In recent news, it has been reported that the Matt Damon movie, The Great Wall, which was released in 2017, has dropped from Netflix’s Top 10 Global Movies chart after just one week. The film, also starring Pedro Pascal, is set in ancient China and follows the story of a pair of mercenaries who join forces with Chinese soldiers to battle massive creatures threatening the historic structure. Despite making its debut on the Netflix Global Top 10 Movies chart with 3.2 million views and 5.5 million hours viewed in its second week on the platform, the viewership numbers for the week of May 13-19 were not enough to maintain its position on the list.
The Great Wall was added to Netflix on May 1, and in addition to the Global Top 10 Movies chart, it also appeared on the Top 10 US Movies chart at No. 9. The film earned mixed reviews during its theatrical release in 2017, with a domestic box office take of only $45.1 million. Despite performing better internationally with a gross of $289.3 million, the production budget of $150 million, plus an estimated $80 million marketing spend, meant that The Great Wall ultimately lost money. Critically, the film was not well received, with a 35% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and a 42% negative audience score.
Matt Damon recently reflected on The Great Wall during a 2021 interview, revealing that his daughter humorously refers to the movie simply as ‘The Wall’ and jokingly says there is nothing great about it. Damon shared this anecdote during an appearance on Mark Maron’s WTF podcast, showing that he can laugh at the film’s shortcomings despite his involvement as one of the lead actors. The ongoing popularity of The Great Wall on Netflix suggests that viewers are still curious about the movie, even if it did not fare well at the box office or with critics.
The performance of The Great Wall on Netflix’s streaming platform demonstrates that even films with a lackluster theatrical run can find a new audience when made available online. The star power of Matt Damon and the unique storyline set in ancient China may have contributed to the initial interest in the movie, leading to its appearance on the Top 10 charts. While the film’s financial losses and critical reception cannot be ignored, its continued presence on Netflix indicates that there is still some appeal for viewers looking for action-packed and visually stunning entertainment.
The Great Wall may not have been a commercial or critical success during its initial release, but its resurgence on Netflix suggests that there is a continued interest in the film among viewers. The combination of international settings, epic battles, and a star-studded cast could be driving factors behind its popularity on the streaming platform. Despite its flaws, The Great Wall has found a second life on Netflix, proving that even a box office flop can find a new audience through online streaming. Matt Damon’s candid reflections on the film show that even Hollywood stars can have a sense of humor about their less successful projects, adding a human touch to the industry’s sometimes unforgiving nature.
