Monster movies have been a popular part of cinema for many years. When done well, few things are as thrilling as a story about humans battling a dangerous creature. The idea of the big summer blockbuster started with Jaws, the film about a shark attacking a seaside town. Even though these movies often have straightforward stories, they can be incredibly fun to watch, particularly when they feature a well-known and likable actor. Now, after a quiet few years for the genre, a new monster movie starring a famous actor is gaining a lot of attention on streaming services.
From April 6th to 12th, the movie Beast, featuring Idris Elba, reached the top 10 on Netflix in the U.S. for the first time, landing at number 4. It was preceded by The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and Thrash.
Why Beast Is a Streaming Hit on Netflix
As a movie critic, I wasn’t entirely surprised to see Beast crack Netflix’s top 5 – it landed on the platform just as it started gaining traction. New releases always get a boost on streaming services, and viewers were definitely curious about what was fresh. Beast performed really well, racking up 3.2 million views and a total of 5 million hours watched globally. That put it at number 10 on Netflix’s worldwide movie chart last week, which is a solid result.
I really enjoyed Beast when it came out, even though it didn’t make a huge splash in theaters. It only made around $32 million domestically and $59 million worldwide on a $36 million budget, which is a shame. But honestly, I think it’s better than those numbers suggest! Critics actually gave it a pretty good score – 68% on Rotten Tomatoes. Everyone seemed to agree it wasn’t groundbreaking, but it was a solid, well-made thriller that did exactly what it set out to do. That’s why I think it’s perfect for streaming – it’s definitely worth watching, even if it wasn’t a must-see on the big screen.
What makes Beast work so well is director Baltasar Kormákur’s skillful handling of the suspense. Known for action films, he creates genuinely frightening scenes within the movie’s lean 90-minute runtime, keeping audiences constantly on edge. And having an actor like Idris Elba certainly helps. He gives a powerful and believable performance as a father determined to protect his children. The fact that his character is also dealing with the loss of his wife adds a layer of emotional depth to what is otherwise a simple, thrilling story.
Monster movies are currently very popular on Netflix. The platform’s most-watched film right now is Thrash, a movie similar to Jaws that’s become a hit with viewers even though reviews are mixed. It seems Thrash may have gotten people interested in similar films, leading them to watch Beast. Given that Beast is also among Netflix’s top 10, it’s likely to remain popular for a while.
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2026-04-17 21:41