Glass Onion becomes Netflix’s sixth biggest film debut

Rian Johnson‘s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery has been performing like gangbusters on Netflix since the film’s Christmas pre-game launch. According to new analytics, the comedic whodunit is the streaming platform’s sixth-biggest debut in Netflix history. Further details about Glass Onion reveal Netflix subscribers streamed the movie for 82.1 million hours in the first three days since the film’s December 23 release. While the hour count isn’t enough to crack Netflix’s Top 5, 82.1 million hours would have Mona Lisa smirking and then some.

Glass Onion is in good company on Netflix’s chart of most-watched films. In fifth place is Nora Fingscheidt’s The Unforgivable, starring Sandra Bullock and Viola Davis (85.86. million hours). The Russo Brothers’ film The Gray Man ranks fourth with 88.55 million hours viewed. Shawn Levy’s The Adam Project is in third place, starring Ryan Reynolds, Walker Scobell, and Mark Ruffalo, with 92.43 million hours. Adam McKay’s star-studded apocalypse comedy Don’t Look Up occupies the second spot with 111.03 million hours. Finally, Rawson Marshall Thurber’s Red Notice, starring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot, takes the crown with 148.72 million hours.

What sets Glass Onion apart from most of Netflix’s original features is the whodunit had a limited launch in theaters at three major chains (AMC Theatres, Cinemark Theatres, and Regal Cinemas). While Netflix is shy about reporting theatrical totals, The Hollywood Reporter says the film earned roughly $13 million over the holiday break. The movie played in 700 theaters, leaving a significant chunk of cinema real estate up for grabs. Unfortunately, if Netflix opted for a wide, it would have raked in a ton of cash, especially during the sleepy holiday weekend.

“There are all kinds of debates all the time, back and forth. But there is no question internally that we make our movies for our members, and we really want them to see them on Netflix,” Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said during an earnings call. “Most people watch movies at home.”

Do you think Netflix screwed up by not placing Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery in more theaters? Do subscriber viewing hours make more dollars than the box office for them? Feel free to let us know what you think in the comments section.