Summer is typically a time when families flock to movie theaters, but the rise of streaming services like Netflix has changed the landscape of entertainment. As viewers opt for the comfort of their homes and a constant supply of movies, Netflix has become a go-to destination for summer entertainment. This past summer, several movies took Netflix by storm, racking up millions of views and dominating the platform’s Top 10 list.
Here are the five most popular Netflix movies of summer 2024, ranked based on their viewership and hours streamed from June to September:
5. Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
This action-packed spy satire, directed by Matthew Vaughn, follows a young delinquent (Taron Egerton) who is recruited to become a secret agent. He eventually takes on a wealthy tech mogul (Samuel L. Jackson) who threatens to wipe out humanity. While not a new film or a Netflix Original, *Kingsman: The Secret Service* continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of dark humor, over-the-top action sequences, and witty deconstruction of the spy genre. After landing on Netflix in August, the film garnered a dedicated following, remaining on the platform’s Top 10 for three weeks. Its success even brought its sequel, *Kingsman: The Golden Circle*, to the Top 10 list. In total, *Kingsman: The Secret Service* accumulated 27,100,000 views in August, translating to a whopping 58,900,000 hours watched.
4. Trigger Warning (2024)
Jessica Alba’s latest action film, *Trigger Warning*, found a receptive audience on Netflix this summer. The film features Alba as a Special Forces officer who returns to her hometown to investigate a criminal conspiracy surrounding her father’s death in a mining accident. Marketed as a female-led action thriller in the vein of *John Wick* and *First Blood*, *Trigger Warning* attracted a sizable audience even before its release. Although the film may not have received critical acclaim for its originality, it still managed to draw a substantial 63,800,000 views within its first month on Netflix, totaling 112,900,000 hours viewed.
3. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)
The return of Eddie Murphy’s iconic character, Alex Foley, in *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F* was a guaranteed hit. This installment sees Foley traveling back to Beverly Hills to protect his estranged daughter (Taylour Paige) and his old partner (Judge Reinhold) from a criminal conspiracy. Murphy’s comedic timing and signature charm made this reboot a delightful summer experience, bringing back familiar faces from the franchise while introducing new ones. After premiering in July, the long-awaited sequel spent four weeks on Netflix’s Top 10 list, garnering 75,800,000 views and 149,600,000 hours watched.
2. A Family Affair (2024)
*A Family Affair* tells the story of a self-centered movie star (Zac Efron) who begins a romantic relationship with the widowed mother (Nicole Kidman) of his disgruntled assistant (Joey King). Rom-coms often resonate with a broad audience, and this film featuring popular actors like Efron, Kidman, and King seemed like a surefire hit for Netflix. While it may not have impressed critics, *A Family Affair* still achieved significant success on the platform. A month after its June premiere, it remained on Netflix’s Top 10 list, securing 79,100,000 views and a total of 150,200,000 hours streamed.
1. The Union (2024)
*The Union*, another action-packed spy comedy, features Mark Wahlberg as a New Jersey construction worker who reunites with his high school sweetheart (Halle Berry) and gets recruited into a clandestine espionage agency for a critical mission. The film embodies the kind of over-the-top, popcorn flick that Wahlberg often delivers, and his presence alongside Berry drew in a significant audience. Despite mixed reviews, this rom-com adventure amassed 90,500,000 views within three weeks of its release, amassing a staggering 164,500,000 hours viewed, making it the most popular Netflix movie of the summer.
