• by Karlene Lukovitz  @KLmarketdaily, December 29, 2022

Paramount Pictures' “Top Gun: Maverick” became Paramount+’s  most-watched movie premiere in its first weekend (Dec. 22-25), surpassing the previous record-holder, “Sonic the Hedgehog,” by 60%, according to the studio.

Paramount+, the revamped successor to CBS All Access, launched in the U.S. and some other markets in March 2021.

Paramount, which did not release the actual viewing stats behind its claims, also reported that “Maverick” has increased viewing of the original “Top Gun” on Paramount+ by nearly 400%, and viewing of the “Mission Impossible” franchise movies on the service by more than 140%.

“Maverick” was already 2022’s top domestic and global box-office winner, having generated more than $1.48 billion.

It is also Paramount Pictures’ highest-grossing domestic release in history; the first movie ever to be No. 1 at the box office for both the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends; and the largest-grossing Memorial Day weekend film of all time, according to Paramount.

Brian Robbins, president and CEO of Paramount Pictures and chief content officer, movies and kids and family, Paramount+, cited the movie’s record performance across theatrical, digital and streaming as proof of the power of Paramount’s multiplatform release strategy. “Across all of our 2022 titles, and now with “Top Gun: Maverick,” our studio has unlocked the value of variable windowing that streaming provides to augment a film’s overall success,” he stated.

Of course, the success of release strategies relies heavily on whether movies strike a chord with the public.

While sequels aren’t generally known for earning awards and critical accolades, as Paramount’s press release points out, “Maverick” made AFI’s 10 Best Films of 2022 list, and was awarded best film by the National Board of Review. It also received Golden Globe nominations for best motion picture-drama and best original song-motion picture (“Hold My Hand,” by Lady Gaga and Bloodpop), and Critics Choice Award nominations for best film and best actor. 

The film's soundtrack reached No. 1 album and soundtrack on iTunes, No. 1 soundtrack on Amazon, and No. 2 album on Spotify, and “Hold My Hand” and One Republic’s “I Ain’t Worried” made top-50 lists across music charts.