The streaming landscape has a new champion. Olivia Wilde's psychological relationship thriller The Invite, starring Seth Rogen and Edward Norton, has officially taken over HBO Max, becoming the platform's most-watched movie in the United States. The film's popularity isn't confined to one platform either—it's also the top movie on Paramount+ in Australia, proving its global appeal.
This surge in streaming success comes on the heels of a remarkable theatrical run earlier this year. The Invite, a remake of the Spanish-language comedy The People Upstairs, has been a critical and commercial darling. With a modest production budget of $15 million, it has grossed over $60 million worldwide, with $26 million from domestic theaters and $34 million from international markets. Its opening weekend saw it debut in sixth place at the box office, even outperforming the horror hit Obsession in its first frame.
The film's cast is a major draw. Alongside Rogen and Norton, Penélope Cruz delivers a standout performance, and Wilde herself steps in front of the camera. This marks Wilde's third directorial effort, following her acclaimed debut Booksmart and the divisive Don't Worry Darling. With The Invite, she has crafted a tense, character-driven thriller that has resonated with audiences and critics alike.
As awards season heats up, The Invite is quietly building momentum as a potential dark horse in the Best Picture race. While Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey remains the front-runner, and the documentary You Can See Everything is making history as a possible first-ever Best Picture nominee for a doc, Wilde's film is one of several titles gaining traction. Others include Elsinore with Andrew Scott, La Bola Negra from Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, Martin McDonagh's Wild Horse Nine, and Cristian Mungiu's Fjord.
For fans of the genre, The Invite fits neatly into the pantheon of recent psychological thrillers that have captivated audiences. If you're looking for more in this vein, check out our list of the best psychological thrillers of the 2020s. And for those who appreciate a good crime thriller, Ray Donovan on Paramount+ offers a gritty alternative.
The success of The Invite on streaming is a testament to the power of word-of-mouth and the enduring appeal of smart, adult-oriented filmmaking. As more viewers discover it on HBO Max, its cultural footprint is only set to grow. Whether it will translate into Oscar gold remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: The Invite is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted thriller.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for the latest streaming news and updates on the awards season race.
