Idris Elba’s 2022 survival thriller, Beast, has gained fresh popularity on Netflix, earning a spot among the platform’s top-performing titles. The lion-centric horror film premiered on Netflix during the week of December 23-30 and quickly clawed its way to the ninth position on the global Top 10 list. In its debut week, the movie garnered 5.9 million views and ranked in the Top 10 across 21 countries.
Directed by Baltasar Kormákur (Contraband, 2 Guns) and written by Ryan Engle, based on a story by Jaime Primak Sullivan, Beast delivers a tense survival narrative. Elba stars as Dr. Nate Samuels, a widowed father traveling to a South African game reserve with his two teenage daughters. Their trip takes a terrifying turn when they are targeted by a massive rogue lion. The cast also features Iyana Halley, Leah Sava Jeffries, Brett Favre, and Sharlto Copley.
Critics and audiences responded positively to the film’s suspenseful pace and gripping story. On Rotten Tomatoes, Beast holds a 69% approval rating from critics and a 77% audience score.
Despite its strong storytelling and performances, Beast struggled at the box office. With a production budget of $36 million, the film earned $59.1 million worldwide—insufficient to cover its marketing and distribution expenses. It later added $2.9 million from DVD and Blu-ray sales, according to The Numbers.
Now, thanks to Netflix, Beast is finding a wider audience and gaining the recognition it missed during its theatrical release.
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