Well, folks, Netflix has a new “biggest thing ever!” to talk about. Before last year, the biggest streaming platform on the planet was pretty hush-hush when it come to talking about viewership numbers for films and TV shows, often giving us nebulous charts and questionable stats. But now, every week, Netflix updates its Top 10 website, showcasing what is currently the biggest shows and TV series based on total hours viewed over a period of time (though to be fair, it’s not like it’s super transparent data, nor is it comparative to anything else; just a touting of its hits without mention of any flops). If for nothing else, it does mean Netflix is at least a bit more transparent than it was a year ago, and it also provides some proof to back up the claim that Adam McKay’s political satire, “Don’t Look Up,” is actually one of the biggest films in Netflix’s history.
READ MORE: ‘Don’t Look Up’ Review: A Smug, Glib Miscalculation From Adam McKay
According to numbers released by Netflix, “Don’t Look Up” scored a ridiculous 152 million hours viewed in its first week of release beginning on December 27. If true, this means “Don’t Look Up” scored the most viewers of any Netflix original film in its first week of release, surpassing “Bird Box” and other major releases.
In a tweet, after hearing the news, Adam McKay posted, “I’m straight up flabbergasted by this.”
Of course, we can’t give Adam McKay’s film the top crown of “Biggest Netflix Film Debut Ever” just yet, as the streaming platform looks at the first 28 days of viewership for that distinction. Judging by that metric, “Don’t Look Up” would have to surpass viewership numbers of previous films such as “Red Notice” (364 million) and “Bird Box” (282 million). As of now, Netflix is predicting that “Don’t Look Up” will fall at #3 on that list with approximately (263 million). Though, with the film being extra buzzy right now, that could change. We’ll just have to wait and see.
READ MORE: The Essentials: The Films Of Adam McKay
The success of “Don’t Look Up” seems to also back up the streaming platform’s insistence that big names equal big success. McKay’s film has one of the most stacked casts in recent memory, led by Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio. And when you look at all of the big films in Netflix’s history, there’s always at least one or two massive A-listers leading the way.
This doesn’t discount what “Don’t Look Up” has been able to do so far. The film clearly has struck a chord with people, as its satire pokes fun at so much going on in today’s society. So, you have to assume it’s more than just star power fueling this rise.
“Don’t Look Up” is available on Netflix now.