Original Coverage & Source Attribution: www.cbr.com
Denzel Washington is a critically acclaimed actor, known for films like Glory, Training Day, Malcolm X, The Equalizer trilogy, and more. Now, one of his most underrated films, an adaptation of a bestselling novel, is available to stream for free.
A new month brings a change in the catalog for all streaming platforms, and many movies and shows joined the free Pluto TV catalog in November. One of these is Denzel Washington’s Man on Fire, a 2004 action thriller based on A. J. Quinnell’s novel of the same name. And in 2026, Netflix released a new adaptation.
Denzel Washington’s Man on Fire Remains an Underrated Thriller
Man on Fire, published in 1980, was written by English novelist Philip Nicholson under his pen name A. J. Quinnell. It stars Marcus Creasy, a former member of the French Foreign Legion and mercenary. Man on Fire was the first in the Creasy book series, followed by The Perfect Kill (1992), The Blue Ring (1993), Black Horn (1994), and Message from Hell (1996).
In Man on Fire, Creasy becomes a bodyguard for a wealthy Italian family, tasked with protecting their daughter, Pinta, from possible kidnapping attempts. Creasy has a hardened exterior due to his past, but he forms a friendship with the young girl, becoming a parent figure. However, his life turns upside down when, despite his best efforts, Pinta gets kidnapped by the Mafia.
The 2004 movie adaptation of Man on Fire brings the story to the screen, but with some changes. Denzel Washington stars as John W. Creasy, a former CIA agent and U.S. Marine Force Recon Captain hired to be a bodyguard for Lupita “Pita” Ramos, the daughter of Samuel Ramos, a wealthy auto manufacturer. Dakota Fanning plays Pita, with Marc Anthony starring as her father, Samuel.
Man on Fire (2004) received mostly negative reviews from critics and holds a “rotten” 38% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the action-thriller was a hit with viewers, with a much more positive 89% Popcornmeter score based on audience reviews. The Denzel Washington thriller was also a box office hit, grossing $130.3 million against a $60–70 million budget.
Despite its negative reviews, many still consider Man on Fire one of Washington’s best action movies. Richard Roeper, known for co-hosting the television series At the Movies with Roger Ebert, said, “I’m recommending Man on Fire for that bold style, its unapologetic comic book story arc, and the great performances from Denzel Washington, Christopher Walken and young Dakota Fanning.”
Man on Fire Received a Second Adaptation in 2026
Image via Juan Rosas / ©Netflix/ Courtesy Everett Collection
More than two decades after Denzel Washington’s portrayal of Creasy in 2004’s Man on Fire, Netflix released a new adaptation of the A. J. Quinnell novel. Man on Fire (2026) is an action-thriller series released on April 30, 2026. This new version stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as John Creasy, a former U.S. Army Special Forces Captain.
In Netflix’s Man on Fire, Creasy travels to Brazil to meet with an old friend, Rayburn, who offers him a security job. But before he can start, Rayburn and his entire family, except for his daughter Poe, die in an explosion. Now, Creasy takes it upon himself to get revenge while also protecting his friend’s daughter.
Netflix’s Man on Fire received better reviews from critics, though it also holds a “rotten” score. On Rotten Tomatoes, Season 1 has a 59% Tomatometer score based on critics’ reviews, and a 62% Popcornmeter score based on audience reviews. Man on Fire has not been officially renewed for another season, though its star has plans for a potential Season 2.
Man on Fire is now a classic action thriller story, with a book series, a fan-favorite movie adaptation, and a new TV series that keeps Creasy in pop culture as a classic action hero. And with Denzel Washington’s adaptation now available to stream for free on Pluto TV, many fans can rewatch or discover this underrated yet memorable adaptation of A. J. Quinnell’s book.
