'Wonder Woman 1984' Sets Viewing Records For HBO Max, Survey Shows

Warner Bros.' decision to release “Wonder Woman 1984” on HBO Max seems to be paying off as the film had the biggest streaming debut for a subscription video on demand (SVOD) movie in 2020, edging out “Hamilton” (Disney+) and “Soul” (Disney+).

A survey conducted by Screen Engine, one of the leading firms studying moviegoing and customer habits, showed that the second installment of the superhero franchise has been watched more in its first week than Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton,” which previously held the record for the biggest streaming debut this year, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

“Wonder Woman 1984” also left behind Disney/Pixar’s latest animation film, “Soul.” The movie, featuring the voices of Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey, was one of the biggest competitors for the Gal Gadot-led superhero flick and also received universal acclaim.

The survey also found that 23% of those who saw “Wonder Woman 1984” on HBO Max signed up for the streaming service to watch the movie, while 13% of those who viewed “Soul” on Disney+ got a subscription.

Further, the report suggested that 19% of existing HBO Max subscribers would have canceled their subscriptions if WB had not decided to release the movie on it.

“Both films did about the same at keeping current subscribers from churning,” THR quoted Mark Orne, executive VP of Screen Engine's cross-platform group, as saying.

The report comes a few days after the production company announced that Patty Jenkins and Gadot will be returning for the third “Wonder Woman” film. The decision was taken after the second movie earned $16.7 million in its opening weekend across the U.S. amid the global health crisis.

Globally, "Wonder Woman 1984" has already grossed $85 million.

“As fans around the world continue to embrace Diana Prince, driving the strong opening weekend performance of ‘Wonder Woman 1984,’ we are excited to be able to continue her story with our real-life Wonder Women — Gal and Patty — who will return to conclude the long-planned theatrical trilogy,” Warner Bros. chief Toby Emmerich said in a statement to Deadline.

Directed and co-written by Jenkins, “Wonder Woman 1984” stars Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal in pivotal roles. The movie is currently in theaters and streaming on HBO Max.