‘The Emoji Movie,’ Once Panned as the Worst, Is Now Netflix’s #1 Film

The #1 movie of 2024, “Inside Out 2”, along with “Despicable Me 4” at #3, and “Kung Fu Panda” at #7, signal a strong showing for animated features. Notably, Universal’s “Despicable Me 4”, released on PVOD last week, quickly topped charts on both iTunes and Fandango. Despite its fifth-place ranking in theaters, it still raked in an additional $8 million, bringing its total to $330 million. The success might be partly due to effective home viewing marketing.

Interestingly, Sony’s 2017 “The Emoji Movie” has found unexpected success. Despite harsh reviews and a low Metacritic score of 12, it grossed $217 million worldwide. The film debuted on Netflix this past weekend, jumping straight to #1, proving once again that audiences enjoy fresh-feeling animation.

Netflix’s current list features several animated films, including “Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie” (a Netflix original), “Trolls Band Together”, and “The Lorax”. However, the long-standing “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”, absent from the top 10 for six days, might have finally run its course.

This week, “Despicable Me 4” was the sole new entrant in the VOD top 10. “A Quiet Place: Day One” (Paramount) slipped to second place on iTunes and Fandango. This week, expect a shake-up as “Twisters” (Warner Bros.) debuts on Tuesday, likely seizing the top spot. Disney’s “Inside Out 2” releases next week and, along with “Despicable Me 4”, will probably dominate the charts for some time.

Netflix’s top 10 also includes two Tom Cruise-starred Jack Reacher films. “Saving Bikini Bottom” and the documentary “Inside the Mind of a Dog” are the only two originals making the list. “Inside the Mind of a Dog” secured the third position, showcasing the diverse interests of Netflix viewers.

iTunes:

1. Despicable Me 4 (Universal) – $19.99

2. A Quiet Place: Day One (Sony) – $19.99

3. The Fall Guy (Universal) – $5.99

4. Bad Boys: Ride or Die (Sony) – $19.99

5. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (Lionsgate) – $9.99

6. Civil War (A24) – $4.99

7. The Twisters (Global Asylum) – $3.99

8. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (WB) – $9.99

9. Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 (WB) – $19.99

10. The Garfield Movie (Sony) – $14.99

Fandango at Home:

1. Despicable Me 4 (Universal) – $19.99

2. A Quiet Place: Day One (Paramount) – $19.99

3. Bad Boys: Ride or Die (Sony) – $19.99

4. The Garfield Movie (Sony) – $14.99

5. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (Lionsgate) – $5.99

6. IF (Paramount) – $5.99

7. Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 (WB) – $19.99

8. The Fall Guy (Universal) – $5.99

9. MaXXXine (A24) – $19.99

10. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (WB) – $9.99

Here are Netflix’s most-viewed titles in its domestic daily chart on Monday, August 12:

1. The Emoji Movie (2017 theatrical release)

2. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016 theatrical release)

3. Inside the Mind of a Dog (Netflix original documentary)

4. Night School (2018 theatrical release)

5. Jack Reacher (2012 theatrical release)

6. Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (2024 Netflix original animated film)

7. Trolls Band Together (2023 theatrical release)

8. White Chicks (2002 theatrical release)

9. Mr. Deeds (2002 theatrical release)

10. The Lorax (2012 theatrical release)