With ‘Uncharted’ and ‘Spider-Man’ on Top of VOD Charts, Sony Looks Good Without a Streamer
Tom Brueggemann
Sony ruled for another week as “Uncharted” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (both $19.99) each had #1 showings: The video game adaptation is #1 at iTunes and Vudu (the latter calculating by revenue, not by transactions), while the massive Marvel hit took top spot at Google Play.
This reinforces the strategic wisdom of two Sony decisions: the extended theatrical window for both films (far longer than the now-standard 45 days) and relying on PVOD rather than the increasingly costly and competitive realm of in-house streaming. It also maintains flexibility, with the Marvel underachiever “Morbius” arriving on PVOD release May 17. Sony seems to key its releases to when theatrical viability wanes.
Tomorrow will see “The Lost City” (Paramount/$19.99) on PVOD and Paramount+. As with “The Batman,” the studio’s PR announcement pushed streaming. The Sandra Bullock/Channing Tatum romantic adventure could make the $100 million domestic mark ($94 million through the weekend), which can deotermine film rental settlements with theaters.
Both “The Bad Guys” (Universal) and “The Northman” (Focus) just played their third weekends. Both, per normal practice with their companies, are expected to be released on PVOD by this Friday. “Bad Guys” made nearly $10 million this weekend for #2 overall and a 40 percent drop. “The Northman” fell more quickly (#6 this weekend, off 56 percent) and has the feel of a lucrative home performer.
Universal and Peacock remain an interesting study. The streamer is clearly a priority, with “Marry Me” in March and the “Firestarter” remake as Peackock-theatrical day-and-dates. Meanwhile, “Sing 2” has spent the last four months in the top 10 of all three PVOD charts and has yet to surface on Peacock. This suggests VOD remains a studio gold mine.
“Moonfall” (Lionsgate/$5.99, reduced price this week) and “Ambulance” (Universal/$19.99) round out the five titles listed on all charts. A minimal 14 different films charted in total, with Japanese animated release “Belle” (GKids/$14.99) the sole new entry.
Of note: “The Batman” (Warner Bros./$24.99) is no longer on all three charts. It dropped off of iTunes’ top 10 after less than a month. Even with the elevation of its higher price, it’s #5 at Vudu. Its availability on HBO Max, early showing on HBO cable, and its premium price made the PVOD alternatives more attractive.
At the embattled Netflix, the two top films were “U.S. Marshall,” the 1998 sequel to “The Fugitive,” and 2018 Gerald Butler bank heist thriller “Den of Thieves.” Both are new to the site.
Behind them are the just-released “The Takedown” with “Lupin” star Omar Sy, directed by Louis Leterrier (just announced as Justin Lin’s replacement for “Fast X”) At #4 is Netflix Original summer romance “Along for the Ride.” Of note, among other new theatrical presentations, “Happy Gilmore” at #6 edges out “Forrest Gump.”
iTunes and Google Play rank films daily by number of transactions. These are the listings for May 8. Distributors listed are current rights owners.
iTunes
1. Uncharted (Sony) – $19.99
2. Spider-Man: No Way Home (Sony) – $5.99
3. Moonfall (Lionsgate) – $5.99
4. Blacklight (Open Road) – $5.99
5. Sing 2 (Universal) – $5.99
6. Ambulance (Universal) – $19.99
7. Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Sony) – $2.99
8. Jackass Forever (Paramount) – $5.99
9. Dog (United Artists) – $19.99
10. Infinite (Paramount) – $2.99
Google Play
1. Spider-Man: No Way Home (Sony) – $5.99
2. Uncharted (Sony) – $19.99
3. Moonfall (Lionsgate) – $5.99
4. Sing 2 (Universal) – $5.99
5. Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Sony) – $5.99
6. Ambulance (Universal) – $19.99
7. The Batman (Warner Bros.) – $24.99
8. Jackass Forever (Paramount) – $4.99
9. Infinite (Paramount) – $2.99
10. Belle (GKids) – $14.99
Vudu
Vudu ranks by revenue, not transactions, which elevates Premium VOD titles. This list covers May 1-7
1. Uncharted (Sony) – $19.99
2. Ambulance (Universal) – $19.99
3. Moonfall (Lionsgate) – $5.99
4. Spider-Man: No Way Home (Sony) – $5.99
5. The Batman (Warner Bros.) – $24.99
6. Dog (United Artists) – $19.99
7. Blacklight (Open Road) – $5.99
8. X (A24) – $19.99
9. Sing 2 (Universal) – $5.99
10. The Contractor (Paramount) – $19.99
Netflix Movies
Most viewed, current ranking on Netflix’s daily chart on Monday, May 9; originals include both Netflix-produced and -acquired titles they initially presented in the U.S. Netflix publishes its own weekly top ten on Tuesdays based on time viewed.
1. U.S. Marshals (1998 theatrical release)
2. Den of Thieves (2018 theatrical release)
3. The Takedown (2022 Netflix original movie))
4. Along for the Ride (2022 Netflix original movie)
5. The Gentlemen (2020 theatrical release)
6. Happy Gilmore (1996 theatrical release)
7. Forrest Gump (1993 theatrical release)
8. Marmaduke (2022 Netflix animated original movie)
9. 42 (2013 theatrical release)
10. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008 theatrical release)
