2025’s Jordan Peele Produced Horror Movie Is a Netflix U.S. Hit After Disappointing Box Office Performance

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Jordan Peele has become a leading figure in horror over the past decade, directing three critically acclaimed and inventive films. Beyond directing, he’s also used his influence to help produce other projects, including Candyman and Monkey Man. While fans eagerly await his next directorial work, Peele continues to produce films. Last year’s Him, a horror movie centered around a promising young football player, didn’t make a big splash in theaters, but it’s now gaining attention on streaming services.

During the week of April 20th to 26th, the movie Him reached number 7 on Netflix in the U.S., right after the new film Thrash. This marked the first time Him appeared in Netflix’s top 10.

Why Him Is a Streaming Hit on Netflix

Though the movie Him had some creative ideas and a good performance by Marlon Wayans—who played a veteran quarterback guiding young players—it received mostly negative reviews. Critics gave it a low 31% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences weren’t much more impressed, giving it a 56% score. This poor reception likely contributed to its disappointing box office results; the film earned $27.8 million globally on a $27 million budget.

It’s funny, but all the mixed reactions to Him might actually be why it’s doing so well on Netflix. I’ve noticed that these days, a lot of movies that didn’t do great in theaters end up being big hits when they come to streaming. It’s just so much easier to try something out when all you have to do is press play from your couch! I think for movies like Him, especially originals, bad reviews can really keep people away from the cinema. If I see a low score on Rotten Tomatoes, like the 31% Him got, I’m more likely to wait and watch it at home instead of going to the trouble of a trip to the theater.

The recent release of Him on Netflix likely boosted its viewership. Added to the platform on April 19th, it stood out among new content, as subscribers often check for fresh titles. It’s no surprise the film gained traction in the United States, given the continued popularity of horror and the broad appeal of its subject matter – American football. While the NFL has a global following, it remains most popular domestically, and the timing of the film’s release, shortly after the NFL Draft on April 23rd, may have appealed to fans interested in football content.

While Him didn’t become a legendary horror film, it still has some good qualities. Although the story wasn’t perfectly told, the movie looks great and features strong acting. That makes it worth watching once, especially when streaming at home. Sometimes, a film that doesn’t quite succeed is more interesting than a typical Netflix movie because it’s intriguing to see the filmmakers’ vision and understand where it went wrong. Him isn’t a complete failure, but it’s not a universally loved masterpiece, making it an ideal streaming pick.

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2026-05-03 16:42