Netflix scores big with Thrash, but Beef Season 2 is off to a weak start

Thrash dominates Netflix: Why shark movies keep winning with audiences

It looks like audiences can’t get enough shark movies on Netflix. Fresh off the success of Under Paris—still Netflix’s second most popular non-English language film of all time—Thrash, which combines sharks and a hurricane, easily topped the platform’s charts this week.

With an estimated 34.5 million views, Thrash debuted on par with Alan Ritchson’s War Machine back in March. While reviews—including our own—haven’t been especially strong, that hasn’t slowed its momentum. Director Tommy Wirkola’s film was originally set for a theatrical release via Sony, but the studio ultimately sold it to Netflix—a move that now looks like a smart one. Star Phoebe Dynevor’s popularity from Bridgerton likely helped drive strong viewership among subscribers.

Why Beef Season 2 had a slow start on Netflix

One surprise this week is the muted debut of Beef Season 2. Despite a high-profile cast that includes Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan, the series only managed to land in tenth place on Netflix’s Global TV chart.

Critical reception has also dipped slightly. The second season holds an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to the near-universal acclaim of Season 1, which scored 98% and starred Steven Yeun and Ali Wong. That said, our critic Alex Maidy still gave the new season a positive review.

True crime pulls viewers: False Prophet gains traction

Instead of Beef, audiences appear more drawn to true crime content. The documentary False Prophet has been gaining traction, focusing on the disturbing crimes of FLDS leader Samuel Bateman. As the successor to Warren Jeffs, Bateman—like his predecessor—was ultimately imprisoned for years of systematic abuse.

Can Beef Season 2 recover?

While Beef Season 2’s debut may seem disappointing, TV performance on Netflix can be unpredictable. Strong word of mouth could help it build an audience over time.

However, anthology series face a unique challenge. Because each season tells a new story with different characters, they don’t benefit from the same built-in audience loyalty as traditional continuing series. In many ways, each season has to win over viewers from scratch.

Have you watched Thrash or Beef Season 2?

Did you check out Thrash or Beef Season 2 yet? Let us know what you thought in the comments.