The consistent success of adaptations of novels and films on Netflix shows that the combination of both genres can be a hit. Inspired by the successful film starring Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning in 2004, Man on Fire recently premiered on Netflix and received positive reactions from both critics and viewers. This new crime thriller series, consisting of seven episodes, quickly climbed the Netflix TV streaming rankings, competing with productions like Should I Marry A Murderer and Jack Thorne's Lord of the Flies.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays the character John Creasy, a former mercenary seeking revenge on the streets of Rio while trying to save a young girl. The series features a production team that includes names like Billie Boullet, Alice Braga, Scoot McNairy, and Bobby Cannavale. Man on Fire has proven to be one of Netflix's most impressive new series releases this year, achieving 11 million views just four days after its release date on April 30.

Given the positive reviews it has received, this success for the series is hardly surprising. Collider's Carly Lane described the show as "a perfect binge experience" and a "thrilling adaptation that is confident in its story, characters, and action." The series currently holds a score of 62% on Rotten Tomatoes.

While Man on Fire may have crowned itself with most views, it is not at the top of Netflix's overall rankings. According to the same report, this title belongs to Charlize Theron's latest action film Apex, which features an adrenaline junkie character embarking on a dangerous adventure. Directed by Baltasar Kormákur, the film, which also stars Kingsman's Taron Egerton and Eric Bana, became a global hit by recording 40.2 million views in its first full week. This marks the second consecutive week of ranking success for the production, which garnered 38.2 million views in just three days the previous week.