A modernwesternfilm has suddenly become a success on streaming, and the sleeper hit is shooting up the charts on Amazon Prime Video. The genre is not as popular as it once was, but westerns can still be effective in the 21st century. Blending action, period costumes, and complex moral characters, the western is still versatile if handled correctly.
Some modern westerns seek to deconstruct the old ideals, and the anti-western subgenre is all about dispelling the idealized vision of the American West. However, other modern westerns are a bit more straightforward, and aim to capture the fun grandeur of a bygone era of cinema. Both can be popular, but it has to be under the right circumstances.
Now, less than a year after it debuted in theaters back in September 2024,The Thickethas quickly become a streaming hit on Amazon Prime Video. As noted byFlix Patrol, the Peter Dinklage and Juliettte Lewis vehicle made the charts on June 30, and has maintained the eighth position since then.
It’s the first time the movie has had wide exposure, and its theatrical release was limited. It was acquired by Tubi, but the modern western failed to gain much traction. On Prime Video however,it’s joined the likes ofTwisters,Sonic the Hedgehog 3, andThe Accountantin the top ten, and it’s unclear exactly how high it will rise.
What Streaming Success Means For The Thicket
This Is The Best Possible Scenario For The Western
Thecritically-acclaimed westernwas not meant to be a massive theatrical release, andstreaming was where the movie was bound to end up. It did have a short run in cinemas, but with Tubi attached,The Thicketwas seemingly designed to end up as a streaming-exclusive product.
there’s no reason to think that the movie won’t stick around on the charts for a while.
As such, there’s really no shelf life for the movie’s success, andmaking the top ten on Amazon Prime Video is the best possible scenario.Peter Dinklage is a popular enough actorto draw interest, and there’s no reason to think that the movie won’t stick around on the charts for a while.
Our Take On The Thicket’s Streaming Success
Prime Video Produces More Than A Few Surprise Hits
Though there was nothing wrong withThe Thicket,it wasn’t a movie destined to become an overnight sensation. The competently made western is mostly anchored by its star power, and it’s a fun little movie that will likely be forgotten in a few years. With that said,I’m surprised that it made the top ten on Amazon Prime Video.
The Thicketcurrently holds an 80% score onRotten Tomatoes.
The rest of the chart is populated by theatrical blockbusters, andPrime Video’s top ten is usually clogged with the biggest movies from the past few years. It’s nice to see a strong passion project get some attention, though thewesternprobably won’t become a stalwart part of Prime Video’s charts.
