Though they’ve worked together only once (the animated “Happy Feet”), Australian director George Miller and recent AFI Life Achievement Award winner Nicole Kidman share a distinction this week. Both of their most recent films lead on respective home viewing charts.
For Warner Bros. and Miller, the #1 status for the newly released “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” is positive news after its very disappointing theatrical results ($169 million worldwide, only $67 million U.S./Canada). But even more than a normal high-return PVOD release, it is available for a $24.99 digital purchase price rather than the standard initial $19.99 rental.
Kidman has provided an eclectic filmography that spans from Jane Campion and Lars von Trier to “Batman Forever” and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” Her latest, rom-com “A Family Affair” where she credibly plays at the age of 57 the love interest for Zac Efron, testifies to a star quality along with enduring talent. A Netflix original, it started as #1 this weekend and could be there for a while.
“Furiosa” replaced “IF” (Paramount), the nearly-twice as big domestically family film from John Krasinski after it had one week atop both charts. It currently #2 at Fandango (which lists by revenue) and #3 at iTunes (transaction based).
Three other recent releases also found spots on at least one of the top 10s. “The Watchers” (WB), a weak-performing horror film, was made available only three weeks after it hit theaters. Fandango lists it #5, iTunes #8. “In a Violent Nature” (IFC), a low-budget Canadian slasher film that debuted at Sundance 2024, is #9 at iTunes (for a $6.99 rental), while the Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar winning “The Boy and the Heron” is #8 at Fandango. That’s an almost seven month window for the film, very unusual, and possibly influenced by not wanting to be too far ahead of Japanese home viewing.
“A Family Affair,” directed by Richard LaGravenese (whose writing credits include “The Fisher King,” “Bridges of Madison County,” and “Behind the Candelabra,” as well as directing “Freedom Writers”), is one of four Netflix originals among its top 10. “Trigger Warning,” #1 last week, is now second. “Hit Man” is #8 (the best fourth week performance for any original since “Leave the World Behind”), while the documentary “Hate to Love…Nickelback” is #9.
“The Flash,” the DC Comics film that opened exactly a year ago, is the latest WB title to play Netflix post-Max. It got up to #2 during the week, now fourth. And once again, animation at home during vacation is strong. Five of the top 10 titles are cartoons, led by #3 “Minions.”
Top 10s
iTunes ranks films daily by number of transactions, while Fandango at Home lists by revenue. The listings below are for Monday, July 1 (iTunes) and the week of June 24-30 (Fandango).
The distributors listed are current rights owners. Prices for all titles are for lowest for either rental or download.
iTunes
1. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (WB) – $24.99
2. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Sony) – $5.99
3.IF (Paramount) – $19.99
4. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (WB) – $3.99
5. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (Lionsgate) – $9.99
6. Civil War (A24) – $19.99
7. The Fall Guy (Universal) – $19.99
8. The Watchers (WB) – $19.99
9. In a Violent Nature (IFC) – $6.99
10. Fifty Shades Darker (Universal) – $3.99
Fandango at Home
1. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (WB) – $24.99
2. IF (Par) – $19.99
3. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (WB) – $3.99
4. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Sony) – $5.99
5. The Watchers (WB) – $19.99
6. Civil War (A24) – $19.99
7. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (Lionsgate) – $9.99
8. The Boy and the Heron (GKids) – $14.99
9. The Fall Guy (Universal) – $24.99
10. Abigail (Universal) – $19.99
Netflix Movies
These are the most-viewed, current rankings on Netflix’s domestic daily chart on Monday, July 1. 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. A Family Affair (Netflix original)
2. Trigger Warning (Netflix original)
3. Minions (2015 theatrical release)
4. The Flash (2023 theatrical release)
5. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023 theatrical release)
6. Shrek (2001 theatrical release)
7. Home (2015 theatrical release)
8. Hit Man (Netflix original)
9. Hate to Love…Nickelback (Netlix original documentary)
10. The Boss Baby (2017 theatrical release)
