Russell Crowe’s new hidden gem is finally being unleashed on Netflix.
The Oscar-winning actor is easily one of the busiest stars in Hollywood, churning out as many as two or three movies per year. The year 2025 is an exception, however, as Crowe starred in just one movie, a WWII drama called Nuremberg, and it turned out to be one of his most intense roles yet, portraying Hitler’s second in command, Hermann Göring. The film follows U.S. Army psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek), who must evaluate the mental status and personalities of Nazi officials as they prepare for the trial of the century.
Despite a lukewarm box office in the United States, where it grossed just $14.5 million, the WWII drama turned out to be a surprise hit and, in turn, a hidden gem due to the commercial performance overseas, making a total of $45.5 million. Now, American audiences have a second chance to find Crowe’s gem, as Nuremberg will arrive on Netflix on March 7.
With a budget of around $7 to $10 million, the new WWII movie became a major box office hit after finding an audience outside the United States. It performed exceptionally well in European markets, including Italy. The surprise success makes sense due to Crowe’s star power, historical importance on the continent, and word of mouth.
Before Nuremberg’s release in the United States, the historical drama premiered at TIFF, where it initially had mixed to poor reviews, earning a Rotten Tomatoes score in the 30s. However, the reception improved immensely over time, flipping the movie’s designation to “fresh” after settling at 72%.
What’s even better is the response from moviegoers, which ultimately delivered a stunning 95% audience score on the site. This rating is easily the highest-rated movie in all of Crowe’s career, as it even edges out classics like L.A. Confidential (94%) and American Gangster (90%).
Reviews of Nuremberg praised the simple outlook and riveting direction of the historical trial. Crowe was applauded for his chilling portrayal as Göring, and conversations about award consideration were on the cards. He was in the Best Actor longlist for the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, but fell short of making the final shortlist. His co-star Malek was also lauded for his performance in challenging Crowe’s character, which ultimately led to a battle of wits.
The story is based on the 2013 novel The Nazi and the Psychiatrist by Jack El-Hai. James Vanderbilt wrote and directed the WWII drama, while the remaining cast includes Leo Woodall, John Slattery, Richard E. Grant, Michael Shannon, and Colin Hanks.
Although Nuremberg has yet to be released in countries like Germany (April 2026), the WWII drama has already made its way to digital home release. Despite its disappointing box office performance in the United States, American viewers are slowly uncovering Crowe’s hidden gem, as it has become a PVOD hit.
With word of mouth to support Nuremberg’s case, it now has a chance to find more viewers on one of the leading streaming services and complete its redemption arc in the United States.
- Release Date
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November 7, 2025
- Runtime
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148 minutes
- Director
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James Vanderbilt