A criminally and critically underrated comedy is now a streaming sensation. It’s even beating out some of its biggest competition.
Per FlixPatrol, 2004’s Without a Paddle starring Matthew Lillard, Dax Shepard, and Seth Green has officially made its way onto the list of the top ten streaming films currently available on Paramount+ in the United States. Without a Paddle currently sits at number 10 on the list, one position lower after its debut on June 9.
Why Without a Paddle Was So Divisive
Upon its release, Without a Paddle was widely lambasted by critics, who left the film with what is currently an abysmal 15% “Tomatometer” score via review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences, on the other hand, were enamored with the on-screen antics, helping Without a Paddle gross more than $73 million at the box office against a $19 million budget and awarding it a 68% “Popcornmeter” score on Rotten Tomatoes, as averaged across more than 250,000 user-submitted reviews.
Critics noted the three leads had chemistry but believed the comedy was largely unfunny. “Maybe the filmmakers should have called the picture Without a Laugh,” wrote Movie Metropolis’ John J. Puccio. Audiences, however, enjoyed it and found it goofy, as well as “Quotable, endearing and fun.”
Directed by Steven Brill from a screenplay by Jay Leggett and Mitch Rouse, Without a Paddle arrived in theaters in 2004 as the then-latest adventure comedy sensation. The comedy stars Seth Green, Dax Shepard, and Matthew Lillard as Dan, Tom, and Jerry, three childhood friends who come together to mourn a recently deceased member of their group, only to decide to embark upon the hunt for D. B. Cooper’s fabled fortune as an act of remembrance.
Soon enough, the trio discovers they are completely unprepared for what the journey entails, leaving them to stave off the elements and treacherous terrain with little more than their frequently dim wits. Along the way, the three cross paths with all manner of colorful characters, with the film featuring appearances from the likes of Burt Reynolds, Christina Moore, Ray Baker, Ethan Suplee, and Antony Starr.
Where Matthew Lillard Is Heading Next on the Silver Screen
While Green and Shepard have largely pivoted to the worlds of animation and podcasts, respectively, their Without a Paddle co-star Matthew Lillard continues to make regular film and television appearances. In fact, Lillard is set to appear in multiple, wildly different features in the years to come. Among these is Behemoth! from writer-director Tony Gilroy, a new drama with a star-studded cast including Pedro Pascal, Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, and Will Arnett.
Lillard will also be starring alongside David Corenswett, Nicholas Hoult, Rachel Brosnahan, Edi Gathegi, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Frank Grillo, and Skyler Gisondo in 2027’s Man of Tomorrow. Lillard is one of several actors who are signed on for the Superman follow-up in still undisclosed roles, along with Andre Royo and Sinqua Walls. Man of Tomorrow is expected to largely revolve around the emergence of the villainous Brainiac, portrayed by Lars Eidinger.
Before either Man of Tomorrow or Behemoth! arrive in theaters, fans will be able to see Lillard take on the role of Principal Henry Grayle in Amazon MGM Studios’ Carrie streaming series. The latest adaptation of Stephen King’s classic novel stars Summer H. Howell as Carrie White, with Samantha Sloyan portraying Carrie’s domineering and abusive mother Margaret White. While a firm release date has not yet been set for Carrie, it was confirmed to be arriving sometime in October.
Without a Paddle is currently available for streaming on Paramount+.