Peacock's 'Oppenheimer' Breaks Records as Most-Watched Pay-One Film Launch
In a groundbreaking achievement, 'Oppenheimer' has set a new record as the most-watched launch for a pay-one film in Peacock's history. Surpassing the previous record-holder, 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie,' this milestone marks a significant moment for the streaming platform.
While specific viewer numbers for both films were not disclosed, the success of 'Oppenheimer' highlights the growing popularity of exclusive content on Peacock. Following the expiration of Universal's pay-one deal with HBO in 2021, NBCUniversal made the strategic decision to keep its films in-house and establish a pay-one arrangement with its own streaming service.
Under this agreement, Universal Pictures' films make their streaming debuts on Peacock approximately four months after their theatrical releases. They remain exclusive to Peacock for an additional four months before becoming available on other platforms. This distribution model aims to maximize viewership and engagement across various channels.
'Oppenheimer' premiered on Peacock on February 16, 2023, around seven months after its theatrical release in July 2022. In comparison, 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' made its pay-one debut on Peacock on August 3, 2022, following its April 5 theatrical opening, indicating a shorter window between theatrical and streaming availability for the latter.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, 'Oppenheimer' has garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, positioning it as a frontrunner for the 2024 Oscars. The film is nominated for 13 awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Nolan), Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), Best Supporting Actress (Emily Blunt), and Best Adapted Screenplay.
While 'Oppenheimer' achieved significant success on the streaming platform, it fell short of surpassing 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' in terms of worldwide box office earnings. Despite grossing nearly one billion dollars, 'Oppenheimer' was unable to outperform the $1.36 billion generated by 'Mario.' However, the film's strong performance on Peacock underscores its enduring appeal and audience engagement.
