Madame Web, although falling short of expectations from the Marvel universe, penned an entirely different story in the comfort of homes. According to Bloomberg data, the movie became Sony's most-watched production on Netflix in 2024. Despite being panned by critics in the cinema, it found its audience in living rooms. In short, even though the box office said 'no dice,' the film found new life in the digital realm.
Source: Independent
On the criticism front, the situation was harsh; the critic score on Rotten Tomatoes was a mere 10%, while the audience rating lingered at 53%. The reasons for this downfall were attributed to 'weak dialogue', 'underdeveloped characters', and a 'disjointed narrative'.
Despite box office performance, rapid digital access, curiosity, and famous names have boosted interest. Dakota Johnson takes the lead role, portraying a healthcare worker with psychic abilities in New York. The cast also includes popular names such as Sydney Sweeney and Isabela Merced. The director's chair is occupied by S.J. Clarkson, known from the world of series; the screenplay bears the signatures of Clarkson, Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, and Claire Parker.
Produced with a budget of around 80 million dollars, the film quickly entered the 'film worth a shot' category on the platform, even if it didn't hit its target in the cinema. Home viewers were more willing to complete the film without the pressure of time and expectation. The upward trend in the digital chart was influenced not only by brand curiosity and star power, but also by 'easy access'. Consequently, Madame Web has been archived as one of the rare Marvel titles that compensated for its box office loss digitally.