Mark Wahlberg is everywhere right now. Honestly, it’s hard to keep up. One minute he's a suburban dad with a dark past on Apple TV+, and the next, he's a menacing pilot in a Mel Gibson-directed thriller. If you feel like your streaming queue is basically just a Mark Wahlberg film festival at this point, you aren't alone.
The man doesn't sleep. Or maybe he just schedules his sleep between 2:00 AM and 2:15 AM like those viral "daily routine" posts he used to share. Either way, 2025 and 2026 have been massive for him. We’ve seen a shift from the big-budget theatrical "Transformers" era into a king-of-streaming phase that is actually working.
The Reality of Latest Movies with Mark Wahlberg
Let’s talk about Flight Risk. This one hit theaters in early 2025, specifically around February. It’s a claustrophobic nightmare where Wahlberg plays Daryl Booth. He’s a pilot, but not the "heroic Sully" type. He’s transporting a fugitive and an Air Marshal across the Alaskan wilderness. The twist? He’s basically a psycho. It was a refreshing change of pace to see him lean into a villainous role rather than the usual "tough guy with a heart of gold." Mel Gibson directed it, and you can feel that gritty, old-school tension in every frame.
Then there’s the sequel nobody saw coming but everyone watched: The Family Plan 2.
The first one was a massive hit for Apple TV+, despite what critics said. People just love watching Mark try to change a diaper while fending off international assassins. The sequel, which dropped in late 2025, moved the chaos to Europe for a Christmas vacation. Kit Harington joined the cast, and seeing Jon Snow trade blows with Wahlberg on a double-decker bus in London was... a lot. It’s light, it’s breezy, and it’s exactly what people want to watch on a Friday night with a pizza.
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Play Dirty and the Shane Black Connection
If you're looking for something with a bit more "edge," Play Dirty is the one you probably saw trending on Prime Video.
This is an adaptation of the "Parker" novels by Richard Stark. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because the character has been played by everyone from Mel Gibson (in Payback) to Jason Statham. Wahlberg’s version, directed by the legendary Shane Black, feels different. It’s got that snappy, rhythmic dialogue Black is known for. He plays Parker, a professional thief who is just remarkably good at being bad.
It’s a heist movie, plain and simple. No world-ending stakes. Just a guy trying to pull off a job while outsmarting the mob and a South American dictator.
What’s Dropping in 2026 and Beyond?
Right now, in early 2026, the buzz is all about Balls Up.
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This is another Amazon MGM project, but this time Peter Farrelly is at the helm. If you remember The Other Guys, you know Mark has great comedic timing when he’s paired with the right people. This time, he’s starring alongside Paul Walter Hauser and Eric André. They play marketing execs who get fired, get drunk, go to a soccer match in Brazil, and somehow end up as fugitives.
It sounds chaotic. It probably is. But that’s the Wahlberg brand lately: high energy, slightly ridiculous, and incredibly watchable.
Upcoming Projects to Watch For
- Weekend Warriors: This is a bit of a departure. It’s an Apple Original sports dramedy directed by Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower). It’s based on a true story about a father and his autistic son who travel to every basketball stadium. Expect this one to be the "cry at the end" movie of the year.
- The Operator: Netflix just snagged this one. He’s playing a CIA "clean-up" man. It's supposed to be much more "hardcore" than his recent comedies. Think The Departed energy mixed with John Wick.
- Uncharted 2: Yes, it’s supposedly still happening. Tom Holland and Wahlberg’s Sully (now with the mustache, hopefully) are slated for another go at it.
Why the Critics are Wrong about Mark's "New" Career
There’s this weird narrative that Wahlberg has "retired" to streaming. That’s just not true. What he’s actually doing is dominating the most valuable real estate in entertainment.
When The Family Plan became the most-watched movie in Apple TV+ history (at the time), it proved he doesn’t need a $200 million Marvel budget to pull an audience. He’s leaning into "Dad Cinema"—movies that are fun, occasionally violent, and don't require you to have watched 14 previous films to understand the plot.
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It’s honestly smart business. He’s producing most of these through his company, Unrealistic Ideas, which gives him more control over the final product.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Movie Night
If you're trying to figure out which of the latest movies with Mark Wahlberg to watch tonight, here is how you should break it down:
- For a Family Night: Go with The Family Plan 2 on Apple TV+. It's PG-13, funny, and safe for most ages.
- For a Gritty Thriller: Rent or stream Flight Risk. It’s a tight, 90-minute suspense film that doesn't overstay its welcome.
- For Action-Comedy Fans: Check out Play Dirty on Prime Video. It’s stylish and feels like the kind of movies they used to make in the 90s.
- For a Throwback: If you’ve seen all the new ones, Lone Survivor has been trending on Netflix recently. It’s heavy, but it’s arguably one of his best performances.
Keep an eye on the trades for a firm release date on Weekend Warriors later this year. It's likely to be his big "prestige" play for the next awards season, moving him back into the conversation for his acting chops rather than just his biceps.