does not currently have a score on Rotten Tomatoes, early critic and audience reviews vary from praising its period detail, atmospheric tension, and moral ambiguity to others arguing that the emotional depth and character development could have been stronger.

Despite receiving mixed reviews, the early chart success of The Big Fake highlights the audience’s growing interest in gritty, internationally produced crime films. It is noteworthy that this foreign drama has managed to secure a spot in the Top 10 most-streamed films worldwide, especially considering its relatively limited mainstream marketing. Its performance demonstrates that global audiences are increasingly embracing non-English language films that provide complex narratives and bold stylistic choices.

Netflix’s continued success with international crime dramas has also played a role in The Big Fake’s early performance. In recent years, the streamer has seen global hits emerge from non-English titles like Lupin, Money Heist, and Baby, a fellow Italian production, proving that compelling storytelling can transcend language barriers. The Big Fake fits neatly into this strategy, offering a distinctly Italian perspective while still delivering the familiar genre elements that resonate with audiences worldwide.

The Big Fake is streaming on Netflix.

founded

January 16, 2007

founders

Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph