From Flop to Phenomenon: The Astonishing Resurgence of Justin Timberlake's Movie on Netflix

Summary

In Time, a 2011 sci-fi movie set in a world where time is a form of currency, has become an unexpected hit on Netflix after 12 years.

Directed by Andrew Niccol and featuring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried, the film tells the story of a society where the wealthy enjoy an artificially extended life while the less fortunate face the challenge of affording a typical lifespan.

During the week of September 18-24, In Time secured the No. 3 spot on Netflix's Top 10 English-language movies. It attracted an audience of 5.7 million viewers, resulting in a total of 10.4 million viewing hours.

In Time, a 2011 sci-fi film written and directed by Andrew Niccol, best known for Gattaca, has unexpectedly gained popularity on Netflix, 12 years after its release. Starring Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, and Cillian Murphy, the movie is set in a world where humans stop aging at 25 years old. Time becomes a form of currency, as individuals spend or earn the remaining years of their life. This leads to a stark contrast between the rich, who can live unnaturally long, and the poor, who struggle to afford a life beyond their 30s.

Netflix recently revealed its Top 10 highest performing English-language movies for the week of September 18 to September 24. Surprisingly, In Time ranked third on the list, attracting 5.7 million viewers and accumulating a total of 10.4 million hours of viewing time. Despite receiving a low score of 37% on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie managed to resonate with audiences. This is the second time In Time has made an appearance on the Netflix chart, although the previous occurrence was before 2023, making the weeks non-consecutive.

The In Time Cast Is Even More Famous in 2023

One possible reason for In Time's resurgence on the Netflix chart is its star-studded ensemble cast. Since their appearances in the sci-fi film, these actors have achieved even greater success. For instance, Justin Timberlake, who was nominated for an Oscar for his song "Can't Stop the Feeling!" from the movie Trolls, has continued to shine. He has starred in the entire Trolls trilogy, which will feature a reunion of his iconic boy band *NSYNC for the upcoming Trolls Band Together soundtrack.

Amanda Seyfried, Timberlake's co-star, has also experienced remarkable success in recent years. Following her 2021 Oscar nomination for her role in David Fincher's Mank, she won an Emmy for portraying Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout. Additionally, Cillian Murphy, another cast member of In Time, has risen to prominence. He stars in Oppenheimer, which alongside Barbie, debuted on July 21, 2023, becoming one of the most talked-about films of the year. These releases marked a significant resurgence in box office success, as theaters started to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that closed them down in early 2020.

The rest of the cast of In Time features other well-known actors as well. Among them are Matt Bomer, who would go on to star in the Magic Mike trilogy, and Olivia Wilde, who would later direct films like Booksmart and Don't Worry Darling. Their inclusion in the film, along with its intriguing concept, contributed to its success at the box office in 2011, despite receiving negative reviews.