MCU movies, while the British actor has appeared in six.

However, Hemsworth and Holland have appeared in many movies outside the MCU. The former is known for his role in Netflix's action franchise, Extraction, starring in the 2020 film, a 2023 sequel, with another sequel on the way. Holland has also starred in the Netflix film, The Devil All the Time, and some other direct-to-streaming titles, such as Apple TV's Cherry, directed by the Russo brothers. Hemsworth and Holland have also starred together outside the MCU, though the movie bombed at the box office.

In The Heart Of The Sea Becomes A Global Netflix Hit

It Ranks 10th For The Week

In the Heart of the Sea has become a global Netflix hit 10 years after its release. Directed by Ron Howard, with a script written by Charles Leavitt (Blood Diamond) adapted from the non-fiction book by Nathaniel Philbrick, the 2015 film follows the sinking of the American whaling ship, Essex, in 1820 – an event that partially inspired Herman Melville's 1851 novel Moby-Dick. In the Heart of the Sea's cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland, Ben Whishaw, and Brendan Gleeson.

Related
In The Heart Of The Sea Ending Explained: How The Essex's Sinking Leads To Moby Dick

In the Heart of the Sea tells the unbelievable true story of the sinking of the Essex whale ship which served as an inspiration for the classic novel.

Now, 10 years after its release, Hemsworth and Holland's box-office disappointment has become a global Netflix hit. In the Heart of the Sea ranks 10th on Netflix's Global Top 10 movies for this week with 3.7 million views, ranking below Carry-On, The Six Triple Eight, The Secret Life of Pets 2, Dr. Seuss' The Grinch, Avicii - I'm Tim, Non-Stop, Horizon: An American Saga: Chapter 1, That Christmas, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. In the Heart of the Sea is in the Top 10 in only one country – the United States.

What In The Heart Of The Sea's Netflix Success Means For The Movie

It Helps Redeem Its Box Office Disappointment

Though their MCU movies have seen much success, some of Hemsworth and Holland's efforts outside the franchise have struggled mightily, and their 2015 film is one of the best examples of that. In the Heart of the Sea's reviews were mixed, praising its thoughtful storytelling and striking visuals, even though they fall short of the depth and epic grandeur it so evidently aims for. It also bombed at the box office, grossing only $94.3 million against its $100 million budget.

In the Heart of the Sea Key Facts

Release Date

December 11, 2015

Runtime

2h 2m

Budget

$100 million

Box Office

$94.3 million

RT Score

42%

RT Audience Score

54%

A decade later, In the Heart of the Sea's Netflix success offers a small measure of redemption for its box-office failure. While its resurgence as a streaming hit has brought some renewed attention, with it also comes a reminder of the film's underwhelming theatrical run. In light of its recent Netflix success, In the Heart of the Sea's legacy now likely lies somewhere between a cult favorite and a cautionary tale.

Our Take On In The Heart Of The Sea's Netflix Success

MCU Stars Are Better Suited For Streaming

Despite their fame, many MCU stars have struggled to find success at the box office outside the superhero franchise. Films headlined by Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland, or Chris Evans often falter, suggesting audiences are drawn more to the superheroes themselves – such as Thor, Spider-Man, or Captain America – than the actors portraying them. While exceptions exist, the trend underlines a challenge for MCU actors to build strong careers beyond their superhero personas.

In the Heart of the Sea's Netflix resurgence is just the latest example of how, outside the franchise, MCU stars might be better suited for streaming.

In the Heart of the Sea was one of Hemsworth's first major ventures outside the MCU, and it bombed at the box office. At the time, Holland hadn't yet debuted as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War or had his first solo venture in Spider-Man: Homecoming. In addition to In the Heart of the Sea, The Huntsman: Winter's War, Black Hat, and Men in Black: International, all starring Hemsworth, disappointed at the box office, raising major questions about his viability outside the MCU.

Holland has also had his struggles outside the MCU. His attempt to start another franchise, Chaos Walking, failed miserably, and Uncharted has even struggled to make progress on a sequel. However, one area that Hemsworth and Holland have seen consistent success outside the MCU is streaming. As previously mentioned, Hemsworth is the star of Netflix's Extraction franchise, and Holland has starred in Netflix's star-studded Devil All the Time and Apple TV's The Crowded Room. In the Heart of the Sea's Netflix resurgence is just the latest example of how, outside the franchise, MCU stars might be better suited for streaming.

Holland is set to star in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey.

Source: Netflix

  • Chris Hemsworth Profile Picture
    Birthdate
    August 11, 1983
    Birthplace
    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
    Height
    6 feet 3 inches
    Notable Projects
    Thor, Thor: Ragnarok
  • Headshot Of Tom Holland In The 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards
    Birthdate
    June 1, 1996
    Birthplace
    Kingston upon Thames, London, England
    Height
    5 feet 8 inches
    Notable Projects
    Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Far from Home
    Professions
    Actor, Dancer

    Discover the latest news and filmography for Tom Holland, known for Spider-Man: No Way Home and Uncharted.

  • Your Rating

    In the Heart of the Sea
    Release Date
    December 11, 2015
    Runtime
    121minutes
    Director
    Ron Howard

    WHERE TO WATCH

    Based on the real-life event that inspired Moby Dick, In the Heart of the Sea is directed by Ron Howard and stars Chris Hemsworth as Owen Chase, first mate of the whaling ship Essex who must fight for his life in the middle of the ocean when a whale destroys his ship, killing most of his crew and stranding him and a few survivors on a lifeboat. Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland, Ben Whishaw, and Brendan Gleeson also star.