Rob Lowe said that his Netflix film, “Holiday in the Wild,” drew more viewers to the streaming platform than Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-contender “The Irishman.”
“I just did a movie for Netflix that was the number one movie that they had,” Lowe said Monday during the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, California, when he was asked if he preferred working on streaming shows instead of network TV. “A little stupid Christmas elephant movie and it beat — take that Martin Scorsese.”
Lowe did not give any hard numbers on that — Netflix would not confirm Lowe’s claim, but “Holiday in the Wild” wasn’t listed among the streaming service’s top 10 2019 films (“The Irishman” placed fourth). Scorsese’s three-hour mob epic drew 13.2 million viewers in its first five days, according to Nielsen. That average-minute audience is more than “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” (8.2 million) and less than “Bird Box” (16.9 million).
The gangster film, which carries a runtime of three hours and 29 minutes, was released on the streaming service on Nov. 27. It opened in theaters on Nov. 1, but Netflix does not generally report box office numbers. Per Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, it was seen by more than 26 million accounts during its first week (Netflix counts a view once someone has watched 70% of a show or movie). “The Irishman” starred Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci and Al Pacino is considered a favorite for major Oscar awards next month.
“Holiday in the Wild” was released on Nov. 1 and co-starred “Sex and the City” alum Kristin Davis. Here is the logline for that film:
To keep her spirits high when their son leaves for college, Manhattanite Kate Conrad (Davis) has booked a ‘second honeymoon’ with her husband. Instead of thanking her, he brings their relationship to a sudden end; jilted Kate proceeds to Africa for a solo safari. During a detour through Zambia, she helps her pilot, Derek Holliston (Lowe), rescue an orphaned baby elephant. They nurse him back to health at a local elephant orphanage, and Kate extends her stay through Christmastime. Far from the modern luxuries of home, Kate thrives amidst majestic animals and scenery. Her love for the new surroundings just might extend to the man who shared her journey.