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Hit Netflix movie watched 33 million times to top global chart

Hit Netflix movie watched 33 million times to top global chart

Metro2 days ago
Steve Charnock Published July 3, 2025 2:06pm Updated July 3, 2025 2:06pm Link is copied Comments From action-packed thrillers to offbeat comedies and post-apocalyptic horror, Netflix's most-watched movies from the past week reflect, as ever, a wild mix of genres. Whether it's a high-stakes military rescue, a stinky cruise disaster, or demon-slaying pop stars, the world's biggest streaming platform's top flicks at the moment are nothing if not varied. There's also room for sequels, daft comedies starring screen legends and even a couple of surprise breakout hits. Without further ado, here are the 10 most-streamed movies across the world over the past week… (Picture: Getty) In this breezy South African rom-com, marketing power couple Jaci and JP are forced to fake being doting parents to land a lucrative pitch for a baby product brand. As they dive into the hectic world of nappies, bottle warmers and picture-perfect parenting roles, their polished lives start to unravel. With strong chemistry between the two leads (Anel Alexander and Nico Panagio), Semi-Soeter pokes fun at influencer culture and modern work-life facades (Picture: Netflix) This high-concept and mildly confusing sci-fi action flick stars Mark Wahlberg as Evan McCauley, a man haunted by visions that turn out to be memories from past lives. He's soon recruited by a secret group of 'Infinites' - souls who reincarnate with full memory of their pasts - to help stop a doomsday weapon. Directed by Training Day's Antoine Fuqua, Infinite matches up slick visuals with a premise that (sort of) mixes The Matrix and Highlander. Although the plot and performances don't always keep up with the movie's ambition (Picture: AP) This adrenaline-fueled Fast & Furious chapter throws Vin Diesel's Dom Toretto headfirst into yet more chaos when cyberterrorist Cipher (played with icy menace by Charlize Theron) coerces him by holding his family hostage. The result? Full-throttle betrayals, globe-trotting set‑pieces from Havana to the Arctic, and all the epic races - complete with explosive consequences - that we've come to expect from the franchise. It's not the best Fast and Furious movie, but it's watchable and fun to see Theron channelling classic Bond villain vibes (Picture: AP) A chilling sequel to 28 Days Later, this 2007 horror shows post‑apocalypse UK a few months after the initial Rage virus outbreak. Under US military protection, survivors - including Don (Robert Carlyle) and medical officer Scarlet (Rose Byrne) - seek sanctuary in London. Only to have their safety shattered when their children breach quarantine with horrific consequences. With Jeremy Renner, Imogen Poots and Idris Elba rounding out the cast, this gritty, emotionally driven horror‑action hybrid still packs a punch. And it's worth a quick watch before you go see the incredible third film in the series - 28 Years Later - in the theater (Picture: 20th Century Fox) Tense and tactical, Land of Bad follows a downed Special Forces team that get stranded in the dense jungles of the Philippines. The team are forced to rely on a drone-controlled extraction plan, led by Russell Crowe's gruff pilot, Captain Eddie 'Reaper' Grimm (geddit?), guiding rookie Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) Sergeant JJ Kinney (Liam Hemsworth) out. Director William Eubank does an above average job mixing explosive firefights with character-driven storylines, smartly drawing inspiration from real-life JTAC protocols (Picture: Netflix) This is a lively sequel to the 2018 hit Raid starring Ajay Devgn, who reprises his role as IRS officer Amay Patnaik. In Raid 2, set years after the events of the first movie, and in the fictional town of Bhoj, Patnaik investigates an influential politician played by Riteish Deshmukh. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, this smash hit Hindi crime thriller co-stars Vaani Kappor, Saurabh Shukla, Rajat Kapoor and Amit Sial (Picture: Netflix) Robert De Niro, the screen legend known for his gritty, intense roles, delivers a surprising turn in this light-hearted Nancy Meyers comedy. Playing a 70 year-old widower who becomes a senior intern at a bustling e-commerce start-up, De Niro brings a calm, steady presence to an otherwise fast-paced, youthful workplace. Opposite Anne Hathaway's driven CEO, De Niro's casting occasionally feels a little like a gentle mismatch. But that is kind of the point. It's charming, but ever-so-slightly out of sync. Still, it's a feel-good movie that struck a chord with audiences on its release, grossing an impressive $196 million worldwide on a $35 million budget (Picture: Warner Bros./Francois Duhamel) Tyler Perry's psychological drama explores a harrowing day in the life of single mom Janiyah (Taraji P. Henson), who spirals into a violent hostage situation amid mounting pressures - caring for her ill daughter, facing eviction and job loss. Alongside Sherri Shepherd and Teyana Taylor, Henson delivers a powerful performance that some critics are saying carries the whole thing. Despite mixed reviews, the movie surged to number one globally on release and has been a seriously giant success for the streamer (Picture: Chip Bergmann/Perry Well Films 2) This mildly shocking, slightly disgusting yet strangely entertaining Netflix documentary revisits the 2013 Carnival Triumph cruise disaster - infamously dubbed 'The Poop Cruise'. An engine-room fire disabled the ship's systems, leaving 4,000 passengers adrift, all without plumbing, air-conditioning, or power for five tense - and increasingly quite horrible - days. Featuring passenger footage, re-enactments, and dark humor, Trainwreck: Poop Cruise is part of Netflix's rather popular Trainwreck anthology. It's a fun watch. Just not while you're eating, eh? (Picture: Netflix) Fusing K-pop stylings with supernatural action, the animated musical-fantasy KPop Demon Hunters follows HUNTR/X - a fierce girl group who moonlight as demon slayers (using their voices as weapons, of course). Led by Rumi (voiced by Arden Cho), they face off against the rival Saja Boys, who are fronted by the sinister Jinu (Ahn Hyo‑seop). It's all vibrant animation and earworm songs that appeal to a younger demographic who have been only too pleased to help the movie ascend to the top of Netflix's global charts (Picture: Netflix)
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Star-studded crime series with Harry Potter actor hailed 'unexpectedly great'
Star-studded crime series with Harry Potter actor hailed 'unexpectedly great'

Daily Record

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  • Daily Record

Star-studded crime series with Harry Potter actor hailed 'unexpectedly great'

Harry Potter star Rupert Grint and Harlan Coben actor Marc Warren are among the cast of Guy Ritchie's Snatch - which crime fans have raved about. The star-studded television adaptation of Guy Ritchie's Snatch is now up for grabs. The 2017 crime series, featuring Marc Warren known from the Harlan Coben adaptations Missing You and Safe. It also features Harry Potter star Rupert Grint, Emily in Paris star Lucien Laviscount, and Skins actor Luke Pasqualino. It has now landed on ITVX. Both instalments of the show are available after making their earlier appearance on Netflix this year. ‌ Created by Alex De Rakoff and inspired by Ritchie's 2000 gangster film, Snatch delves into the escapades of a band of young hustlers, portrayed by Pasqualino, Grint, and Laviscount, who stumble upon a lorry full of purloined gold bars and get wrapped up in the murky underworld of London. ‌ The cast also includes Bridgerton 's Phoebe Dynevor, Stephanie Leonidas, and Dougray Scott, with Money Heist's Úrsula Corbero making a guest appearance in the second season. Audience reactions on IMDb to the crime series have been varied, with one viewer describing it as "unexpectedly great". Despite acknowledging its imperfections, this reviewer awarded it a perfect score of 10/10, finding it "was very fun to watch". "I was left thinking about it for days after and wanting more," they added. Another viewer offered a more lukewarm take, labelling it a "light" version of Snatch, rating it 6/10 for being a "heavily diluted" take on the original film. Meanwhile, someone else commended the series' promising beginning but lamented that it failed to live up to its initial potential. "It just kept going downhill. Very disappointing considering how good the movie was," they remarked. ‌ Elsewhere, other fans of the original expressed their admiration with how the TV adaptation turned out, particularly praising the cast, script, and its divergence from the film. "Each episode is as exciting and riveting as the last. Great cast, brilliantly written, acting is on point," a viewer expressed delighted with the outcome. "If you're looking for a throwback to the original Guy Ritchie masterpiece, this show is not what you are looking for," penned another, complimenting Snatch as "an enjoyable show with likeable characters and pretty solid dialogue and writing".

Tracking the sexist abuse faced by female F1 fans
Tracking the sexist abuse faced by female F1 fans

The Herald Scotland

time2 hours ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Tracking the sexist abuse faced by female F1 fans

Nikki Lauda and James Hunt locked horns and wheels, there were terrible fatalities on the track and off, and the loud roar of the racing car engines was matched only by the testosterone-heavy swagger of the blokes in the paddock. The macho world of F1 as seen on Netflix series Drive to Survive (Image: Courtesy of Netflix) Lella, 34-years-old from a small town in Piedmont, Italy, had discovered her need for speed as a young delivery driver for her father's shop. Now, in only her second Grand Prix, she was about to break barriers as the first woman to score a World Championship point. Fifty years later, she remains the only woman to have snared an F1 point. Lella Lombardi, the only woman to win a point in an F1 race (Image: Getty Images) Despite efforts to revamp motorsport's macho image, with a new generation of female fans hooked by Netflix series Drive to Survive and F1 Academy, which follows Scots former pro-driver Susie Wolff's all-female Formula 4-level championship, Lella's single point remains unchallenged. With women making up the fastest growing element of new F1 fans, Hollywood arrived on the grid this week with its love letter to the sport, complete with Brad Pitt playing a grizzled racing veteran and gambling junkie, a pumping soundtrack and seven times World Champion and inclusivity campaigner Sir Lewis Hamilton as co-producer. Fans hoping the movie might help reboot the sport's 'boys only' image however, may leave the cinema just a little disappointed. Ferrari driver Sir Lewis Hamilton is co-producer of F1: The Movie For while at the film's heart there is Kate, a female team technical director played by Oscar-nominated Kerry Condon, it falls to Pitt's character Sonny Hayes to show the little lady how to actually win a race and to sort out the 'shitbox' car she'd developed. Before long she is throwing her physics degree aside to tumble helplessly into the arms of our hero. Meanwhile, in the pit lane the eager-to-please lone young woman among the all-male team manages to fumble awkwardly with her tools during a botched tyre change, almost causing an accident. The few other female characters pop up mainly to swoon over handsome drivers or fret over how they might get hurt. Brad Pitt stars as washed up racing driver Sonny Hayes in F1: The Movie Back in the real world, F1: The Movie premiered just a few days after Sky Sports F1 presenter Rachel Brookes - who has a cameo appearance in the film - revealed the 'enormous amounts of vile abuse' from so-called fans in wake of an interview with current World Champion Max Verstappen. That followed Channel 4's motorsport presenter Lee McKenzie telling of vile abuse by trolls who targeted her looks and weight, prompting her to respond with a post highlighting health struggles. Comments, she said, had come from 'came from women and men alike'. All of which raises the question: is motorsport stuck in first gear when it comes to gender equality, sexism and misogyny? And what can be done to halt the flood of online abuse towards its female fans? Brad Pitt attends the premiere of F1: The Movie in Times Square, New York (Image: Getty Images for Warner Bros. Pictures) Away from the bustle of the grid, Scottish academic and motorsport enthusiast Kimberley Wyllie is in the driving seat of new research that explores online sexism and misogyny within motor racing fandom – a problem that clearly runs deeper than Hollywood scripts. She is one of four international women scholars chosen to carry out research at Dublin City University, in a project overseen by Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body for world motorsport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. Kimberley Wyllie's research is examining sexism and misogyny among F1 fans (Image: Contributed) Working under the FIA's United Against Online Abuse banner, while her colleagues explore online abuse within Italian football settings, the impact of educational measures on cyber abuse and governance responses, Falkirk-raised Kimberley is analysing the rising problem of online abuse, its impact on women's engagement with the sport and, left unchecked, how it might well turn them off it. Findings from the group's two-year research projects will be used to help to improve understanding of the impact of sexist and abusive online comments and provide a framework to drive behavioural and regulatory change. Read more by Sandra Dick: Kimberley's research comes at a time when F1 and motorsport in general is basking in the spotlight of global attention, with rising numbers of women taking an interest as fans and participants. According to the F1's 2023 Gender Pay Gap Report, in 2018 the sport's gender split was 72 per cent male and 28 percent female. By 2022, the split had shifted to 69 per cent and 31 per cent. Around 70 percent of F1's Instagram followers are women, while F1 travel specialists are said to be dealing with rising numbers of bookings from women seeking Grand Prix breaks. Leading the way is Oban-born Susie Wolff, the former professional racing driver who took part in a practice run in an F1 car at the 2014 British Grand Prix, making her the first woman to do so since Italian driver Giovanna Amati in 1992. Oban-born Susie Wolff heads women's racing championship F1 Academy As managing director of all-female racing series F1 Academy and one of the sport's most influential women, she has stated her intention to see a woman in the driving seat of an F1 racer within a decade. 'I see the change, it's happening before my eyes,' Wolff said recently. 'The paddock has so many more women, in different roles and functions, but also because the world is changing – the sport has evolved with it. 'We've got a lot of momentum.' But could online abuse, misogyny and sexist comments get in the way? 'With Drive to Survive, which came out in 2019, and the new F1 Academy series, there is a lot of discourse around females in motorsport,' says Kimberley. 'That community is one of the fastest growing fan bases within motorsport, and we don't want to lose that. 'We don't want women to come in the door and then leave after a season. 'It's about working out how we can make the space more inclusive and safer.' Netflix series Drive to Survive has helped boost fan numbers to the sport (Image: Sofia Mishuris) Her research is breaking fresh ground. With no existing motorsport surveys exploring the impact of online abuse on women fans, Kimberley, who has Psychology Master's and Bachelor's degrees from the University of Stirling and Heriot-Watt University, has turned to comparisons with football and rugby where women have long battled marginalisation. While challenges in those sports often bubble up on the terraces and within the stadium, for female motorsport fans the battleground is more likely to be in the more difficult to control ether of cyberspace. 'Historically, abuse would have been at the venue, with sexist comments and remarks like 'how can you be a real fan? You are just here for the hot players or driver',' says Kimberley. Away from the track, online abuse among F1 fans is under scrutiny (Image: Courtesy of Netflix) 'The facilities weren't there to accommodate females - stadia used to have just one gender toilets. 'Just one percent of people who follow motorsport ever attend a Grand Prix,' adds Kimberley, who is also managing editor of Women in a Man's Race Magazine. 'As things have grown, that has translated to online sphere.' And what's shifted online appears to be increasingly hostile. 'There's a growing number of female fans, and it seems to be that there's also a large increase in the hate speech comments that they are receiving.' Brad Pitt and F1: The Movie co-star Damson Idris during filming at Silverstone As well as exploring the scale of the problem for women, she aims to catalogue the abuse, distinguishing between public taunts versus private threats, micro‑aggressions wrapped in 'banter', and gender‑targeted jibes - especially around intelligence and knowledge of the sport, or domestic stereotypes. A classic example, she says, is James Bond stunt driver Jess Hawkins' 2023 Aston Martin test, the first time in five years that a woman had got behind the wheel of an F1 racing car. Hawkins completed 26 laps in difficult wet conditions at the Hungaroring, venue of F1's Hungarian Grand Prix, to be met by vicious online comments ranging from 'women belong in the kitchen' to snide remarks over her driving capabilities and likelihood that she'd crash. 'A large chunk of those accounts were male presenting,' says Kimberley. 'When looking at the comments from female presenting accounts, it was 'hope she does well'. 'The same follows in other sports. Women are subjected to more gender-based abuse whereas the abuse against male fans or wider population is abusive in general. 'Female abuse targets their gender or perceived gender roles, their looks, stereotypes that they should be mothers and that sport isn't for them, they are 'the weaker sex'.' Scots woman racing driver Logan Hannah on track during an appearance with F1 Academy (Image: Knockhill Racing Circuit.) There are contradictions in male allies too, she says. 'Generally, it's dads and grandads that get girls into the sport. 'But once they are there, it can feel like they don't belong. Male fans are push them out. 'Men are often the people that bring women in, but men can be the people who put women out of sport.' Male fans can be just as brutal and bullying towards each other. 'It seems there's an undermining aspect,' she adds. 'Male fans will typically call someone a 'real fan' if they have been there for years, if they can answer all the questions, show up wearing all the merchandise. 'They have quite a prescribed list of what makes someone a 'fan'. 'Female fans seem to be more flexible; they just want you to have an interest in it. 'A lot of the abuse comes from those different definitions. 'Because someone doesn't know what happened in, say, the 1978 season, it opens up to 'how can you be a real fan?' 'It spirals from general fan banter to more systemic abuse and hate speech.' Racing driver Abbi Pulling features in new Netflix series F1: The Academy Online abuse within motorsport fan circles isn't only targeted at women. In recent weeks, F1 drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Jack Doohan have been at the centre of vile online comments while the FIA, F1, F2 and F3 came together in a joint statement condemning all forms of abuse and harassment. There are fine lines between gentle jibes and abuse, Kimberley adds. 'Fans will never all get on and it would be silly to think we can do this work and everyone will be best friends afterwards. 'And sport has that competitive edge, where you can go at it against one another. 'It's about finding where that difference lies and how we make the sphere safer for people to be in.' Read more by Sandra Dick: Meanwhile, there are positive signs. The FIA's United Against Online Abuse coalition was set up in 2022 by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem in response to the growing crisis of online abuse across the sporting world. It works with sports federations, national governments, regulatory bodies, and technology platforms, with the aim of fostering regulatory and behavioural change to combat the rise of online harassment and hate speech. And initiatives like F1 Academy and More Than Equal, co-founded by ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard and dedicated to discovering and mentoring female talent into the sport, are paving the way for new drivers. "It's about application," he said recently when asked if women could compete physically with men in an F1 seat. "If you work yourself physically, then there's no physical reason a woman can't drive in F1. The rest is down to skill." Former racing driver David Coulthard founded women drivers' campaign More Than Equal (Image: Getty) 'There are many things on going on to increase (female) participation, whether as competitors, in the workforce or as a fan of motorsport,' adds Kimberley. 'I think over time motorsport is going to become more inclusive and while I don't think we'll ever get a 50-50 split, we will get closer, and maybe females will no longer feel marginalised. 'The goal is about making it more inclusive for everyone regardless of race, gender or background.'

Mel C posts sweet message to Spice Girls' Mel B after she misses her star-studded wedding to Rory McPhee
Mel C posts sweet message to Spice Girls' Mel B after she misses her star-studded wedding to Rory McPhee

Scottish Sun

time2 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Mel C posts sweet message to Spice Girls' Mel B after she misses her star-studded wedding to Rory McPhee

MELANIE C issues a sweet message to her Spice Girls bandmate Mel B after she missed her lavish London wedding. The popstar was absent from Mel's happy day at St Paul's Cathedral on Saturday, which saw Emma Bunton, 49, the sole other girl group member in attendance. Advertisement 7 Spice Girl Mel C has revealed the real reason she didn't attend bandmate Mel B's wedding Credit: Getty - Contributor 7 Scary Spice, 50, said I Do to Rory McPhee at St Paul's Cathedral on Saturday Credit: Splash 7 Emma Bunton, far right, was the only other Spice Girl present bar bride Mel Credit: Getty 7 The Wannabe hitmaker looked stunning on her special day Credit: Splash New bride Mel, 50, sealed her wedding to groom Rory McPhee with a kiss outside the architectural landmark. The Wannabe singer stunned in a gown adorned with dazzling pearl detail around the collar and sleeves and a long flowing veil as she stepped out of the iconic venue. Ahead of the ceremony, fellow Spice Girl Emma Bunton led the star-studded arrivals in a pale pink frock and matching hat as she rocked up with husband Jade Jones and son Beau, 17. Yet Mel C, who forged a solo career post-band with tracks including I Turn To You, has now revealed the reason for her no-show. Advertisement She uploaded a snap showing the happy couple together with the words: "So so happy for you both and beyond gutted I couldn't be there. "Excited to celebrate with you really soon. Yipee!" In her next slide, Mel showcased a snap of her performing in Stockholm, Sweden. She added the words: "Bit of a soggy one last night." Advertisement SPICE UP YOUR LIFE It comes after it was revealed that 51-year-old Victoria Beckham wouldn't be attending the nuptials. But making sure that Mel felt the love, she shared an Instagram tribute post ahead of her big day with Rory. Mel B's hen do celebrations Posh Spice took to her Instagram stories to share a stunning snap of her and her bandmate looking all glammed up. She added the sweet caption: "Sending love to you @officialmelb! Advertisement "@rorymcphee is a very lucky man! xx." Victoria, as well as fellow bandmate Geri, were not present at the ceremony. The MailOnline originally told how Victoria would be out of the country and therefore would not be present to watch Mel walk down the aisle. A source said: "Victoria has long standing plans out of the country and she simply can't be there. Advertisement "She adores Mel, they get on really well despite their paths going in opposite directions. It's a real shame. "There is no issue between them, they haven't fallen out. It's just one of those things." Meanwhile Geri is said to have been absent because of her tense relationship with Mel. The two women had a pretty big falling out when Mel B revealed that she had an intimate relationship with Geri when the band was starting out. Advertisement Mel made the confession while she was being interviewed for Piers Morgan's Life Stories in 2019. Geri was stunned and upset by Mel's admission, and even more saddened when Mel allegedly did not issue an apology. 7 Mel was on stage in Sweden at the time of the ceremony Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 7 Baby Spice looked stunning in pale pink attire Credit: Splash Advertisement

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