A 2024 Netflix film has rapidly become a global success, despite receiving a 30% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. Though the streaming service has produced a number of movies that have received awards attention, Netflix just as frequently releases original films that miss with critics. However, the platform’s set-up makes it easy for movies to reach audiences in search of a casual watch, turning critically-disliked titles into global hits.

Netflix’s model has proven viewers are willing to engage with content regardless of critical opinion, suggesting that audience appeal plays a larger role in streaming platforms’ success than that of critics. In recent weeks, Netflix originals that earned poor reviews on their way to becoming viewership hits include the Lindsay Lohan Christmas romance Our Little Secret, fellow holiday offering The Merry Gentlemen, and the slasher flick Time Cut.

Mary Defies Expectations On The Streaming Charts

Mary Has Hit Top 10 Charts Across The Globe

Mary, the 2024 Netflix film, has become a streaming hit. Directed by D.J. Caruso, the film follows Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she is forced to flee when Herod’s thirst for power instigates a murderous pursuit of her newborn. Released on December 6, the movie’s reviews have been largely negative, earning a 30% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, viewers are definitely tuning in.

Mary came in at the no. 4 spot on Netflix’s Global Movies Top 10 chart for the week of December 2 through December 8, behind Our Little Secret, That Christmas, and The Grinch. It racked up 11.4 million views and 21.2 million hours viewed for this stretch of time, and came in at no. 1 in two countries: Réunion and the Philippines. Overall, it was on the Top 10 lists of 71 different countries.

Mary comes at a time when audiences are likely more receptive to religious and holiday-themed content, with its December release aligning with a season that often sees a surge in interest in these types of films. With movies like Mary, it’s clear that audiences are often seeking something beyond the polished critiques of industry experts. Because of the central themes of Mary and the historical and religious significance of the titular character, it’s likely that audiences are connecting with the film on a level deeper than the critical viewpoints.

Our Take On Mary And The Changing Streaming Landscape

The unexpected success of Mary might be significant for Netflix’s strategy going forward. It raises a question of how streaming platforms could continue to prioritize audience engagement over critical reviews when producing future films. In an era where movies can be popular for reasons that don’t necessarily align with critical acclaim, platforms like Netflix may find that their best investments lie in tapping into the raw, untapped potential of audiences worldwide.

While the critics have spoken, audiences have voted with their views, proving once again that sometimes it’s the unexpected hits that determine a platform’s success. Whether or not Mary is a one-off or part of a growing trend remains to be seen, but it is clear that the way audiences engage with content is shifting, and Netflix is fully in tune with that evolution.