‘Back in Action’ Tops Netflix Chart, While ‘Kraven the Hunter’ and ‘Wicked’ Share VOD #1s

“Kraven the Hunter” (Sony) flopped in theaters when it opened five weeks ago (not even $25 million grossed in the U.S./Canada), but the Marvel world-adjacent action film had enough interest to vie for top home VOD title last week. It placed first at Fandango (which calculates by revenue) and third currently at iTunes (ranking by transactions), although it was #1 at the latter its first three days in release.

“Wicked” (Universal) in its third week of home release remained #1 at iTunes, but dropped to second at Fandango. Both rent for 48 hours for $19.99.

At Netflix, “Back in Action” is the latest original movie to lead their top 10. The spy comedy, Jamie Foxx’s first TV movie since 2004, and Cameron Diaz’s first film of any kind in over a decade, is the kind of star-driven lightweight effort that used to populate theaters on a regular basis (think “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” from 2005, which at today’s ticket prices grossed over $800 million worldwide). That it got made at all is due to streaming rather than theatrical release, with Netflix having this down to a science of sorts. The test of its appeal will be if it sustains a high position for more than a few days, something few of their originals do.

‘The Substance’ © MUBI / Courtesy Everett CollectionCourtesy Everett Collection

The two VOD charts mostly mirrored each other. Beyond “Wicked” and “Kraven,” both list “Gladiator II” (Paramount, just reduced to $9.99 rental), “The Substance” (MUBI), “Venom: The Last Dance” (Sony), “Flow” (Janus/Sideshow), and “The Wild Robot” (Universal),all renting for $19.99 and “The Heretic” (A24), for sale digitally at $19.99.

“Ad Vitam,” the French thriller starring veteran actor (and sometime director) Guillaume Cantet dropped to second at Netflix. Taking the top two spots, it and “Back in Action” are the only of their originals currently in their top 10. Their studio titles include five animated features, consistent with the streamer’s clear role as a household babysitter, particularly on winter holiday weekends.

“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” (Paramount), #4 in theaters this weekend, with $219 million in domestic gross so far, is scheduled for release Tuesday, January 21, and almost certainly will lead next week’s charts.

Top 10s

iTunes ranks films daily by number of transactions, while Fandango at Home lists by revenue. The listings below are for Monday, January 13 (iTunes) and the week of January 13-19 (Fandango).

The distributors listed are current rights owners. Prices for all titles are for lowest for either rental or download.

iTunes

1. Wicked (Universal) – $19.99

2. Kraven the Hunter (Sony) – $19.99

3. Gladiator II (Paramount) – $9.99

4. The Substance (MUBI) – $5.99

5. The Wild Robot (Universal) – $5.99

6. Venom: The Last Dance (Sony) – $9.99

7. Conclave (Focus) – $5.99

8. Anora (Neon) – $9.99

9. Flow (Janus/Sideshow) – $5.99

10. Heretic (A24) – $19.99

Fandango at Home

1. Kraven the Hunter (Universal) – $19.99

2. Wicked (Universal) – $19.99

3. Gladiator II (Paramount) – $9.99

4. Venom: The Last Dance (Sony) – $9.99

5. Flow (Janus/Sideshow) – $5.99

6. The Wild Robot (Univeral) – $5.99

7. The Substance (MUBI) – $5.99

8. Elevation (Vertical) – $5.99

9. The Order (Vertical) – $19.99

10. Heretic (A24) – $19.99

Netflix Movies

These are the most-viewed, current rankings on Netflix’s domestic daily chart on January 20. Originals include both Netflix-produced and acquired titles it initially presents in the U.S. Netflix publishes its own worldwide weekly (and individual country) top 10s on Tuesdays based on time viewed, and usually includes films for which it doesn’t have domestic rights.

1. Back in Action (Netflix original)

2. Ad Vitam (Netflix French original)

3. Despicable Me 2 (2013 theatrical release)

4. Despicable Me (2010 theatrical release)

5. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022 theatrical release)

6. Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015 theatrical release)

7. Hereditary (2018 theatrical release)

8. Rush Hour (1998 theatrical release)

9. The Secret Life of Pets (2016 theatrical release)

10. Boss Baby (2017 theatrical release)