Cage is back — this time as John Madden
Nicolas Cage is gearing up for another dramatic reinvention, this time portraying NFL icon John Madden in a forthcoming biopic scheduled for release on November 26. Early production photos show Cage in a wavy blonde wig and an aqua-blue tracksuit as he transforms into the larger-than-life broadcaster and coach. Christian Bale joins the cast as Al Davis, the late owner of the Oakland Raiders. The film charts Madden’s unlikely rise — from Super Bowl champion to the creator of the Madden NFL franchise and one of football’s most recognizable voices.
A surprising streaming comeback for a maligned fantasy
While audiences await Cage’s Madden turn, one of his more controversial movies from the 2010s has quietly resurfaced on U.S. streaming charts. Season of the Witch (2011), a supernatural adventure that paired Cage with Ron Perlman and director Dominic Sena, is currently listed among the most-streamed titles on the free service Tubi.
When it first arrived, Season of the Witch divided critics and moviegoers. Over a decade later it’s finding a new audience via ad-supported streaming — a reminder that accessibility and star power can reshape a film’s cultural footprint long after its theatrical run.
The film at a glance
- Title: Season of the Witch
- Release date: January 7, 2011
- Runtime: 95 minutes
- Rating: PG-13
- Director: Dominic Sena
- Principal cast: Nicolas Cage (Behman), Ron Perlman (Felson), Ulrich Thomsen, Christopher Lee (Cardinal D’Ambroise), Claire Foy
- Writers and producers: Bragi F. Schut; producers Alex Gartner, Charles Roven
Basic premise: A disillusioned knight returns from the Crusades to a Europe ravaged by the Black Plague. Ordered by a dying cardinal to escort an accused witch to a remote abbey, the knight and his companions confront supernatural forces and the possibility that the prisoner is no ordinary girl.
Critical reception vs. commercial outcome
Critically, Season of the Witch fared poorly. On Rotten Tomatoes it holds an 11% rating, summed up by the consensus: “Slow, cheap-looking, and dull, Season of the Witch fails even as unintentional comedy.” Despite that reception, the movie recouped its production outlay and more — against a reported $40 million budget it earned roughly $91.1 million worldwide at the box office and later added about $10.1 million through home media sales. Financially, that places it in the territory of a modest success rather than a flop.
Why the film is being rediscovered
Several factors help explain why a decade-old, critically panned fantasy would climb streaming charts now:
- Free, ad-supported platforms like Tubi lower the barrier to entry, encouraging casual viewing and rediscovery.
- Nicolas Cage’s career is perennially discussed; his name alone can draw curiosity viewers to older titles.
- Supporting talent such as Claire Foy, who was relatively unknown at the time but has since become higher-profile, can prompt fans to seek out early work.
- Genre films that mix medieval settings, horror elements, and action often become late-night streaming favorites for viewers chasing escapism rather than critical acclaim.
These elements combined can turn a movie that struggled with reviewers into a streaming curiosity or guilty pleasure for modern audiences.
Where to watch and what to expect
Season of the Witch is currently available to stream for free on Tubi in the U.S. Expect a brisk, PG-13 medieval fantasy with a mix of action and supernatural themes, a runtime under 100 minutes, and a cast that includes familiar faces from both genre cinema and prestige television.
Meanwhile, Cage’s upcoming portrayal of John Madden — alongside Christian Bale — represents another bold pivot in his career, and it will arrive in theaters on November 26. Whether viewers tune in for nostalgia, curiosity, or loyalty to Cage’s unpredictable filmography, his work continues to provoke attention across both theatrical and streaming landscapes.