Netflix Finally Does It: With Jeremy Saulnier’s ‘Rebel Ridge,’ a Small-Scale Original Hits #1
Maybe there’s hope for quality Netflix originals apart from its awards contenders. “Rebel Ridge,” a topical thriller about an ex-Marine confronting a corrupt small-town sheriff, is #1 at Netflix. It stars Aaron Pierre — who stepped into the role after John Boyega walked off the production in June 2021. A respected actor and ascendant star, Pierre is not a household name like Mark Wahlberg or Adam Sandler or Eddie Murphy, all of whom recently took Netflix originals to #1.
Nor is it a flashy drama, or a big-budget production. Its director, Jeremy Saulnier, most recently directed “Hold the Dark” for Netflix in 2018 (along with a couple of episodes of “True Detective”). IndieWire has watched his career for years, but directors like these also have wound up at Netflix making films that lack edginess or creativity. This seems like a happy exception. Its success suggests that well-crafted stories driven by substantial characters can be popular, particularly when few are made for theaters.
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VOD saw no new major releases this week beyond Focus’ “Didi,” a current specialized success. (It debuted at #31 on iTunes.) “Twisters” (Warner Bros.) leads iTunes (which ranks by transactions), while “Inside Out 2” (Disney) tops Fandango, which counts by revenue. The Pixar title rents for $24.99, while “Twisters” is the standard $19.99.
The #2 title on iTunes was the 1988 “Beetlejuice” (WB), concurrent to the sequel’s huge opening weekend. The $3.99 rental is disadvantaged at Fandango, but still managed to make #8 there. M. Night Shyamalan’s “Trap” (WB) is second at Fandango.
Previous #1 title “Bad Boys for Life” (Sony) is finding new business at $5.99 with third place on iTunes, #6 at Fandango. Will Smith’s film overperformed in initial home viewings compared to its strong theatrical performance; it even spent last Saturday at #1.
Other recent #1 originals on Netflix remain in its top 10. Lee Daniels’ “The Deliverance,” #1 last week, is third now. “The Union” with Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry, is now #9. “Edge of Tomorrow” with Tom Cruise, just added to their stock, is best of older theatrical titles at #2.
Top 10s
iTunes ranks films daily by number of transactions, while Fandango at Home lists by revenue. The listings below are for Monday, September 9 (iTunes) and the week of September 2-8 (Fandango).
The distributors listed are current rights owners. Prices for all titles are for lowest for either rental or download.
iTunes
1. Twisters (Universal) – $19.99
2. Beetlejuice(WB) – $3.99
3. Bad Boys for Life (Sony) – $5.99
4. Inside Out 2 (Disney) – $24.99
5. Trap (WB) – $19.99
6. Despicable Me 4 (Universal) – $19.99
7. Longlegs (Neon) – $19.99
8. The Civil War (A24) – $5.99
9. The Garfield Movie (Sony) – $5.99
10. The Fall Guy (Universal) – $5.99
Fandango at Home
1. Inside Out 2 (Disney) – $24.99
2. Trap (WB) – $19.99
3. Twisters (Universal) – $19.99
4. Borderlands (Lionsgate) – $19.99
5. Despicable Me 4 (Universal) – $19.99
6. Bad Boys: Ride or Die (Sony) – $5.99
7. Longlegs (Neon) – $19.99
8. Beetlejuice (WB) – $3.99
9. Horizon — An American Saga: Part One (WB) – $5.99
10. The Garfield Movie (Sony) – $5.99
Netflix Movies
These are the most-viewed, current rankings on Netflix’s domestic daily chart on Monday, September 9. 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.
1. Rebel Ridge (Netflix original)
2. Edge of Tomorrow (2014 theatrical release)
3. The Deliverance (Netflix original)
4. Sonic the Hedgehog (2020 theatrical release)
5. Shark Tale (2004 theatrical release)
6. The Rundown (2003 theatrical release)
7. Migration (2023 theatrical release)
8. Aloha (2015 theatrical release)
9. The Union (Netflix original)
10. Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005 theatrical release)
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