Despite being a box office disappointment, Marvel’s Madame Web has found a new audience on Netflix, landing it on the streaming service’s Top 10 Global Movies chart. The film, released by Sony Pictures Entertainment in February, earned $102.2 million worldwide but fell short of expectations due to its $80 million production budget and poor critical reception. Rotten Tomatoes critics gave it an 11% rating while audiences rated it 57%.
However, none of this seemed to matter to Netflix viewers, as Madame Web was viewed 10.8 million times in the week of May 13-19, making it the number one movie on Netflix in the U.S. and also popular in countries like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. This popularity helped propel it to the second spot on the Global Top 10 Movies chart. Other movies on the Global Top 5 list include Mother of the Bride, Disturbia, Thelma the Unicorn, and Shrek.
One movie that is sliding down the Netflix Global Top 10 Movies chart is Unfrosted, a comedy film directed by Jerry Seinfeld and starring Seinfeld, Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, and Amy Schumer. After debuting at number one, it has fallen to number nine with 2.5 million views and 4 million viewing hours. Another Netflix original movie, Atlas, starring Jennifer Lopez, Sterling K. Brown, and Simi Liu, is set to be released on the streaming service this Friday, adding to Netflix’s diverse movie offerings.
Despite its initial struggles, Madame Web’s success on Netflix showcases the power of streaming platforms to introduce new audiences to overlooked or underappreciated films. The film’s popularity on the service demonstrates that viewer preferences often differ from critical consensus, and that movies can find success in unexpected ways. With Netflix’s wide reach and diverse content library, there is ample opportunity for all types of films to find an audience and resonate with viewers across the globe.
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, the success of Madame Web on Netflix serves as a reminder of the changing landscape of movie distribution. With traditional box office performance no longer being the sole indicator of a film’s success, streaming platforms like Netflix have become essential for giving movies a second chance and reaching audiences who may have missed them during their initial release. This shift towards digital platforms highlights the importance of accessibility and convenience for viewers in choosing what to watch.
