Summary
- Jules, a sci-fi film starring Ben Kingsley, went unnoticed in theaters but is now a hit on Netflix, gaining 6.7 million views in its first week in Netflix’s Top 10.
- Despite positive reviews, the movie only made $2 million in theaters before gaining popularity on the streaming platform.
- Critics have praised Jules for its outstanding ensemble cast led by Kingsley and its ability to engage with universally resonant themes. It balances high concept with emotional storytelling, making it a touching sci-fi comedy.
After flying under the radar earlier this year, Jules is now a hit on Netflix. The sci-fi film follows Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley as Milton, a man whose quiet, routine life in a small western Pennsylvania town is upended when a UFO carrying an extra-terrestrial passenger crash lands in his backyard. In addition to Kingsley, the cast includes Jane Curtin, Harriet Sansom Harris, Zoë Winters, Jade Quon, and Andy Daly. Jules was released in theaters in August, and despite positive reviews from critics, the film flew under the radar and only made $2 million.
Now, over three months after its theatrical release, the under-the-radar sci-fi film is now a hit on Netflix. For the week of November 20-26, Jules was watched for 6.7 million hours and received 4.6 million total views. This ranks in fifth place and marks the movie’s first week in Netflix’s Top 10.
Jules Is Finally Getting The Attention It Deserves
Jules premiered at the Sonoma International Film Festival to rave reviews and was subsequently acquired by the independent Bleecker Street for distribution. As a result, the film flew under the radar in theaters and only made $2 million, but by becoming a hit on Netflix, it’s finally receiving the attention it deserves. Jules reviews have praised the movie for its outstanding ensemble cast led by Kingsley and its ability to engage with profound, universally resonant themes despite its simple premise. As a result, Jules has a Certified Fresh 84 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Audiences are also appreciating Jules for its ability to address universally relatable themes like aging and loneliness but with a humorous and heartwarming touch. All in all, Jules brilliantly balances its high concept with emotional storytelling anchored by Kingsley’s performance, which renders it a touching sci-fi dramedy. Since this type of genre-bending, low-budget drama tends to struggle in the modern theatrical landscape, Jules has finally been able to find the audience it deserves at home by streaming on Netflix.
Source: Netflix
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Jules
- Release Date:
- 2023-08-11
- Director:
- Marc Turtletaub
- Cast:
- Ben Kingsley, Harriet Sansom Harris, Zoe Winters, Jade Quon, Jane Curtin
- Rating:
- PG-13
- Runtime:
- 90 Minutes
- Genres:
- Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi
- Writers:
- Gavin Steckler
- Studio(s):
- Big Beach
- Distributor(s):
- Bleecker Street
