A Controversial Oscar-Winning Movie Is a Top 5 Netflix U.S. Hit, 8 Years Later

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In recent years, the Academy Awards have recognized acclaimed and ambitious films like Everything Everywhere All at Once, Oppenheimer, and One Battle After Another. However, the Oscars aren’t always perfect, and many Best Picture winners have been controversial. A recent example is Green Book, which won despite strong competition from films like Roma, A Star is Born, and BlacKkKlansman. While its win was debated, Green Book performed very well in cinemas, earning over $321 million worldwide, and is now also proving popular on streaming services.

From April 27th to May 3rd, the movie Green Book ranked as the 4th most popular film on Netflix in the U.S. It followed three Netflix originals at the top: the comedy Roommates, the animated film Swapped, and the action thriller Apex. Green Book also outperformed the popular series Kpop Demon Hunters and made its first appearance in the top 10.

Why Green Book Was a Controversial Best Picture Winner

Critics and audiences generally liked Green Book. It has a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and an even higher 92% audience score, suggesting it’s an enjoyable and heartwarming film. Despite this, some questioned whether it deserved the Best Picture award. The film faced criticism during its release, with some viewers finding its handling of racism problematic. A common concern was that it relied on the “white savior” trope, and that the story focused too much on the personal growth of the white character, Tony Lip, rather than the experiences of the Black character.

Some family members of Don Shirley disputed the way the film Green Book depicted his relationship with Tony Lip. Mahershala Ali, who won an Oscar for playing Shirley, even reached out to the family after the film’s release to apologize for not having spoken with them during the filmmaking process. The film’s script was written by Nick Vallelonga, Tony Lip’s son, and was based on recordings and letters related to his father’s time with Shirley. This reliance on material from Tony Lip’s perspective likely contributed to concerns that the film didn’t offer a fully balanced view of the story.

Although Green Book isn’t a particularly complex film, it’s still enjoyable, largely due to the fantastic chemistry between Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen. They create a charming and touching relationship, beautifully portraying how their characters become friends and learn from each other. While some debate the film’s historical accuracy, both actors deliver strong performances and bring the story to life in a captivating way.

A big reason Green Book has been popular on Netflix is the chance to see its excellent lead actors. Plus, it’s a recent addition to what’s available on the streaming service. New movies often get a lot of views as subscribers look for fresh content on the homepage. Even though Green Book came out almost ten years ago, people are still talking about it and its stars, which is drawing viewers in.

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2026-05-09 17:10