Timothée Chalamet's polarizing A24 drama Marty Supreme has proven that controversy can be a box office goldmine. The Josh Safdie-directed ping-pong epic, which divided critics and audiences alike, became A24's highest-grossing movie ever both domestically and worldwide during its theatrical run. Now, it's repeating that success on streaming, debuting as the most-watched film on HBO Max in the U.S. since its arrival on April 24.
The film's journey to streaming glory wasn't without its bumps. At the 98th Academy Awards, Marty Supreme entered as a frontrunner with nine nominations, including Best Actor for Chalamet. However, a series of missteps—including odd marketing choices and Chalamet's controversial remarks about other art forms—saw his odds plummet. On Oscar night, Michael B. Jordan took home the trophy for his role in Ryan Coogler's vampire hit Sinners, while Marty Supreme walked away empty-handed.
Despite the awards snub, the film's streaming debut has been nothing short of phenomenal. HBO Max subscribers have flocked to the film, making it the platform's top title in the U.S. Globally, it trails only the action sequel Den of Thieves 2: Pantera. This streaming surge echoes a trend seen with other divisive films, such as Ridley Scott's Alien: Covenant, which found new life on HBO Max after a mixed theatrical reception.
For Chalamet, the Marty Supreme saga is just one chapter in a remarkable year. Later in 2026, he returns to the big screen in the highly anticipated Dune: Part Three, the final installment of Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi trilogy. The film, set for release on December 18, will go head-to-head with Avengers: Doomsday, promising a box office showdown. Chalamet will reprise his role as Paul Atreides alongside an ensemble cast including Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, and Anya Taylor-Joy.
The success of Marty Supreme on HBO Max also highlights the growing power of streaming to revive and amplify films that may have been overlooked during their theatrical runs. As audiences continue to discover the film at home, its cultural footprint only grows. For those who missed it in theaters, now is the perfect time to see what all the fuss—and the controversy—was about.
With Chalamet's star power undimmed and Dune: Part Three on the horizon, Marty Supreme stands as a testament to the actor's ability to draw crowds, even when the awards don't go his way. Whether you love it or hate it, this A24 record-breaker is impossible to ignore.
