A prehistoric adventure film featuring a prominent X-Men actor has recently soared to success on Netflix, seven years after its original release. The X-Men franchise, which debuted in 2000, has welcomed a plethora of esteemed actors including Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, and Hugh Jackman, all of whom have significantly shaped the superhero genre. The franchise remains a cherished series for many fans, thanks in large part to its stellar casting choices. Additionally, the prequel films showcased rising stars like James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Jennifer Lawrence.
Released in 2019, Dark Phoenix marked the conclusion of McAvoy and his fellow cast members’ journeys within the X-Men universe. Despite this ending, most of the cast have continued to thrive in the film industry. Kodi Smit-McPhee, known for his portrayal of Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler in X-Men: Apocalypse and Dark Phoenix, has notably earned recognition for his acting prowess, including an Academy Award nomination for his role in The Power of the Dog. Prior to his involvement in the X-Men series, Smit-McPhee had already made a name for himself in films such as ParaNorman, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and Slow West.
Alpha’s Streaming Success Story
The 2018 Film Rises in Netflix’s Global Top 10
In 2018, as the excitement for Dark Phoenix built, Kodi Smit-McPhee took center stage in the evocative coming-of-age film Alpha, directed by Albert Hughes. This film vividly portrays the unlikely friendship that blossoms between a young man (Smit-McPhee) and a wolf during the harsh backdrop of the last ice age. The supporting cast includes Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Marcin Kowalczyk, Jens Hultén, and Mercedes de la Zerda. Upon its release, Alpha garnered over $99 million globally and was well-received by audiences, achieving an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 80%.
Now, seven years post-release, Alpha is enjoying renewed popularity on streaming platforms. As of the week of March 31 through April 6, the movie has impressively secured the #3 spot on the Netflix Global Top 10 chart, trailing only behind The Life List and One of Them Days. This places it ahead of Gerard Butler’s films Geostorm and Sniper: Rogue Mission. Other contenders rounding out the Top 10 list include The Core, Kraven: The Hunter, Con Mum, The Electric State, and Robinson Crusoe.
In the United States, Alpha ranks fourth in Netflix’s Top 10, surpassed only by Geostorm. Other notable films on the U.S. list feature Despicable Me 4, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, Jack the Giant Slayer, Draft Day, and The Croods. Beyond the U.S. borders, Alpha also appears in the Top 10 lists of Austria, Germany, Brazil, and the Bahamas.
Our Perspective on Alpha’s Netflix Success
A Chance to Offset Box Office Performance
The positive reception of Alpha on streaming platforms offers a chance to compensate for its modest box office performance and introduces a heartwarming story of Keda and his wolf to a broader audience. The film currently boasts a 71% score on Rotten Tomatoes’ fresh Popcornmeter, and with its availability on Netflix, more viewers may soon engage with one of the X-Men actor’s lesser-known performances. This highlights an advantageous aspect of streaming—shining a light on deserving films and providing recognition for the dedicated cast and crew behind Alpha.
Source: Netflix