As if you couldn't tell by this point in time with all the memes and videos of idiots almost killing themselves walking around New York City blindfolded, Netflix's new horror-thriller BIRD BOX has become kind of a big deal. And it makes sense considering that Netflix let the world know a week or so ago that the movie was their most popular original film ever. But, come on, who can really believe Netflix and their hidden secrets.
But the big numbers seemed to be confirmed today as Deadline reports that a whopping 26 million U.S. subscribers watched it in its first week. This is after Netflix said that 45 million members globally had seen at least 70% of the film during its opening week. Evidently, the biggest day for the thriller was its eighth day, December 28, where it drew in an average audience of nearly 3.9 million.
Viewership was close to the 4-million mark for the first 10 days of release, and Nielsen described the pattern as “extraordinarily consistent." In fact, in its first week, BIRD BOX had the best opening-week numbers of any title Nielsen has measured saved for STRANGER THINGS 2, which edged it by less than 1 million viewers. BRIGHT was more popular on its opening day, with 5.4 million viewers but faded as the days went on, as opposed to BIRD BOX which grew and grew. Anyhow, all of this means that, yeah, BIRD BOX is a hit. Do with that info what you will.
For those who might not know, the Netflix original film begins:
When a mysterious force decimates the population, only one thing is certain — if you see it, you die. The survivors must now avoid coming face to face with an entity that takes the form of their worst fears. Searching for hope and a new beginning, a woman and her children embark on a dangerous journey through the woods and down a river to find the one place that may offer sanctuary. To make it, they'll have to cover their eyes from the evil that chases them — and complete the trip blindfolded.
BIRD BOX is directed by Susanne Bier from a screenplay written by Eric Heisserer (ARRIVAL) based on the book of the same name by Josh Malerman. Chris Morgan, Barbara Muschietti (STEPHEN KING'S IT), Scott Stuber, Dylan Clark, and Clayton Townsend produced. Bullock's costars include Trevante Rhodes, John Malkovich, Lil Rel Howery, Jacki Weaver, BD Wong, and Sarah Paulson. The movie is now streaming on Netflix.