Charlize Theron's survival thriller Apex pulled in 40.2 million views on Netflix during the week of April 27, holding the top position on the streamer's English-language film chart for a second consecutive week. Its debut week had already drawn 38.2 million views, making the back-to-back performance one of the stronger sustained runs on the platform in recent memory.
Alongside Apex's continued dominance, the TV chart was claimed by Man on Fire, a series adaptation of the A.J. Quinnell novel that also inspired the 2004 Denzel Washington film. Starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, the show drew 11 million views in its debut week to top Netflix's English-language television rankings.
Both titles share the same producer: Peter Chernin's North Road Company. With Apex leading the film chart and Man on Fire topping TV, North Road became the first independent studio to hold the number-one position in both categories simultaneously on Netflix, according to Variety. Sony Entertainment had previously held both slots, but as a major studio rather than an independent producer.
"We're so proud of our creative teams, and this moment is really a testament to how high of a bar we've set for them," North Road CEO Scott Mason told Variety. Chernin called the dual chart success "a great indicator of our diversity and quality," noting the company had also recently released Love Is Blind and Hulk Hogan: Real American.
Netflix made a substantial marketing push for Apex, blanketing major markets with advertising and sending Theron to the top of Times Square for a promotional appearance. The film's soundtrack has generated its own momentum: the Chemical Brothers track "Go," featured during a key scene, has climbed into Spotify's Viral 50 chart and reached the top of Shazam's global song rankings for the week.
"Charlize deserves so much credit for this. She did what you hope a star would do, which is really dedicate herself to supporting it," Chernin said. "She's justifiably proud of the movie."
North Road produced Apex through its premium scripted label Chernin Entertainment, with Chernin, Jenno Topping, and David Ready as producers. Man on Fire was shepherded alongside New Regency. No sequel or second season has been officially greenlit for either project, though Mason and Chernin told Variety those conversations are expected to happen soon.
The broader Netflix film chart for the week of April 27 showed Swapped in second place with 15.5 million views, followed by Thrash at 4.3 million, Migration at 4.1 million, and KPop Demon Hunters at 3.9 million.
