Netflix’s Top 10 Is Dominated by 2024’s Blockbusters and Bombs

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  • Disappointing Box Office Finds Second Life on Netflix
  • 2024 Giants Are Still Coming in Strong on Netflix

2024 has been having an outstanding run on Netflix so far this year. Several of its major movies have made it to the top 10 lists on the streaming platform since the beginning of the year. High-profile productions such as Horizon, Furiosa, and The Watchers are enjoying a second chance on the streaming service. This may not come as a shocking revelation, but it’s particularly beneficial for movies that faced setbacks at the box office last year.

2024 movies that initially struggled to connect with audiences now have a new opportunity to be appreciated, as Netflix provides a second chance for viewers to discover them, possibly missed during their initial theater release.
Movies such as Horizon, Furiosa, and The Watchers were box office flops but now have the potential to find their audience. On the other hand, films like Godzilla x Kong that have already demonstrated success naturally climb the top 10 rankings.

Disappointing Box Office Finds Second Life on Netflix

It’s not uncommon for all projects to be successful, but it stings more deeply when highly anticipated films from 2024 end up as financial flops despite strong anticipation, as was the case with some of them. Kevin Costner faced a significant risk with “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1“, which he had poured a great deal into. This film was the first installment of a planned four-part series, and it was not only acted in but also written, directed, produced, and partially financed by Costner, who initially envisioned this epic Western back in 1988.

Despite years of preparation, the release of the film initially fell flat at the box office, earning just $38 million against a budget of $50 million. Such dismal numbers could potentially jeopardize the future of the planned series. The sequel, “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2,” has already been produced and is scheduled for release, although its initial date has been pushed back indefinitely. The fate of Chapters 3 and 4 may depend on the financial performance of the first two movies. A strong showing on Netflix for “Horizon – Chapter 1” could help attract an audience who might choose to watch Chapter 2 in theaters, thereby boosting support for future installments.

It appears that both “Furiosa” and “The Watchers,” released in 2024, could benefit from a larger viewership. Unfortunately, “The Watchers” faced challenges, as it underperformed financially and critically. With a production budget of $30 million, the film only managed to gross $33 million worldwide. Additionally, it received a critical rating of 32% on Rotten Tomatoes, while the audience score was slightly better at 50%, still indicating a generally negative reception.

In contrast to receiving overwhelming critical acclaim (90%) and audience appreciation (88%), the movie Furiosa faced challenges similar to those experienced by The Watchers, as it had difficulty attracting an audience and only barely surpassed its $168 million budget. Yet, the success of both films on streaming platforms may prove beneficial. Despite the negative reviews for The Watchers, if streaming viewers embrace the film, it could aid Ishana Night Shyamalan in cultivating her own audience beyond her renowned father’s shadow. For Furiosa, a resurgence of positive buzz and renewed audience interest might inspire studio trust in the franchise. Furiosa‘s director, George Miller, has expressed his belief in telling more stories about Furiosa. However, given the underwhelming box office returns indicating a lack of audience engagement, could the streaming revival foster greater confidence among the studios for potential future installments?

2024 Giants Are Still Coming in Strong on Netflix

Not just struggling movies have found their way onto streaming platforms. The 2024 blockbuster “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” has climbed to the top 10 on Netflix’s Global Charts. This movie, the highest-grossing film in the MonsterVerse franchise (which includes Godzilla, Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Godzilla vs. Kong), raked in over $570 million at the global box office. Clearly, the king of the monsters remains on his throne. “Godzilla x Kong” received a verified audience rating of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating that home viewers are equally captivated. With 7.4 million global views, it currently ranks number 6 in the global top 10. It’s also worth mentioning that “Dune: Part Two” has been added to the streaming platform, and this 2024 Golden Globe Best Picture nominee has found success there as well.

In a fresh twist, the movie “Interstellar” experienced a comeback in 2024. Originally debuting on November 7, 2014, it was re-released to cinemas on December 6, 2024, marking its tenth anniversary. Viewers were either reintroduced to or reminded of the greatness of this sci-fi film directed by Christopher Nolan. Despite being a decade old, audiences flocked to IMAX screenings and added approximately $25 million to the movie’s global box office. Consequently, “Interstellar” has climbed up Netflix’s US streaming charts to the eighth spot. Even though it is older than the previous year, its 2024 revival has brought it back into the limelight for viewers once more.

While the past year’s movies have dominated the Top 10 on Netflix, the chance to showcase lesser-known films could pave the way for a fruitful future. However, blockbuster films like Godzilla vs Kong and Dune: Part Two have only benefited from streaming as another platform to rule.

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2025-01-07 05:01