"I was just going by the numbers": Zack Snyder explains comments about Rebel Moom drawing more viewers than Barbie 

Director Zack Snyder sparked a heated debate in March when he appeared on "The Joe Rogan Experience." He argued that his sci-fi film "Rebel Moon," despite negative reviews, reached a larger audience on Netflix than the hit movie "Barbie" did in theaters. This claim ruffled feathers among film enthusiasts who felt Snyder downplayed the significance of the big-screen experience.

However, Snyder insists his argument is simply based on viewership numbers. In a recent conversation with Gizmodo to promote his new sequel “Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver,” Snyder tried to clarify his controversial comments.

“Oh, no, I would say it’s kind of the opposite. What I was implying was — well, there are two things. One is I was just going by the numbers that I was given by Netflix. People are like, ‘Oh, well, Snyder’s crazy,’ but literally I just am doing [math] with this, not anything else. If now we’re close to 100 million viewers, 100 million views times two is 200 million views… so, people are like, ‘Snyder’s delusional,’ and I am just like ‘I don’t know what to tell you.’”

Zack Snyder argued that Netflix's viewership numbers are substantial. He cited Rebel Moon, which according to him, has been streamed by millions of accounts. Snyder estimated that if you assume two viewers per account and translate that to theatrical attendance, Rebel Moon would have been seen by more people than Barbie. This, according to Zack Snyder, highlights the reach of Netflix's streaming model.

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Zack Snyder acknowledges streaming reach but theaters still drive cultural impact

While Zack Snyder believes his Netflix film "Rebel Moon" garnered a larger audience than "Barbie," he concedes that "Barbie" had a more significant cultural impact. This, according to Snyder, highlights the ongoing power of theatrical releases in shaping the cultural conversation.

Zack Snyder explained,

"The cultural significance of 'Barbie' unfolded during its theatrical run. That's when we all collectively embraced 'Barbie,' and we enjoyed it. My point is that a theatrical release fosters a specific kind of cultural zeitgeist. Even if streaming reaches a wider audience, the true cultural impact of a film might still be dictated by the theatrical experience."

Despite his recent collaboration with Netflix on "Rebel Moon" (which received mixed reviews), Snyder acknowledges the unique distribution model of streaming platforms. He jokingly said something to the effect of,

"Netflix's approach is truly unique. We were discussing the sequel to 'Rebel Moon,' and they wanted to revisit the first one. I told them, 'There's no need to talk about it, just watch it! I know you have it readily available at home.' Unlike a theatrical release, you can access it anytime, even on your phone. That's the fascinating aspect of their model. The streaming infrastructure they've built is truly innovative."

Snyder further argued that streaming services offer a distinct advantage by providing audiences with more choices. He cited "Rebel Moon" as an example, a completely new and unfamiliar concept (an "original and weirdo" project in his words).

With streaming, viewers are more likely to explore such films because the barrier to entry is minimal. They can easily try something new without the commitment of a theater ticket. This, according to Zack Snyder, fosters the creation of more original and unconventional content.

As the anticipation builds for Sunday’s 2024 Academy Awards, the film industry is abuzz with discussions surrounding the contenders. Among the notable mentions is the Oscar-nominated film “Barbie,” capturing attention ahead of the prestigious event.

However, amidst the excitement, filmmaker Zack Snyder’s name resonates in a unique light, with two of his projects, “Army of the Dead” and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” listed as Oscar winners due to their fan-voted triumphs in 2022.

Snyder, known for his bold and visually striking narratives, faced scrutiny after asserting that his Netflix space epic, “Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire,” drew in more viewers than the iconic “Barbie” during its theatrical release. Despite the criticisms, Snyder remains steadfast in his assertions, attributing his claims to the numbers provided by Netflix.

While Snyder’s “Rebel Moon” encountered mixed reviews upon its December 2023 release, it nonetheless secured a notable presence on the streaming platform.

During its initial weeks, the film dominated Netflix’s global charts, emerging as the top movie worldwide for consecutive weeks. Garnering 23.9 million views in its debut week and an additional 34 million in the following, “Rebel Moon” showcased its initial allure to audiences.

However, the film’s reign atop the streaming charts was short-lived, eventually yielding its position to other contenders. Despite its eventual descent in viewership rankings, “Rebel Moon” managed to accumulate a substantial 73.6 million views within its first four weeks of availability, according to Netflix’s metrics.

Following the release of the sequel, “Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver,” in the spring of 2024, Snyder remains undeterred by the controversies surrounding his earlier comments. With a dedicated fanbase and a penchant for captivating storytelling, Snyder’s cinematic ventures continue to captivate audiences, whether through traditional theaters or the digital realm of streaming platforms.