A unique digital tug-of-war is unfolding as social media activism attempts to rewrite the algorithms of the world’s largest streaming giant, Netflix. The central question is why Becoming, a five-year-old documentary, is back in the global spotlight. This clash between digital hype and actual viewership data has created a fascinating discrepancy on screens this February, leaving behind a question: which data is accurate?

Is the sudden resurgence of this title driven by a calculated effort to influence public perception? 

As of early February 2026, the documentary titled Becoming is experiencing a significant surge in social media mentions despite its original release years ago. Supporters of the former First Lady are urging the public to play the Michelle Obama project on loop to secure a moral victory. Despite the social media noise, Becoming is completely absent from the official Netflix Top 10 for February 1, 2026, failing to beat out titles like The Rip or Eleanor the Great.

This sudden hype is a deliberate protest streaming effort intended to counter the theatrical debut of a new film about Melania Trump, Melania (2026).  This movement has gained momentum through influencers and community groups who view streaming as a form of political statement. High-profile figures like John Leguizamo have also joined the cause, posting on Instagram to encourage followers to make the documentary number one.

The campaign extends beyond just viewing hours and the actual data from the chart, as participants are also organizing efforts to boost the documentary's rating on IMDb. Many users are intentionally awarding the project ten out of ten stars while simultaneously downvoting the competing Melania Trump recent production, Melania (2026).

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Despite the intensity of this online fervour, the actual data tells a much more traditional story.

It is official that despite a massive social media push, Becoming is nowhere to be found on the Netflix Top 10. The Top 10 Movies list in the United States is currently led by titles such as The Rip and M3GAN 2.0. Other popular selections occupying the chart include Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart and Miracle: The Boys of '80, alongside Secret Mall Apartment and No Time to Die.

Even long-standing favorites like KPop Demon Hunters and Eleanor the Great maintain their positions, showing no sign of displacement by the activist campaign. In the television category, the heavyweights include Bridgerton, Mike Epps: Delusional, and the gripping drama HIS & HERS.

The list is rounded out by titles such as Free Bert, Skyscraper Live, and 11.22.63, proving that organic viewership remains the primary driver of success. While the social media conversation is loud, the quiet reality of millions of viewers suggests that traditional entertainment still reigns supreme over political streaming movements.

The kids’ charts are currently dominated by high-energy features like the heroic PAW Patrol: The Movie. Young viewers can also revisit classics such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and the beloved The Secret Life of Pets. On the television side, educational programs like Ms. Rachel and Sesame Street continue to hold the top spots alongside Detetive Labrador.

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What do you think about the ongoing social media promotion of the five-year-old documentary, Becoming? Let us know in the comments below