Despite this week seeing February transition into March, with Spring now on its way, the last vestiges of Winter remain. This means that Netflix viewers are enjoying the last chance to stay wrapped up in front of a movie before we’re all implored to be outside of the house because of the sun. With that in mind, and Valentine’s Day now a distant memory, Netflix’s ten most popular films this week are a mixed bunch.
At the top of the pile is the supernatural comedy horror, We Have a Ghost, with 40.47 million hours viewed this week. Boasting an all-star cast that features the likes of David Harbour, Jahi Winston, Tig Notaro, Jennifer Coolidge and Anthony Mackie, it tells the story of a family who move into a haunted house, known by some as “the house of death”. They eventually meet ghostly resident Ernest, who they help evade the CIA and achieve peace.
In the second place, and falling way behind the top spot, is Nathaniel Martello-White’s thriller, The Strays, with 28.78 million hours watched this week. Likened to Jordan Peele’s Get Out and Michael Haneke’s Funny Games, it stars Ashley Madekwe as Neve, a light-skinned Black woman who resides in an eerily idyllic suburb with her family, and is stalked by two strangers who make her life hell. A commentary on social dynamics and internalised racism, it is based on a true story that Martello-White’s mum allegedly told him about “generational trauma”.
Close behind in third is the Aston Kutcher and Reese Witherspoon rom-com, Your Place or Mine. With 22.29 million hours watched this week, it’s something of a throwback to the glory days of rom-com, which tells the story of two best friends who gradually realise that they are perfect for each other romantically. Lauren Neustader, the president of film and TV at Witherspoon’s media company, explained the film’s intentions to Variety: “What we always intended to make was a really premium romantic comedy that would resonate with an audience that wanted to watch a movie that would bring them joy.”
Elsewhere in the chart are a real mixture of styles, although there is a clear penchant for action. Revenge flick Army of One sits in fourth place with the historical drama, The Woman King, starring Viola Davis and Lashana Lynch, sitting behind it in fifth. Sat in the bottom half of the list are 2 Guns, Jurassic World, Mission: Impossible – Fallout and Bad Boys for Life.
Then, carrying over from last week, the animated family feature, Minions: The Rise of Gru, sits at ninth with 6.27 million hours viewed. The 2022 comedy adventure features the voices of Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, and Alan Arkin. It charts how a young Gru became the supervillain from the Despicable Me franchise.
The 10 most popular films on Netflix this week:
- We Have a Ghost
- The Strays
- Your Place or Mine
- Army of One
- The Woman King
- 2 Guns
- Jurassic World
- Mission: Impossible – Fallout
- Minions: The Rise of Gru
- Bad Boys for Life
