Stephen King's Terrifying Prequel Shatters Streaming Records Despite Harsh Critiques

Article Overview

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, a prequel to the 2019 movie, has set a streaming record on Paramount+.

Bloodlines has now become the highest-grossing original movie in the platform's history. In a mere three weeks, Pet Sematary: Bloodlines outperformed the previous record-holder, Teen Wolf: The Movie, marking a significant triumph for Paramount+.

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines has achieved a significant streaming milestone by breaking a major record. Serving as a prequel to the 2019 film Pet Sematary, which was the second cinematic adaptation of Stephen King's renowned 1983 novel, the new movie takes place in 1969 and focuses on the character Jud Crandall during his youth. Portrayed by Jackson White, the ensemble cast also includes Forrest Goodluck, Jack Mulhern, Henry Thomas, Natalie Alyn Lind, Isabella Star LaBlanc, Samantha Mathis, Pam Grier, and David Duchovny.

According to TheWrap, the Pet Sematary prequel has now become the most-watched original film on the Paramount+ streaming platform within the first 30 days of its release. This achievement holds significant importance in terms of streaming viewership. Surpassing the previous top title, Teen Wolf: The Movie, released in January, which served as a continuation of the popular MTV series Teen Wolf, Pet Sematary's prequel achieved this milestone in just three weeks, despite receiving a harsh 23% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Paramount+ Should Go All In on Horror After Pet Sematary: Bloodlines

Paramount+ has demonstrated its versatility by producing original movies across a range of genres, extending beyond the realm of horror. Noteworthy examples include the LGBTQ+ dramedy Three Months, the animated flick The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, and the thrilling science fiction film Significant Other. Nonetheless, the undeniable triumph of movies like Teen Wolf: The Movie and Pet Sematary: Bloodlines suggests that the horror genre holds immense potential for the streaming platform.

Additionally, Paramount+ achieved remarkable success by simultaneously releasing a horror film both in select theaters and on its platform. The prime example is Orphan: First Kill, released in 2022, which managed to rake in an impressive $44 million from theater screenings while simultaneously being available for streaming. This achievement not only hints at the possibility of a sequel to Pet Sematary: Bloodlines in the near future but also indicates that Paramount+ should explore a diverse range of horror projects to further capitalize on this success.

The Pet Sematary: Bloodlines director has hinted at an "elaborate backstory" for a potential sequel.

Currently, none of the upcoming Paramount+ movies that have been officially announced fall under the horror genre. However, there is room for growth within the Pet Sematary: Bloodlines storyline, allowing for potential expansion. Furthermore, the streaming service has other possibilities to explore. They could consider creating sequels for their horror films Orphan: First Kill and Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin, as well as producing new original horror titles. Additionally, they may explore the option of developing sequels and spinoffs based on existing Paramount properties.

Source: TheWrap

Editor's P/S

1. Stephen King's prequel movie "Pet Sematary: Bloodlines" has shattered streaming records on Paramount+, becoming the highest-grossing original movie in the platform's history in just three weeks. Despite receiving harsh critiques and a low Rotten Tomatoes rating of 23%, the film has surpassed the previous record-holder, "Teen Wolf: The Movie." This achievement indicates that Paramount+ should embrace the horror genre and explore diverse horror projects to capitalize on this success.

2. The prequel's director has hinted at an "elaborate backstory" for a potential sequel, leaving room for further expansion within the "Pet Sematary" storyline. Additionally, Paramount+ has the opportunity to create sequels for its other horror films, such as "Orphan: First Kill" and "Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin," as well as develop new original horror titles. By exploring the horror genre, Paramount+ can attract a wider audience and continue to achieve streaming success.