An underrated crime comedy is getting a new wave of recognition on streaming nine years after it struggled at the box office. It can be hard to predict which older movies will suddenly gain traction on streaming platforms. Of course, people will always rewatch popular classics, but other streaming hits defy logic, since they weren’t particularly successful when they were in theaters. Thebest crime comediescan be huge crowdpleasers, however, since they have a broader appeal than many other comedy movies, especially if there’s a splash of action.
A lot has been said about the decline of studio comedies in the 21st century, especially mid-budget comedies that fared so well in the 1980s and 1990s. There are still some great comedies being produced, but they aren’t quite the same as they used to be. Broad, laugh-out-loud comedies are getting hard to come by, as many of the funniest movies in recent years have been genre mash-ups. Still, there are some exceptions, and it’s worth paying attention to the kinds of comedies that suddenly get big on streaming platforms, because these could indicate what audiences are missing.
Masterminds Is A Surprise Hit On Paramount+
Zach Galifianakis' 2016 Heist Comedy Has Found A New Surge Of Popularity
The 2016 crime comedyMastermindshas become an unexpected hit on Paramount +, sitting in the third spot in the streaming platform’s weekly top 10. (viaFlixPatrol) This comes as a surprise considering that it has never been particularly popular, pulling in just $29.7 million at the box office on a budget of $25 million. It also sits at just 34% on Rotten Tomatoes, with an audience score of 35%. Still, although it may not be to everyone’s tastes,Mastermindshas some great moments, thanks in part to the talents ofa cast that includes Zach Galifianakis, Kirsten Wiig, Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis.
Mastermindsis based on a true story, which is a rare novelty for a heist movie. The ironic title comes from the fact that the perpetrators of the 1997 Loomis Fargo robbery made several embarrassing mistakes both during and after the heist which led to their arrest. Since it’s a comedy,Mastermindsdoesn’t mind fudging the details here and there, and it’s often more interested in giving its hilarious cast room to do what they do best. While some gags miss the mark,there’s still a lot to love, especially Sudeikis' folksy assassin character. Perhaps the vicious reviews were a little harsh.
Our Take On Masterminds' Streaming Success
Masterminds' Newfound Popularity Shows That There Aren’t Enough Fun New Comedies
This latent triumph forMastermindsproves that there’s still an audience for these types of fun-loving comedies that showcase great ensemble casts. It’s worth mentioning thatthe Paramount+ top 10 is dominated by comedies, withMean Girls, She’s the Man, The Nice Guys, Norbitand more joiningMasterminds.Hopefully, consistent statistics like this will be able to convince the decision-makers in Hollywood to invest more in original comedy movies. For the time being, watchingMastermindsand similar movies on streaming will have to do.
