Starring MCU veterans Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, Materialists is a romance film about a matchmaker torn between her imperfect ex and a wealthy suitor who checks all the boxes for what she wants in a relationship. Directed by Celine Song, the film released in mid-June and scored 79% among critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

Produced on a budget of $20 million, Materialists grossed $36.5 million domestically and $28.5 million internationally, for a combined gross of $65 million. As a result, it managed to be a box office success despite steep competition.

The film’s popularity continued after it hit streaming, as it cracked the top ten for iTunes movie rentals. Per iTopChart, Materialists sits at number seven.

It is preceded by Superman, Jurassic World Rebirth, Thunderbolts*, Ballerina, Eddington, 

and Karate Kids: Legends. The rest of the top ten were rounded out by How to Train Your Dragon, 28 Years Later, and Lilo & Stitch.

What Materialists' Streaming Success Means

Despite its R rating and lack of appeal across broader demographics, Materialists has proven a success both in theaters and on VOD. Considering that it more than tripled its reported budget, these streaming sales are resulting in pure profit.

Interestingly, however, the film was considered controversial upon release because of its plot twist. The storyline in question involves one of the characters having cosmetic surgery, and this reveal seemingly contributes to the denouement of the film’s central love triangle.

Nonetheless, Song maintained that the controversial scene was necessary to the message of Materialists. She stated: “What's most important about that surgery is that this movie is about the way that we commodify and objectify each other in the dating market, how much it crushes all of us.

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Our Take On Materialists' Streaming Success

Being a romance with two popular male leads and an actress (Dakota Johnson) who is a veteran in the genre, it is no surprise that 

Materialists has found its niche among audiences. While the spectacle of Superman and Jurassic World Rebirth is preferable to many, others want a more down-to-earth experience.

Additionally, viewers who may not have wanted to commit to a trip to the theater for 

Materialists but were otherwise interested are likely to make up a large percentage of purchasers. Many of these audience members may not have known about the controversy, and some may have appreciated Song’s message.

While some genres, such as superhero films, go in and out of style, romances retain their popularity, just as there will always be space for animated family movies. They may not be one size fits all, but that doesn’t always matter, something the streaming success of 

Materialists exemplifies.