What Film Gets the Best Awards Boost at iTunes? That’s ‘Anora’
“Moana 2” (Disney) predictably is #1 on both iTunes and Fandango’s top 10 VOD charts in its second week. But most notable? How “Anora” (Neon) is surging not only in its Oscar Best Picture chances but also on VOD.
Meantime, the Amy Schumer-starring rom-com “Kinda Pregnant,” positioned to score for Valentine’s Day ahead, is #1 this week at Netflix. It leads a top 10 chart otherwise mostly comprised of studio library comedies.
Sean Baker’s film has ranked now for seven weeks, an unusually long run. With staged price levels (initially, the standard initial $19.99, then reduced to $9.99, now $5.99 to rent), the Palme d’Or winner has reached its highest ranking yet: now #3 at iTunes.
In theaters, “Anora” ranked among the top 10 movies for two weeks, highest at seventh place. The sex-worker screwball dramedy is performing far better at home than its $15 million total gross through this weekend would suggest — apart from its Oscar nomination boost. Its price reduction kept it from making Fandango’s top 10 (unlike iTunes, they rank by revenue, which favors $19.99 rentals; only “Gladiator II” is listed this week among reduced-price titles). “Anora” initially ranked at Fandango when it rented for $19.99.
“Sing Sing” (A24), another Oscar nominee, had an extremely long window of more than six months, two months longer than “Oppenheimer.” The film recently debuted at home to minimal interest. Despite a Best Actor nomination for Colman Domingo, the correctional facility drama is currently #31 at iTunes, though not in Fandango’s top 10 despite its $19.99 price.
Why the long delay? The film had a weak theatrical run ($2.7 million) last summer despite considerable effort on A24’s part. It’s possible the company hoped for a bigger nomination haul (it was considered a strong contender to make the Best Picture list) to justify the re-release before home availability.
“September 5” (Paramount), another film that just missed a Best Picture nomination and also disappointed theatrically ($2.5 million), also debuted with a stronger response. The newsroom thriller set during the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis is currently #7 at iTunes (it got to #4 last week) and #9 for the week at Fandango. “Wolf Man” (Universal), a major theatrical disappointment by comparison, is no longer in iTunes’ top 10 despite being #3 at Fandango. The Blumhouse horror movie ($20 million domestic) only got as high as #8 on iTunes before dropping off.
Holdovers “Wicked” (Universal), “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” (Paramount), and “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” (Lionsgate) all rank between #2 and #5 on both charts.
“Kinda Pregnant” comes from Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison productions. It’s the fourth Netflix original directed by his nephew Tyler Spindel (a Harvard graduate who started in stand-up comedy) and marks Schumer’s Netflix debut. Despite Schumer’s strong promise as a potential film personality, the dearth of comedy in theatrical releases has meant her talent mostly has been showcased on cable and streaming services.
Comedy seems to understandably be in demand at the moment at Netflix, with nine of its top 10 (including three animated titles) qualifying. Tops among them is 2018’s “Uncle Drew.” Also included: “Richie Rich” from 1994 at #9. A 31-year-old title is extremely rare on this Netflix list.
Top 10s
iTunes ranks films daily by number of transactions, while Fandango at Home lists by revenue. The listings below are for Monday, February 2 (iTunes) and the week of February 3-9 (Fandango).
The distributors listed are current rights owners. Prices for all titles are for lowest for either rental or download.
iTunes
1. Moana 2 (Disney) – $24.99
2. Wicked (Universal) – $19.99
3. Anora (Neon) – $5.99
4. Den of Thieves 2: Pantera (Lionsgate) – $19.99
5. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Paramount) – $19.99
6. The Substance (MUBI) – $5.99
7. September 5 (Paramount) – $19.99
8. Babygirl (A24) – $19.99
9. Gladiator II (Paramount) – $5.99
10. Nosferatu (Focus) – $19.99
Fandango at Home
1. Moana 2 (Disney) – $24.99
2. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Paramount) – $19.99
3. Wolf Man (Universal) – $19.99
4. Den of Thieves 2: Pantera (Lionsgate) – $19.99
5. Wicked (Universal) – $19.99
6. Gladiator II (Paramount) – $5.99
7. Nosferatu (Focus) – $19.99
8. Kraven the Hunter (Universal) – $19.99
9. September 5 (Paramount) – $19.99
10. Venom: The Last Dance (Sony) – $5.99
Netflix Movies
These are the most-viewed, current rankings on Netflix’s domestic daily chart on February 10. Originals include both Netflix-produced and acquired titles it initially presents in the U.S. Netflix publishes its own worldwide weekly (and individual country) top 10s on Tuesdays based on time viewed, and usually includes films for which it doesn’t have domestic rights.
1. Kinda Pregnant (Netflix original)
2. Uncle Drew (2018 theatrical release)
3. The Menu (2022 theatrical release)
4. Miss Congeniality (2000 theatrical release)
5. Back in Action (Netflix original)
6. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014 theatrical release)
7. How to Train Your Dragon (2010 theatrical release)
8. Fallen (2017 theatrical release)
9. Richie Rich (1994 theatrical release)
10. Minions (2015 theatrical release)
