It's a big moment for the Skarsgård family, with three brothers dominating screens in very different ways. Alexander Skarsgård is winning hearts in the fantasy romance Wicker, while Bill Skarsgård stars in a new World War II action film that's making headlines for more than just its cast. That movie, The Mosquito Bowl, marks a turning point for Netflix as the streamer officially begins reporting box-office figures for the first time.
Directed by Peter Berg, The Mosquito Bowl hit theaters in about 350 locations this past weekend, grossing $455,000. That's a per-theater average of roughly $1,300. While that might sound modest, it's a significant step for Netflix, which has traditionally kept its theatrical numbers under wraps. The film's total domestic haul has now crossed the $1 million mark, a milestone that comes as the streamer prepares for a slate of major theatrical releases.
In comparison, Netflix's other current theatrical release, the Spanish-language Oscar contender La Bola Negra, has been performing strongly in limited release. It expanded to 38 theaters and pulled in $418,000, bringing its own domestic total past $1 million. That film is being given a classic platform rollout, building buzz ahead of awards season.
Critics have been less kind to The Mosquito Bowl, which currently holds a 39% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Collider's Maggie Lovitt called it "an exceedingly by-the-books film that adds very little new to the canon of war epics." However, audiences seem to disagree, as the movie boasts a 92% audience score on the same platform—a promising sign for its eventual streaming debut.
Netflix is clearly betting big on theatrical releases. The Mosquito Bowl will land on the streamer on November 25, just two days after the IMAX debut of The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth. Next year, the company has two major theatrical titles lined up, including Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory. This shift toward reporting box office numbers signals a new era for the streaming giant, which has long been known for keeping its viewership data close to the chest.
For fans of the Skarsgård family, this is a golden age. Alexander's Wicker has become a word-of-mouth hit, while Bill's turn in The Mosquito Bowl adds another war epic to his résumé. And with Netflix's The Final Problem already generating buzz as a potential Knives Out successor, the streamer is clearly diversifying its theatrical strategy.
As Netflix continues to experiment with theatrical windows, all eyes will be on how The Mosquito Bowl performs in the coming weeks. Will its strong audience score translate to a successful streaming launch? Only time will tell, but for now, the streamer is making history by finally opening the books on its box office numbers.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story, and check out our list of Netflix miniseries that reward repeat viewings while you wait.
