Bird Box

[LoganGambit87]

 

[jmc]

Something tells me this wouldn't have done as well as a traditional theatrical release. More people will bite from the comfort of their own living room through Netflix.

Maybe not, but if our measurement for success in comparing Netflix to theatrical release is eyeballs then Bird Box is nothing short of a huge hit. The more they can tout those numbers for those films the more hype they'll generated and the more people will subscribe to their service. If anything, 45 million viewers is a much better idea of how popular a movie is than box office, the value of which can change overtime depending on inflation. A ticket bought today is significantly more than what it cost 20 years ago.

 

[writer0327]

Maybe not, but if our measurement for success in comparing Netflix to theatrical release is eyeballs then Bird Box is nothing short of a huge hit. The more they can tout those numbers for those films the more hype they'll generated and the more people will subscribe to their service. If anything, 45 million viewers is a much better idea of how popular a movie is than box office, the value of which can change overtime depending on inflation. A ticket bought today is significantly more than what it cost 20 years ago.

Viewers matter, but how well those numbers are measured. Like, if I pull up a movie on Netflix and watch 10 minutes of it, think its boring and turn it off, does that count towards the total views?

In my opinion, Netflix films likely get a 50% boost due to the fact that its a home service, so maybe 22.5M people would have watched Bird Box in theaters. Still pretty good though.

 

[2kt09]

Viewers matter, but how well those numbers are measured. Like, if I pull up a movie on Netflix and watch 10 minutes of it, think its boring and turn it off, does that count towards the total views?

In my opinion, Netflix films likely get a 50% boost due to the fact that its a home service, so maybe 22.5M people would have watched Bird Box in theaters. Still pretty good though.

A Netflix spokeswoman said the 45 million accounts it tallied as having watched “Bird Box” were counted only after a view surpassed 70% of the total running time including credits. In other words, those accounts had viewed at least 87 minutes of the 2 hour, 4 minute movie. Each Netflix account may have included multiple views (and viewers) of “Bird Box” but were counted only once toward to the 45 million total. According to the rep, this info applies to “Bird Box” specifically and “should not be taken as a metric for all Netflix content.”

-Variety

 

[jmc]

Viewers matter, but how well those numbers are measured. Like, if I pull up a movie on Netflix and watch 10 minutes of it, think its boring and turn it off, does that count towards the total views?

In my opinion, Netflix films likely get a 50% boost due to the fact that its a home service, so maybe 22.5M people would have watched Bird Box in theaters. Still pretty good though.

70% percent of the film is apparently when they start calculating the figures, it's highly unlikely most of that 45 million would switch off with 25-30 mins of the film left, so if the figure is close to being accurate then it's a bigger number of people watching than what most films in the theatre get.

 

[writer0327]

70% percent of the film is apparently when they start calculating the figures, it's highly unlikely most of that 45 million would switch off with 25-30 mins of the film left, so if the figure is close to being accurate then it's a bigger number of people watching than what most films in the theatre get.

Okay that's good info. Yes, that would make Bird Box around a $450M film if we gauge the average ticket price is around $10. Of course that begs the question, how many people would go see Bird Box in theaters?

 

[jmc]

Okay that's good info. Yes, that would make Bird Box around a $450M film if we gauge the average ticket price is around $10. Of course that begs the question, how many people would go see Bird Box in theaters?

Does is matter though? I think what Netflix is showing here is that we need to reassess what constitutes a success from a streaming perspective. The problem we've had until now is we don't really know how successful many of the movies and TV show are on Netflix. Take into account also that a lot of people share accounts as I do with my family, so whilst the number released is 45 million accounts, you could be looking at millions of additional people, maybe even tens of millions, who actually watched the film. So lets say a family of 4 all watch Bird Box, but they share their account with another family member who has their own family of 4. Now multiply that by a few million.

 

[writer0327]

Does is matter though?

I think it matters if you want to compare Netflix movies to theatrical releases. If the idea is "most movies don't get these numbers in theatrical releases" as a proof of its success, or a comparison to traditionally released films, then it's viability in a theater is hugely relevant.

I think what Netflix is showing here is that we need to reassess what constitutes a success from a streaming perspective. The problem we've had until now is we don't really know how successful many of the movies and TV shows are on Netflix. Take into account also that a lot of people share accounts as I do with my family, so whilst the number released is 45 million accounts, you could be looking at millions of additional people, maybe even tens of millions, who actually watched the film. So lets say a family of 4 all watch Bird Box, but they share their account with another family member who has their own family of 4. Now multiply that by a few million.

I can agree with that. Netflix numbers have been cloaked in darkness and mystery, so this information is actually pretty phenomenal. But will it be followed up by Netflix? Will we start getting numbers from other streaming services how many folks have viewed a certain show? It would be a fantastic way to gauge what is considered success for a streaming show. Bird Box is probably the most watched Netflix original move just from the number of people talking about it, so maybe this is why they have finally announced these numbers.

 

[jmc]

I think it matters if you want to compare Netflix movies to theatrical releases. If the idea is "most movies don't get these numbers in theatrical releases" as a proof of its success, or a comparison to traditionally released films, then it's viability in a theater is hugely relevant.

I can agree with that. Netflix numbers have been cloaked in darkness and mystery, so this information is actually pretty phenomenal. But will it be followed up by Netflix? Will we start getting numbers from other streaming services how many folks have viewed a certain show? It would be a fantastic way to gauge what is considered success for a streaming show. Bird Box is probably the most watched Netflix original move just from the number of people talking about it, so maybe this is why they have finally announced these numbers.

It might be a case where the numbers were so impressive they felt they had to tell people about it. Or maybe it's the first time they've felt comfortable enough releasing the information. Or maybe they've finally decided there's value in releasing the figures. If 45 million people are watching a film and they boast about it that's going to draw in people in a different way than what a theatrical film would because there's more on offer at Netflix than one movie. You sign up to Netflix because of Bird Box, but stick around because there's a bunch of other things to watch.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Rewatched it again and it annoys the hell out of me that the "enlightened" are able to appear as normal peple instead of having the infected eyes 24/7.

 

[kguillou]

This movie was laughably bad. This was like a much more competently directed version of The Happening...but still as ridiculous as The Happening.

This is a perfect B movie to watch with a bunch of friends and play drinking games to, which ironically will probably only help this movie’s popularity.

 

[MrWayne]

That's silly and a monumental stretch

EDIT: I see online now that a few people have this theory. I also see some people think it's about racism. And some people think it's about PC Culture.

I think people are just attaching whatever they dislike to the meaning of the movie or are looking way too deep into it

Seriously…. I expect more of this in 2019... The looking ever too deep into something and attaching ALL these "things" to it that are just a bit much in my opinion. I'm all for deep thought but jeez some of these reaches are long LOL

 

[Flash525]

I was underwhelmed by it. I expected a bigger payoff, and didn't get one, unfortunately. Didn't really feel for any of the characters either. It was an okay watch, but not something I'd choose to watch again.

 

[samsnee]

Exactly why I feel like viewership numbers are meaningless. I think people still want to see big name stars but will hesitate to pay $20 to go to a loud theater for any ok movie. But if you're already on Netflix, you will check out Will Smith or Sandra Bullock in a crappy movie because it's minimal effort.

 

[Hannah Panana]

For me, the best part of this movie is... the meme(s)! Best ones ever! This one, for example...

 

[I Am The Knight]

That is f***king glorious

 

[Lily Adler]

Is there a mass suicide post-apocalyptic film that will ever be good?

 

[Flash525]

 

[The Shape]

Yes, the memes have been amazing and plentiful.

 

[Lily Adler]

Well this is stupid.

Netflix Warns Against #BirdBoxChallenge

 

[terry78]

No surprise.

 

[Lencho01]

Netflix says over 45 million accounts watched Bird Box — here’s what that means

 

[Flash525]

Netflix says over 45 million accounts watched Bird Box — here’s what that means

In short, it was well marketed and advertised? I haven't read the link, but that's ultimately what it means. Netflix got attention for the film.

 

[MrWayne]

I think the bigger discussion we should be having here is the shape and direction things are taking. What's happening with Netflix and the way in which we watch movies, why we watch them and the aftermath of it when it does really well is an interesting conversation. Its paving the way for the "future" so to speak and I find it fascinating that we are not only living through it but actually are paving the way. Truly remarkable times we are in...

 

[terry78]

Yeah, Netflix is trying to revolutionize yet at the same time there are still event films that I'd rather watch in a theatre with others than on my phone.