The Internet Can't Decide if Netflix's #1 Movie Is Hilarious or a Total Miss

What if it's both?

Published Jul 28, 2026

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2:48pm

Alan Markfield/Netflix

Believe it or not, even with the endless list of new movies and shows hitting streaming services every week, I still find myself scrolling for way longer than I’d like to admit trying to figure out what to watch. That was exactly the case this weekend until I landed on one of Netflix’s newest comedy films, which has since skyrocketed to the top of the platform’s Top 10 movies. The title? 72 Hours.

The film follows a 40-year-old executive (Kevin Hart) who is desperate to save his struggling career. His solution? Joining a group of twenty-somethings (Marcello Hernández, Mason Gooding, Kam Patterson, Ben Marshall) on a chaotic three-day bachelor party after he’s accidentally added to their group text.

Mike Epps, Teyana Taylor, and Katt Williams also make appearances, adding even more recognizable faces to the cast.

Alan Markfield/Netflix

Based on the trailer alone, it’s pretty clear 72 Hours is giving major The Hangover energy. It’s the kind of movie that’s built around ridiculous situations, over-the-top moments, and not taking itself too seriously. But based on the internet’s reaction, it seems like not everyone loved it. In fact, viewers are pretty divided.

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave the film a less-than-impressive 16 percent score, while audiences landed somewhere in the middle with a 48 percent rating. And the reviews reflect that split.

For every viewer calling it a “Super fun watch! Cracked up quite a few times,” there was another who argued, “It seems like an attempt to make something 'so bad it’s good,' but only achieved the bad.”

Another reviewer seemed to land somewhere between the two sides, sharing, “I actually found moments in it laugh-out-loud funny…There are also a lot of jokes that felt flat and weren't funny at all.”

And honestly? I kind of agree with all of them.

There were moments where I couldn’t help but laugh at how absurd things got, but there were also times when I caught myself thinking, “Wait, where is this going?” Still, I didn’t press play expecting a cinematic masterpiece. I was looking for something entertaining to pass the time and an excuse to watch a few actors I enjoy seeing on screen.

So, if you’re wondering whether 72 Hours is worth streaming, I say why not? At the very least, you’ll have something to talk about afterward.

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Danielle Long

Contributing Editor, News and Entertainment

Writes breaking news and entertainment content
Covers award show red carpets and movie premieres
Has earned two Edward R. Murrow Awards

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