‘The Wild Robot’ Returns to VOD Lead and Will Smith to Netflix #1 — This Time with 2015’s ‘Focus’

For the second time in two weeks, a previous #1 VOD release, still at premium price, returned to #1 after a week in a lower position.

“The Wild Robot” (Universal), still #4 in theaters this weekend parallel to home availability, repeats the move “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (Warner Bros. Discovery) managed last week.

The rise comes for two reasons. First, a lack of competitive new releases, including disinterest in “Joker: Folie à Deux” (WBD). Second is likely its rental price reduction from an initial premium at $24.99 to the more standard $19.99 PVOD cost.

After over three weeks where five different original movies took the top daily spot, Will Smith, whose “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” was his last studio #1, returned with his 2015 mid-level success “Focus.” But for most of the week, “Meet Me Next Christmas” led their list.

Fandango (which ranks by revenue) and iTunes (by transactions) both also list the “Beetlejuice” sequel and “Deadpool & Wolverine” (Disney), also a previous #1, as second and third, respectively. The biggest moves were made by films now renting for $5.99 (“Twisters” and “It Ends with Us,” fourth and fifth respectively at iTunes, lower on Fandango but still strong despite their lower prices).

‘The Substance‘Courtesy Everett Collection

“Folie à Deux” fell off iTunes’ top 10 after only a week, though it’s still #5 at Fandango. “The Substance” is on both lists in its second week, while also streaming at MUBI.

The other two new listings are wildly divergent. “The Apprentice” (Briarcliff) got a post-election boost, currently 10th at iTunes after placing as high as #6 during the week. Meantime, “Monster Summer” (Pastime), a month after its token theatrical release, is #10 at Fandango. It stars Mel Gibson in a kids-oriented horror comedy in the vein of “The Goonies.”

Also popping up at iTunes is “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (Universal) already for its annual multi-week presence. Why not? It’s only 44 days till the holiday.

Netflix beat them to the punch with the 2024 original “Meet Me Next Christmas.” The rom-com was directed by Rusty Cundieff, who, after making his mark with the independently made “Fear of a Black Hat” and then “Tales from the Hood” for Spike Lee’s 40 Acres and a Mule company three decades ago, mostly has been consigned to non-feature work. “Meet Me Next Christmas” was #1 at Netflix for several days, now second.

“Don’t Go,” an original from Sweden about a stressed-out family trying to reunite, is #9 currently. “Martha,” Netflix’s documentary about Martha Stewart, remains in its second week in the middle of the list.

Top 10s

iTunes ranks films daily by number of transactions, while Fandango at Home lists by revenue. The listings below are for Monday, November 11 (iTunes) and the week of November 4-10 (Fandango).

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

iTunes

1. The Wild Robot (Universal) – $19.99

2. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (WB) – $19.99

3. Deadpool & Wolverine (Disney) – $19.99

4. Twisters (WBD) – $5.99

5. It Ends with Us (Sony) – $5.99

6. Transformers One (Paramount) – $19.99

7. The Substance (MUBI) – $19.99

8. Blink Twice (MGM Amazon) – $5.99

9. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Universal) – $3.99

10. The Apprentice (Briarcliff) – $19.99

Fandango at Home

1. The Wild Robot (Universal) – $19.99

2. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (WB) – $19.99

3. Deadpool & Wolverine (Disney) – $19.99

4. Transformers One (Paramount) – $19.99

5. Joker: Folie à Deux (Warner Bros.) – $19.99

6. The Substance (MUBI) – $19.99

7. Twisters (Universal) – $5.99

8. Alien: Romulus (Disney) – $24.99

9. It Ends with Us (Sony) – $5.99

10. Monster Summer (Pastime) – $9.99

Netflix Movies

These are the most-viewed, current rankings on Netflix’s domestic daily chart on November 11. Originals include both Netflix-produced and acquired titles it initially presents in the U.S. Netflix publishes its own worldwide weekly top 10 on Tuesdays based on time viewed, and usually includes films for which it doesn’t have domestic rights. They have no other U.S.-only weekly chart.

1. Focus (2015 theatrical release)

2. Meet Me Next Christmas (Netflix original)

3. The Lost City (2022 theatrical release)

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

5. Harold and the Purple Crayon (2024 theatrical release)

6. Martha (Netflix original documentary)

7. Time Cut (Netflix original)

8. Just Go with It (2011 theatrical release)

9. Let Go (Swedish Netflix original)

10. Sing (2016 theatrical release)