Jack Reacher is the central figure in a long-running series of novels, novellas, and short stories written by Lee Child. Since the first book's release, the series has grown to include 29 novels and a short story collection. The stories follow Reacher, who was once a major in the United States Army Military Police Corps. Living as a drifter and fueled by an unwavering sense of justice, he spends his time taking on dangerous odd jobs.
Child's iconic creation hasn't just kept readers wanting more. In 2012, the character made his way to the screen, bringing Reacher's no-nonsense attitude and action-packed adventures to life. Whether you're new to the franchise or revisiting it, here's a guide to experiencing Jack Reacher's cinematic and televised adaptations in order, along with where to stream them.
Jack Reacher (2012)
Tom Cruise effortlessly steps into the shoes of the former military man in the inaugural film adaptation of Jack Reacher. The story focuses on sniper James Barr (Joseph Sikora), who is accused of randomly killing five people. Despite the mountains of evidence against him and a likely death sentence, his only request is to "Get Jack Reacher."
Reacher agrees to investigate and stumbles into high levels of corruption and deceit, which requires seeking justice beyond the confines of the law. Although Cruise doesn't quite fit Reacher's physical description, which fans of the books are familiar with, he definitely captures the character's intelligence and gritty attitude with his own unique style.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)
Tom Cruise reprises his role as the stoic vigilante in Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. This time, the story takes Reacher back to his old military headquarters, where Major Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders) has been accused of espionage. Determined to clear her name, Reacher uncovers a conspiracy that involves the death of American soldiers.
Unlike its predecessor, the sequel introduces a personal arc to Reacher's story by hinting that he may have a child he didn't know existed. The dynamic between Cruise and Smulders injects a fresh energy into the combat-heavy franchise by adding a good dose of introspective moments which make Reacher a little more human.
Reacher (2022–Present)
Released in 2022, the Reacher series offers a fresh take on the titular character, with Alan Ritchson taking over the role. The first season, based on Lee Child's debut novel Killing Floor, introduces viewers to the former army major as he investigates a conspiracy in small-town Margrave, Georgia. Fans have been thrilled with Ritchson's portrayal of Reacher, which aligns more closely with the physicality and imposing stature described in the novels.
So, it's no surprise that the show received loads of praise for staying true to Lee Child's novels and for its excellent storytelling. Season 2, which is based on Bad Luck and Trouble, continues to explore Reacher's complicated life, while Season 3 adapted "Persuader." The series has been renewed for a fourth season, though no release date is available at this time.
Where To Stream All The Jack Reacher Movies Online
For those eager to immerse themselves in the world of Jack Reacher, both films are available for streaming on platforms like Netflix, Max, and more. The television series Reacher is exclusively available on Amazon Prime Video, with all available episodes ready for streaming.
