I Saw The TV Glowhas become a streaming success after its release earlier this year. Directed by Jane Schoenbrun, the A24 horror film stars Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine as two teenagers who bond over a sci-fi TV show that begins to make them their question their realities.Reviews forI Saw the TV Glowwere generally positive from critics, and the film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2024 before a limited theatrical release in May, currently has an 84% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Now, new data fromReelgoodreveals thatI Saw the TV Glowranks seventh on a list of the most popular streaming movies in the U.S. for the week of September 19 – 24. The film, which is streaming on Max, beatsA Quiet Place: Day One(2024) at number 8,Beetlejuice(1988) at number 9, andKinds of Kindness(2024) at number 10. In descending order,I Saw the TV Glowfalls behindUglies(2024),The Fall Guy(2024),Challengers(2024),Rebel Ridge(2024),His Three Daughers(2024), and, at number one,Civil War(2024).
What I Saw The TV Glow’s Streaming Success Means For The Film
How The A24 Movie Did At The Box Office
I Saw the TV Glowmay have fared well with critics, but it struggled to find its footing with audiences. The movie, which has a 70% audience score onRotten Tomatoes, was made on an estimated budget of $10 million, but grossed only $5.3 million worldwide. The vast majority of this total came from the limited North American release, however, as the film was not widely released outside the U.S. and Canada.
10 Great Lo-Fi Horror Movies Like I Saw The TV Glow
Lo-fi horror movies such as I Saw the TV Glow are characterized by dreamlike visuals, bizarre narratives, and chilling slow-burn dread.
It’s unlikely thatI Saw the TV Glow’s performance on VOD and streaming will offset these box office losses.The film does, however, seem ripe to become a cult classicin the coming years as more people discover it, and availability on streaming could go a long way in this respect. Some captivating imagery and an interesting title could be enough to get viewers to watch the film at home, but it’sI Saw the TV Glow’s themes, particularly those relating to gender and transsexuality, that will help it stand the test of time and continue to widen its reach.
Our Take On I Saw The TV Glow’s Streaming Success
Schoenbrun’s Film Is Worth Celebrating
The commercial prospects forI Saw the TV Glowwere never great, but it’s commendable that A24 backed Schoenbrun’s vision and helped to make it a reality.A24 continues to produce thought-provoking and auteur-driven projects that stand outfrom the crowd, andI Saw the TV Glow’s filmingstyle, themes, and story certainly helps it do just that.
AfterWe’re All Going To The World’s Fair(2021),Schoenbrun remains a fascinating filmmaker operating in a unique space. Considering the commercial performance of Schoenbrun’s most recent effort, it’s likely that she will continue to operate at this smaller scale and budget level, but these types of films often end up being the most interesting. It remains to be seen what Schoenbrun will do next afterI Saw the TV Glow, but more people are evidently discovering the film now that it’s on streaming.
I Saw the TV Glow
Cast
I Saw the TV Glow follows teenager Owen, who navigates suburban life until introduced by classmate Maddy to a mysterious late-night TV show.
