If this pandemic has solidified anything, it’s our reliance on streaming to keep us entertained. We’ve seen Netflix, Amazon, and even Apple grow in prominence, as theater blockbusters have vanished, only to find blockbuster-sized films arrive on streaming platforms. But in this year that has seen these outlets dominate, what was the most watched movie of them all? The list might surprise you. Well, maybe the first two won’t, but number three almost certainly will.
Variety got hold of polling data from ScreenEngine/ASI, which “surveyed 1,200 U.S. video viewers age 13-64 weekly on which titles they’ve watched in the seven days following their release.” How did those numbers shake out? Well, Disney’s filmed version of Hamilton took the top spot as most-watched for 2020, followed by Borat 2.
But number three? Surprisingly, that was My Spy, the family-comedy starring Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman. That gave Amazon two of the top three spots, and I’m guessing they had no idea My Spy would be that much of a hit.
Netflix took thirteen of the thirty spots, giving them another impressive feather in the cap. Most of the films on the list debuted in March, which is when lockdowns started happening around the country. That isn’t a coincidence.
Seriously, though. My Spy! I quite enjoyed the movie, finding Bautista and Coleman to have tremendous chemistry, while the amount of action was balanced with just enough heart to give the big man a proper starring platform. There will probably be a sequel, and based on this info, Amazon/STX would be stupid not to.
The full list is below!
U.S. Top 30 Most-Watched SVOD Released Movies in 2020
1. HAMILTON – Disney+
2. BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM – Amazon Prime Video
3. MY SPY – Amazon Prime Video
4. EXTRACTION – Netflix
5. PHINEAS & FERB THE MOVIE: CANDACE AGAINST THE UNIVERSE – Disney+
6. MULAN – Disney+
7. THE OLD GUARD – Netflix
8. THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 – Netflix
9. THE WITCHES – HBO Max
10. THE LOVEBIRDS – Netflix
11. REBECCA – Netflix
12. PROJECT POWER – Netflix
13. ENOLA HOLMES – Netflix
14. BLACK IS KING – Disney+
15. MADEA’S FAREWELL PLAY – Amazon Prime Video
16. DA 5 BLOODS – Netflix
17. BAD HAIR – Hulu
18. ARTEMIS FOWL – Disney+
19. LOST GIRLS – Netflix
20. AN AMERICAN PICKLE – HBO Max
21. SPENSER CONFIDENTIAL – Netflix
22. THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME – Netflix
23. STARGIRL – Disney+
24. GREYHOUND – Apple TV+
25. HOLIDATE – Netflix
26. PALM SPRINGS – Hulu
27. THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN – Disney+
28. CLOUDS – Disney+
29. BLOW THE MAN DOWN – Amazon Prime Video
30. THE SLEEPOVER – Netflix