Morbius Rises from the Grave: Jared Leto's Marvel Misfire Dominates Prime Video Charts
📷 Image source: slashfilm.com
An Unlikely Streaming Resurrection
From Critical Failure to Viewership Phenomenon
In a twist that defies its dismal critical reception, Jared Leto's 'Morbius' has clawed its way to the top of the Prime Video streaming charts. According to a report from slashfilm.com, the 2022 Sony Pictures superhero film, widely panned as one of the worst Marvel-related movies ever made, is experiencing a massive surge in viewership. This unexpected revival raises a compelling question: what drives audiences to flock to a film that was so universally criticized upon its theatrical release?
The data, reported by slashfilm.com on September 26, 2025, shows 'Morbius' outperforming a slate of newer and more acclaimed titles. This chart dominance is a stark contrast to the movie's original box office performance, which was so underwhelming that Sony re-released it in theaters just weeks after its debut in a failed attempt to capitalize on viral memes. The film's journey from a commercial and critical disappointment to a streaming heavyweight is a fascinating case study in the modern media landscape.
The Plot of a Flawed Vampire Epic
'Morbius' tells the story of Dr. Michael Morbius, a brilliant biochemist suffering from a rare blood disease. Desperate for a cure, he attempts a risky experiment involving vampire bat DNA. The treatment is a catastrophic success; it heals his body but grants him vampiric abilities, including a thirst for human blood, superhuman strength, and echolocation. Jared Leto portrays the tortured scientist, a man grappling with his monstrous new nature.
The film's narrative follows Morbius as he is hunted by the FBI, led by Agent Simon Stroud, and confronts his surrogate brother, Milo, played by Matt Smith, who embraces the power and bloodlust that Morbius fears. The plot was a key point of criticism, with many reviewers finding it derivative and poorly paced. Despite these narrative flaws, it seems the core concept of a tragic anti-hero is proving irresistible to at-home viewers seeking a straightforward superhero experience.
A Critical Bloodbath Upon Release
When 'Morbius' hit theaters, it was met with a wave of negative reviews that were as sharp as the protagonist's fangs. The film holds a notoriously low score of 15% on the review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes, cementing its status as a critical failure. Reviewers universally panned the film's script, inconsistent tone, and perceived waste of its cast, which also included Adria Arjona and Jared Harris.
Critics described the movie as a dull, confusing, and unoriginal entry in the superhero genre. The backlash was so severe that it became a cultural punchline, with the phrase 'It's Morbin' time' transforming from an awkward line in the film into an ironic internet meme. This negative reception contributed to its swift departure from theaters, making its current streaming success all the more paradoxical. The slashfilm.com report confirms that its reputation as one of the worst Marvel movies has done little to dampen its appeal on Prime Video.
The Power of Ironic Consumption and Meme Culture
A significant factor behind 'Morbius's' streaming renaissance is undoubtedly the power of internet meme culture. The film's initial failure made it a prime target for online ridicule and ironic appreciation. Memes mocking its dialogue, plot holes, and visual effects circulated widely, creating a perverse form of brand awareness. For many viewers, watching 'Morbius' has become a communal, so-bad-it's-good experience.
This phenomenon is not new; films like 'The Room' and 'Showgirls' have found long-term audiences through similar paths. The ease of access on a platform like Prime Video lowers the barrier to entry, allowing curious subscribers to easily join in on the joke. The report from slashfilm.com suggests that viewers are not necessarily seeking a quality cinematic experience but are instead engaging in a form of participatory culture, watching the film to understand the memes and share in the collective irony.
Jared Leto's Divisive Performance
At the center of the film is Jared Leto's intense, and for many, perplexing, performance as Dr. Michael Morbius. Leto, known for his method acting approach, fully commits to the role of the pained scientist. However, his portrayal, filled with grimaces and a gravelly voice, divided audiences and critics alike. Some found it to be an earnest attempt to bring gravity to a flawed script, while others saw it as overly serious and unintentionally humorous.
This divisive nature may actually be contributing to the film's streaming numbers. Leto's dedicated fanbase might be tuning in to support his work, while others are watching to see the performance that sparked so much debate. In an era where actor-driven projects can find new life online, Leto's star power, however polarizing, provides a recognizable hook that draws viewers in where the film's premise alone may not have.
The Sony Spider-Man Universe Conundrum
Finding a Footing Without Spider-Man
'Morbius' is a key film in Sony's Spider-Man Universe (SSU), a series of movies based on characters from Spider-Man's rogues' gallery, but which largely exist without Spider-Man himself. This strategy has yielded mixed results, with the 'Venom' films finding commercial success despite mixed reviews, while 'Morbius' initially stumbled. The film's post-credit scenes, which attempted to create a connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, were particularly criticized for being confusing and poorly executed.
The streaming success of 'Morbius' presents a curious data point for Sony. It indicates that there is an audience for these darker, standalone anti-hero stories, even if they don't meet traditional quality benchmarks. The performance on Prime Video could influence how Sony markets future SSU projects, potentially leaning more heavily on digital platforms where audience engagement metrics differ from box office returns.
The Algorithm's Role in the Revival
The machinery of streaming platform algorithms also plays a crucial role in 'Morbius's' second life. Once a certain number of users watch a film, algorithms like those on Prime Video begin to promote it more aggressively to other subscribers through 'Top 10' lists and personalized recommendations. This creates a feedback loop; visibility begets more views, which in turn increases visibility.
For a film with a known title and a major star like Jared Leto, the algorithm has strong signals to work with. A user who watches other superhero films or movies featuring Leto is likely to be shown 'Morbius.' This automated curation can propel even the most critically maligned films to temporary prominence, demonstrating that on streaming services, discoverability can sometimes trump quality in driving viewership numbers.
What 'Morbius' Says About Modern Moviegoing
The tale of 'Morbius' is more than just a story about one bad movie; it's a reflection of changing consumption habits. Theatrical releases are now just the first chapter in a film's lifecycle, with streaming providing a crucial second chance. A movie that fails to justify a costly trip to the cinema becomes a much more attractive proposition as part of a monthly subscription fee. The risk for the viewer is negligible.
This dynamic separates the financial commitment of a cinema ticket from the casual curiosity of a streaming click. It allows audiences to satisfy their intrigue about a notorious film without feeling they've wasted money. As reported by slashfilm.com, the success of 'Morbius' on Prime Video underscores that in the streaming era, there is no such thing as a true box office flop—only a movie waiting for its right audience to find it on demand.
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