‘Bland’ Netflix film that left critics cold becomes unlikely biggest film of 2024-Tori Brazier-Entertainment – Metro

The most popular film of 2024 on Netflix so far has been confirmed – and it’s not one you’d expect (Picture: Netflix)

It may have left critics underwhelmed, but a Netflix fantasy adventure film starring one of its brightest young talents has become the biggest film of 2024 so far on the streaming platform.

Damsel, starring newlywed Millie Bobby Brown, has just landed a place on the streamer’s list of overall most popular top 10 English-language films.

The film, which also includes Robin Wright, Angela Bassett and Ray Winstone among its cast, follows the Stranger Things star’s character Elodie as her marriage to a charming prince (Nick Robinson) turns into a fierce fight for survival when she’s offered up as a sacrifice to a fire-breathing dragon.

After releasing on March 8 to mixed reviews, some of which dubbed Damsel ‘bland’, ‘soulless’ and ‘a knock-off Hunger Games’, the movie was still watched a combined 86,100,000 during its first 10 days on Netflix, sitting at number one on Tudum’s global top 10 films list for two weeks.

It also managed to spend a further four weeks on that global chart, as well as reaching the individual top 10 films list in 93 different countries.

But now the princess-centred flick has moved even further into the big leagues, as it captured eighth place on Netflix’s list of most popular English films.

The chart is based on a film’s number of views during its first 91 days on Netflix, with Damsel the only film released in 2024 to grace the list so far.

In 87 days of streaming, it has managed to claim a whopping 137.2 million views.

This puts it above Rian Johnson’s star-studded sequel Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, which is at number 10 on 136.3m.

‘I am beyond thrilled to see Damsel reach Netflix’s Top 10!’ Brown told Deadline. 

‘I’d like to share a heartfelt thank you to the fans – it is incredibly rewarding to witness so many people enjoying the film and connecting with its story and strong female lead. Here’s to many more adventures together!’

Millie Bobby Brown’s movie Damsel has entered the top 10 most popular films list on Netflix (Picture: Netflix/Alamy)

The star, pictured with director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, had her performance generally praised but the film has had mixed-to-bad reviews (Picture: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo added that ‘the most gratifying reward about this massive success is to see how Damsel has become an iconic movie for a new generation’.

Damsel is at a middling but rotten 57% on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, which is based on critics. It tips into slightly safer territory with a 60% rating from its audience score.

‘Too childish and shallow for adults, yet too brutal and gory for kids, this is one Damsel that really does need saving, after all,’ declared Empire magazine in its two-star review, while The Indian Express went one lower in its rating, observing: ‘[Damsel is] among the worst big-budget projects on the streamer’s crowded roster. And this is saying something.’

However, others were more entertained, with Vulture dubbing it ‘sweaty, snarly fun’, adding: ‘More than a fantasy adventure, Damsel is a grisly and at times even touching tale of endurance and survival.’

Netflix star Brown played Princess Elodie in Damsel (Picture: John Wilson/Netflix)

While other films like The Gray Man, Bird Box and Don’t Look Up are all ahead of Damsel on Netflix’s top 10 most popular list – and boast up to 171.4m views – it’s Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot’s Red Notice, released in 2021, that is comfortably ahead.

It’s at the top with 230.9m views, almost 60m ahead of its nearest competition.

After her breakout success playing Eleven in smash-hit show Stranger Things since 2016, 20-year-old Brown has also starred in and produced two Enola Holmes movies, with her as the teenage sister of the already-famous Sherlock (Henry Cavill).

Damsel is streaming on Netflix now.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More