Chris HemsworthandTom Holland’s $94 million box office disappointment has become a global Netflix hit 10 years later. The two stars are best known for their roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Thor and Peter Parker/Spider-Man, appearing in a total of two movies together –Avengers: Infinity WarandAvengers: Endgame. The Australian actor has appeared as the Asgardian superhero in nine totalMCU movies, while the British actor has appeared in six.
However, Hemsworth and Holland have appeared in many movies outside the MCU. The former is known for his role in Netflix’s action franchise,Extraction, starring in the 2020 film, a 2023 sequel, with another sequel on the way. Holland has also starred in the Netflix film,The Devil All the Time, and some other direct-to-streaming titles, such as Apple TV’sCherry, directed by the Russo brothers.Hemsworth and Holland have also starred together outside the MCU, though the movie bombed at the box office.
In The Heart Of The Sea Becomes A Global Netflix Hit
It Ranks 10th For The Week
In the Heart of the Seahas become a global Netflix hit 10 years after its release. Directed by Ron Howard, with a script written by Charles Leavitt (Blood Diamond) adapted from the non-fiction book by Nathaniel Philbrick,the 2015 film follows the sinking of the American whaling ship, Essex, in 1820 – an event that partially inspired Herman Melville’s 1851 novelMoby-Dick.In the Heart of the Sea’s castincludes Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland, Ben Whishaw, and Brendan Gleeson.
In The Heart Of The Sea Ending Explained: How The Essex’s Sinking Leads To Moby Dick
In the Heart of the Sea tells the unbelievable true story of the sinking of the Essex whale ship which served as an inspiration for the classic novel.
Now, 10 years after its release, Hemsworth and Holland’s box-office disappointment has become a globalNetflixhit.In the Heart of the Searanks 10th on Netflix’s Global Top 10 moviesfor this week with 3.7 million views, ranking belowCarry-On,The Six Triple Eight,The Secret Life of Pets 2,Dr. Seuss' The Grinch,Avicii - I’m Tim,Non-Stop,Horizon: An American Saga: Chapter 1,That Christmas, andFuriosa: A Mad Max Saga.In the Heart of the Seais in the Top 10 in only one country – the United States.
What In The Heart Of The Sea’s Netflix Success Means For The Movie
It Helps Redeem Its Box Office Disappointment
Though their MCU movies have seen much success, some of Hemsworth and Holland’s efforts outside the franchise have struggled mightily, and their 2015 film is one of the best examples of that.In the Heart of the Sea’s reviewswere mixed, praising its thoughtful storytelling and striking visuals, even though they fall short of the depth and epic grandeur it so evidently aims for.It also bombed at the box office, grossing only $94.3 million against its $100 million budget.
2h 2m
$100 million
$94.3 million
42%
RT Audience Score
54%
A decade later,In the Heart of the Sea’s Netflix successoffers a small measure of redemption for its box-office failure. While its resurgence as a streaming hit has brought some renewed attention, with it also comes a reminder of the film’s underwhelming theatrical run. In light of its recent Netflix success,In the Heart of the Sea’s legacy now likely lies somewhere between a cult favorite and a cautionary tale.
Our Take On In The Heart Of The Sea’s Netflix Success
MCU Stars Are Better Suited For Streaming
Despite their fame, manyMCU stars have struggled to find success at the box office outside the superhero franchise.Films headlined by Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland, or Chris Evans often falter, suggesting audiences are drawn more to the superheroes themselves – such as Thor, Spider-Man, or Captain America – than the actors portraying them. While exceptions exist, the trend underlines a challenge for MCU actors to build strong careers beyond their superhero personas.
In the Heart of the Sea’s Netflix resurgence is just the latest example of how, outside the franchise, MCU stars might be better suited for streaming.
In the Heart of the Seawasone of Hemsworth’s first major ventures outside the MCU, and it bombed at the box office. At the time, Holland hadn’t yet debuted as Spider-Man inCaptain America: Civil Waror had his first solo venture inSpider-Man: Homecoming. In addition toIn the Heart of the Sea,The Huntsman: Winter’s War,Black Hat, andMen in Black: International, all starring Hemsworth, disappointed at the box office, raising major questions about his viability outside the MCU.
Holland has also had his struggles outside the MCU. His attempt to start another franchise,Chaos Walking, failed miserably, andUnchartedhas even struggled to make progress on a sequel. However,one area that Hemsworth and Holland have seen consistent success outside the MCU is streaming. As previously mentioned,Hemsworthis the star of Netflix’sExtractionfranchise, andHollandhas starred in Netflix’s star-studdedDevil All the Timeand Apple TV’sThe Crowded Room.In the Heart of the Sea’s Netflix resurgence is just the latest example of how, outside the franchise, MCU stars might be better suited for streaming.
Chris Hemsworth
Tom Holland
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In the Heart of the Sea
Cast
Based on the real-life event that inspired Moby Dick, In the Heart of the Sea is directed by Ron Howard and stars Chris Hemsworth as Owen Chase, first mate of the whaling ship Essex who must fight for his life in the middle of the ocean when a whale destroys his ship, killing most of his crew and stranding him and a few survivors on a lifeboat. Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland, Ben Whishaw, and Brendan Gleeson also star.
