We Knew Conclave Was Popular After Pope Francis’ Death, But Netflix Just Released A Stunning Stat For The Two Popes, Too

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The film titled “Conclave,” which portrays a papal conclave, was launched just six months ago and garnered significant attention from movie enthusiasts, even making it a top contender during the award season. Given this, it’s not surprising that after Pope Francis‘ passing, people are still drawn to watching the movie. Interestingly, those who wished to commemorate the Pope but didn’t have a Peacock subscription found alternative ways to express their feelings about his demise.

2019 saw the debut of “The Two Popes” on Netflix. This movie featured Jonathan Pryce portraying Cardinal Bergoglio, who later became Pope Francis, and Anthony Hopkins (in a remarkable performance) as Pope Benedict XVI. In 2013, an unusual event occurred when Benedict XVI stepped down as Pope, paving the way for Francis. The film garnered attention during awards season but may not have been top-of-mind for many viewers for the past six years. However, it has recently surged in popularity on Netflix and is now one of their most-watched movies.

The Two Popes Viewership Exploded On Netflix

Based on reports from Netflix (as reported by Variety), “The Two Popes” garnered approximately 3.2 million views worldwide during the week of April 21 – 27, marking a significant surge of 417%. This strong showing landed the film at the #7 spot on Netflix’s Top 10 movie list, demonstrating that it left a more lasting impact than might have been initially assumed.

This movie directed by Fernando Meirelles primarily consists of a dialogue between the present and future Pope, discussing, debating, and contemplating the essence, role, and future of the Catholic Church. The discussions, to the best of our knowledge, are fictional, although they are inspired by the speeches and written works of these two prominent Catholic figures.

Absolutely, since the movie character Pope Francis in “The Two Popes” is based on the real person’s beliefs, it offers a chance for viewers to grasp more about the real Pope Francis’ personality.

Conclave Has Also Seen A Viewership Bump On Peacock

As a cinephile, I must say that the intriguing film Conclave, which delves into the process of electing a new Pope, experienced a staggering 283% surge in viewership post the demise of Pope Francis. Given that it was relatively new on Peacock, it’s safe to assume that it had been garnering decent views. However, it seems that those who hadn’t yet tuned in made a conscious effort to do so following the news of Francis’ passing.

With the upcoming conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor slated for May 7, it’s likely the popularity of that movie will persist for another couple of weeks or so. Viewers may find themselves speculating about how closely the film’s ending resembles real-life events.

The passing of a Pope is undeniably a significant occurrence for Catholics worldwide, but it’s also a seldom-seen historical event that transcends religious boundaries, prompting many people – regardless of their faith – to seek understanding and perspective. Art, particularly great works, has the unique ability to provide such context.

In summary, why not sign up for Netflix to watch “The Two Popes” and switch over to Peacock to catch “Conclave“? Enjoy your viewing!

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2025-04-30 18:37