Netflix has found a winning formula in mid-budget genre films, and its latest sci-fi thriller, The Last House, is proving that audiences are hungry for high-concept stories even when critics aren't impressed. The movie, which premiered on August 7, has quietly become a massive hit, racking up over 1.6 billion minutes watched in just five weeks.
According to the latest Nielsen streaming data, covering the week of August 10-16, The Last House topped the charts for the second consecutive week, pulling in more than 850 million minutes in that period alone. That's a slight uptick from its debut week, showing that word-of-mouth is keeping viewers glued to their screens. The film stars Wagner Moura and Greta Lee, and unfolds in a world where a mysterious apocalyptic event traps everyone inside their homes, forcing them to survive without ever stepping outside.
Directed by Louis Leterrier, known for his action-packed blockbusters, The Last House has not been kind to critics. It currently holds a dismal 23% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus calling it "a repetitive narrative that wastes its capable cast." But that hasn't stopped audiences from flocking to it, a trend that's becoming increasingly common for Netflix's mid-tier releases.
This year, the streamer has seen a string of similar successes, including The Rip, Apex, Thrash, and Swapped, all of which have crossed the coveted 100 million-view mark. Alan Ritchson's War Machine even cracked the platform's all-time top 10. The Last House is on track to join that elite club, with roughly 80 million views already logged.
Netflix's pivot away from mega-budget tentpoles has been a strategic one, and it's paying off. By focusing on genre films with solid hooks and recognizable stars, the streamer is delivering consistent hits without the massive price tags. The Last House is a prime example of this approach, and its success suggests that audiences are more interested in compelling premises than critical acclaim.
Meanwhile, Netflix has already released another potential hit: The Whisper Man, starring Adam Scott, Robert De Niro, and Michelle Monaghan. In just two weeks, it's amassed nearly 60 million views, further cementing the streamer's dominance in the mid-budget space.
For those looking for more sci-fi thrills, check out our list of Prime Video shows that hook you instantly. And if you're in the mood for a deep dive into Netflix's original programming, our analysis of Pantheon might be your next binge.
The latest Nielsen report also highlighted the streaming debut of the Michael Jackson biopic Michael on Starz, which finished fourth overall with 275 million minutes watched. As Netflix continues to churn out these genre gems, it's clear that the streaming wars are being won one mid-budget hit at a time.
