The silver screen has long been the ultimate proving ground, but for many films, the final verdict is not delivered in the plush seats of a cinema. Instead, a second chance awaits on streaming platforms like Netflix, a digital coliseum where audience appreciation often triumphs over critical consensus. In a fascinating case of post-theatrical redemption, an initial flop starring the legendary Robert De Niro has found a surprisingly successful new life in the Netflix top ten, proving that a film's journey is far from over once it leaves theaters.

The streaming giant provides a powerful second life for movies that underperformed during their initial theatrical run.

The comedy About My Father, starring Sebastian Maniscalco and Robert De Niro, faced a difficult time with its theatrical release in May 2023, grossing a modest worldwide total of approximately $18.2 Million. Despite its poor critical score, the film enjoyed a strong comeback on Netflix. It swiftly climbed onto the Global Top 10 Movies list, securing the 9th seat, according to Netflix Tudum.

Critics were largely unimpressed, assigning the film a low score of only 36% on Rotten Tomatoes, contradicting the 21,00,000 views released by Netflix's Tudum. The film's plot is a classic culture-clash comedy, centering on Sebastian, who must bring his old-school, immigrant Italian father, Salvo (De Niro), to a weekend with his fiancée’s wealthy, eccentric, and very American family. The streaming data demonstrates how a digital release can completely reverse a movie's initial misfortune.

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The movie’s new popularity is clear from its high ranking on the service’s Global Top 10. The rankings show a diverse range of genres and releases finding large audiences.

The presence of About My Father at number nine, alongside major blockbusters, for example, the top-ranking K-pop Demon Hunters, which immediately captured a massive audience, logging a remarkable 302 million hours viewed globally, shows the sheer range of Netflix and the audience's love for various genres. A classic action film, Man on Fire, demonstrates the enduring appeal of older content, securing the seventh spot with 75 million hours viewed and a runtime of over two hours.

The list also highlights the powerful recovery story of films that struggled in theaters, such as About My Father. Another family film includes Hop, with one million hours. The presence of new blockbusters like Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and family favorites such as Dog Man confirms that the Netflix Top 10 consistently blends massive franchises, original content, and surprising second-chance successes. The platform provides a valuable home for movies that might otherwise disappear quickly after a poor initial run.

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Have you watched Robert De Niro's About My Father yet? Let us know in the comments below.