‘Carry-On’ and ‘Gladiator II’ Win Holiday Cheer as the Week’s Top VOD and Netflix Movies

“Carry-On”, Jaume Collet-Serra’s thriller with Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman, continues to add to its claim to be one of the most watched Netflix original movies ever. During the high-end viewership holiday period, it now has been #1 for three weeks in a row. Even being in the top spot for two consecutive weeks is rare among Netflix films. But a third return to #1 elevates it into a position not seen at least in the last two years.

Even “Glass Onion,” the “Knives Out” sequel, only managed two weeks at #1, and it is currently the #10 English-language film on Netflix All Time. Netflix will release worldwide statistics on Tuesday, but based on its current position, look for them to elevate “Carry-On” among their biggest successes.

“Gladiator II” (Paramount) immediately took over the #1 position on PVOD with its release after five weekends in theaters. It’s another sign of how lucrative these platforms are, since in the past a distributor would have been expected to try to benefit from Christmas playtime for a hit November release. Ridley Scott’s film is still playing in theaters (#9 for the weekend with another $4.1 million), but an 80 percent share (after carrier fees deducted) on $19.99 from each rental is revenue that’s increasingly hard to resist. If it has the chance to dominate the charts, all the better.

‘Wicked’ ph: Giles Keyte /© Universal Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

But “Gladiator II’s” dominant run should end next week when Universal drops “Wicked” on PVOD. The musical blockbuster was still #4 for the weekend at the box office, bringing in nearly $20 million and has a huge U.S./Canada gross of $424 million so far. Between its theatrical run and a PVOD launch, it should have big appeal in the remaining days of the holiday, as well as sustain strong interest once Oscar nominations are unveiled in January.

With Christmas behind us, multiple older holiday films, including two “Grinch” titles, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and other perennials, are mostly gone from the charts this week, and several other recent releases have returned after a week’s absence.

The animated “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” (Warner Bros. Discovery), a disaster in theaters, went to PVOD only two weeks after its release. Its $19.99 price elevated it to #9 at Fandango, which ranks by revenue (iTunes does by transactions).

Three films all released on December 6 releases, which combined grossed under $5 million, debuted this week on PVOD to varying results. Justin Kurzel’s crime thriller “The Order” (Vertical) did best, placing #2 at iTunes and fourth at Fandango. “The Return” (Bleecker Street), “The Odyssey” adaptation starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche (which got out ahead of Christopher Nolan’s just announced version), also made both lists, #9 at iTunes, #10 at Fandango. “Werewolves” (Briarcliff) is #3 at Fandango. Also on iTunes at #10 is “The Program,” a direct-to-VOD UFO documentary.

“Venom: The Last Dance” (Sony) is best among other recent releases, with “Heretic” (A24) and “The Wild Robot” (Universal) also on both lists. And with their rental costs reduced to $5.99, “The Substance” (MUBI) and “Saturday Night” also both returned to iTunes’ list.

‘The Six Triple Eight‘Netflix

As impressive at “Carry-On” is at Netflix, another original, Tyler Perry’s World War II-set drama “The Six Triple Eight,” remains strong at #2 for the second straight week. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” and “The Forge,” #3 and #4 respectively, were the best among theatrical titles from earlier this year now being licensed to Netflix.

Top 10s

iTunes ranks films daily by number of transactions, while Fandango at Home lists by revenue. The listings below are for Monday, December 23 (iTunes) and the week of December 23-29 (Fandango).

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

iTunes

1. Gladiator II (Paramount) – $19.99

2. The Order (Vertical) – $19.99

3. Venom: The Last Dance (Sony) – $19.99

4. Heretic (A24) – $19.99

5. The Substance (MUBI) – $5.99

5. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Lionsgate) – $19.99

6. Anora (Neon) – $19.99

7. The Wild Robot (Universal) – $19.99

8. Saturday Night (Sony) – $5.99

9. The Return (Bleecker Street) – $9.99

10. The Program (Lab 9) – $5.99

Fandango at Home

1. Gladiator II (Paramount) – $19.99

2. Venom: The Last Dance (Sony) – $19.99

3. Werewolves (Briarcliff) – $19.99

4. The Order (Vertical) – $19.99

5. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Lionsgate) – $19.99

6. Heretic (A24) – $19.99

7. Conclave (Focus) – $19.99

8. The Wild Robot (Universal) – $19.99

9. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (WBD) – $19.99

10. The Return (Bleecker Street) – $9.99

Netflix Movies

These are the most-viewed, current rankings on Netflix’s domestic daily chart on December 30. 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. Carry-On (Netflix original)

2. The Six Triple Eight (Netflix original)

3. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024 theatrical release)

4. The Forge (2024 theatrical release)

5. Kill ‘Em All 2 (2024 VOD release)

6. It Ends with Us (2024 theatrical release)

7. That Christmas (Netflix British animated original)

8. Our Little Secret (Netflix original)

9. Barbie (2023 theatrical release)

10. Sing (2016 theatrical release)