Jennifer Lopez’s $50M Comedy Lands On Netflix’s Global Chart 2 Years Later

In an unexpected twist of cinematic fate, Jennifer Lopez’s romantic comedy Marry Me has become a global hit on Netflix, two years after its theatrical release. The film, which stars Lopez as pop star Kat Valdez, originally premiered in 2022 and garnered $50.5 million at the box office. Despite its modest success, the movie has found a second wind on the streaming platform, captivating audiences worldwide.

Marry Me tells the story of Kat Valdez, a renowned pop star who, after discovering her fiancé’s infidelity moments before their televised wedding, impulsively marries a math teacher (played by Owen Wilson) from the audience. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Maluma, John Bradley, Chloe Coleman, Sarah Silverman, Utkarsh Ambudkar, and Michelle Buteau.

Netflix’s recent calculations for the week of June 24 through June 30 revealed that Marry Me landed at No. 4 on its global Top 10 most-watched English-language movies chart. The film accumulated 4.3 million views, totaling 8.1 million viewing hours. Remarkably, it is the second-highest-ranked non-Netflix original film on the chart, trailing only behind 1997’s Kiss the Girls, which secured the No. 3 spot. It even surpassed the Netflix original animated hit Ultraman: Rising, which placed fifth in its third week on the chart.

This resurgence on Netflix comes at a pivotal time for Lopez. Her recent sci-fi hit Atlas also performed well on the streaming platform before exiting the Top 10 chart just two weeks earlier. These successes are particularly significant as Lopez has recently faced challenges in her career. She canceled her planned summer tour promoting her new album This Is Me… Now, citing a desire to spend more time with her family. Reports suggest that ticket sales for the tour were considerably lower than expected, adding to her professional setbacks.

The newfound popularity of Marry Me on Netflix is a testament to Lopez’s enduring appeal. Despite mixed reviews upon its initial release, with a 61% score on Rotten Tomatoes just barely qualifying it as “Fresh,” the film’s streaming success underscores its ability to resonate with a broad audience. The rom-com’s box office performance was also noteworthy, becoming the first romantic comedy to top the Valentine’s Day weekend box office since About Last Night in 2014, despite its $23 million budget indicating a slim profit margin.

The streaming success of Marry Me not only elevates the film’s profile but also has the potential to reignite interest in its soundtrack. The movie features several original songs performed by Lopez, highlighting her musical talents. While this resurgence may not directly translate to renewed interest in her canceled tour, it could bolster the popularity of her other albums, including This Is Me… Now.

In an industry where trends shift rapidly, the unexpected triumph of Marry Me on Netflix serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of entertainment and the enduring appeal of Jennifer Lopez.