
2025 best picture winner 'Anora' dominates Hulu charts after Oscar victory
Baker, known for his raw, neorealist filmmaking, has long been celebrated for highlighting America's overlooked and underprivileged. While 'Tangerine' (2015), 'The Florida Project' (2017), and 'Red Rocket' (2021) cemented his status as an indie powerhouse, 'Anora' marked his mainstream breakthrough.
The film follows Mikey Madison's Ani, an erotic dancer and sex worker in New York City who becomes entangled in a whirlwind romance with Ivan Zakharov (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of Russian billionaires. Their dynamic takes a turn when Ivan's oligarch parents attempt to annul the marriage, sparking a tense and chaotic chase—one that plays out with Safdie brothers-style energy.
A box office success, 'Anora' grossed $52 million against a $6 million budget after its theatrical release in October 2024. It later topped iTunes charts in multiple countries before making its Hulu debut on March 17, 2025. According to FlixPatrol, the film entered Hulu's streaming rankings at No. 4, with projections suggesting it will climb even higher.
To claim the top spot, 'Anora' will need to surpass Bill Burr's standup special 'Drop Dead Years' and 'Force of Nature: The Dry 2', but its Oscar prestige and strong audience interest give it a clear advantage.
With Hulu's viewership surge, 'Anora' solidifies Baker's rise in Hollywood, proving that his unique storytelling and focus on marginalized voices continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet breakup rumors intensify amid busy schedules
Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet are facing renewed breakup rumors, with insiders suggesting the couple's romance may be little more than a carefully staged 'showmance.' RadarOnline reports that the 28-year-old entrepreneur and the 29-year-old Oscar-nominated actor have not been seen together publicly for over a month, sparking speculation about their relationship status. Although Jenner recently liked one of Chalamet's Instagram posts and joined him briefly in Budapest on August 20, where he is filming Dune: Part Three, sources claim these gestures were orchestrated to give the impression of unity. 'They haven't seen each other for weeks because Timothée's been filming in Budapest, while Kylie has been working in Los Angeles,' one insider told RadarOnline 'They FaceTime and miss each other, but they're leading separate lives, and the end feels inevitable.' Another source added that Chalamet's filming commitments, which will soon take him to Jordan and Abu Dhabi, continue to clash with Jenner's responsibilities as a mother and business owner. Despite having access to private travel, the distance and demanding schedules are reportedly creating strain. Jenner, who built her empire through Kylie Cosmetics, Kylie Skin, and her fashion label Khy, recently celebrated her 28th birthday with her mother Kris Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Justin Bieber. Meanwhile, Chalamet continues to build his career, recently earning a second Academy Award nomination for his performance in A Complete Unknown. The couple began dating in January 2023 and went public later that year. While neither Jenner nor Chalamet has commented on the speculation, sources suggest they are 'reluctant to split' but face mounting challenges.


Business Recorder
15 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Michelle Yeoh sees ‘Ne Zha 2' movie as homage to Chinese mythology
LOS ANGELES: For Oscar-winning actor Michelle Yeoh, it is time for Hollywood to focus more on Asian mythological characters like the ones showcased in the Chinese film 'Ne Zha 2,' which has become the highest-grossing animated film in history worldwide. 'They're warriors and demigods,' Yeoh, who voices the role of Ne Zha's mom for the film's English dub, told Reuters. 'I guess it's like Zeus, you know, and Thor, but these are ours. And I think that's very important because when you learn about another culture's myths, you have a nice, deeper understanding, and it teaches you to embrace something that is different,' the 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' actor added. 'Ne Zha 2,' distributed by A24, follows the events of the first film, 1999's 'Ne Zha.' In the new film, the souls of Nezha and Aobing work to regain their physical bodies and protect their families. The original film grossed over $700 million worldwide. The English dubbed version of the fantasy film directed by Yu Yang and based on Xu Zhonglin's 16th-century novel called 'Investiture of the Gods,' arrives in U.S. theaters on Friday. The sequel, originally in Mandarin, made waves when it overtook Pixar's 'Inside Out 2' in February to become the highest-grossing animated film globally in history, according to data from ticketing platform Maoyan. 'Ne Zha 2' has amassed a total box office of 12.3 billion yuan ($1.69 billion) including pre-sales and overseas earnings, making it the eighth highest grossing box office film globally in history. While Yeoh emphasizes the cultural richness of the film, she wants audiences of all walks of life to understand that the most important thing is that it's 'a beautiful story.' 'I think we should stop seeing it as, 'Oh it's a Chinese film,'' she added. The 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' actor recalled watching the movie for the first time and not being able to tear her eyes away from the screen. 'You're going up to the heavens. You're going down to the bottom of the seas. You see the dragons. You see all these kind of things, and just for that two hours - be transported,' Yeoh said.


Express Tribune
16 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Glen Powell explains why he won't play James Bond: 'I'm Texan'
As speculation grows about who will succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond, Glen Powell has firmly rejected suggestions that he could take on the iconic role. Powell, whose career has accelerated since Top Gun: Maverick, addressed the rumours in a recent interview. 'I'm Texan. A Texan should not play James Bond,' he said. 'My family and I joke around, I can play Jimmy Bond, but I should not be playing James Bond. Get an authentic Brit for that job. That's who belongs in that tuxedo.' The comments place Powell among the few Hollywood stars to distance themselves from one of cinema's most coveted roles. With Denis Villeneuve set to direct the franchise's next chapter, speculation around rising stars continues to dominate film discussions. Some popular British contenders for the role include Theo James, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Regé-Jean Page and Henry Golding, with the latter claiming the Bond role is "every actor's nightmare" due to the cultural pressure surrounding it. As for Powell, rather than leaning into Bond speculation, he is focusing on Chad Powers, a Hulu comedy based on Eli Manning's viral alter ego. Co-created and headlined by Powell, the series follows a college football player who invents a false identity to secure a place on a new team. It marks a clear shift from blockbuster action to comedic storytelling. By rejecting Bond, Powell highlights both respect for the franchise's British roots and confidence in his own path.