Tyler Perry's The Single Moms Club has defied initial critical reception to become a surprising hit on the streaming platform, Netflix. The film, released in 2014, follows the story of five single mothers who come together when their sons face expulsion from school. Initially met with harsh reviews, the movie has found a new lease of life in the streaming era.
When The Single Moms Club was first released, it received an 18% score from critics and a 58% score from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Typically, such poor ratings would signal the demise of a film, but the rise of streaming platforms has allowed for unexpected resurgences. In fact, the movie has recently made its way onto Netflix's Global Top 10 streaming report, ranking at No.5 for streams for the week of January 8 through January 14. It garnered 8.5 million hours viewed and a total of 4.6 million views during that time. Notably, it even surpassed the longevity of The Super Mario Bros Movie, which had been on the list for seven weeks.
This phenomenon is not entirely new. Over the years, many films that were initially considered flops found a second life through physical sales or other means of availability. Cult classics, in particular, developed a devoted following long after their theatrical runs. Streaming platforms have now taken on the role that physical rentals once did, offering viewers the chance to discover and enjoy movies they may have missed out on.
Tyler Perry, known for his successful Madea franchise, has mastered the art of capitalizing on these revivals. While some of his works have gone straight to video or streaming, they continue to find a substantial audience. In 2023, Perry signed a four-year film deal with Netflix, which includes the production of eight movies over that period. His ability to attract viewers cannot be denied, and The Single Moms Club's current success on Netflix is further testament to this.
The film's recent resurgence only adds to Perry's accomplishments. Despite its initial lukewarm reception, The Single Moms Club caught the attention of the OWN network, leading to a spinoff called If Loving You Is Wrong. This spinoff ran for five seasons and even broke records as the network's highest-rated premiere. Therefore, those who enjoyed the film on Netflix may now have the opportunity to delve deeper into the story by exploring the spinoff available on Apple TV.
Tyler Perry's The Single Moms Club, though it may not have immediately captured everyone's hearts, has grown to become a surprising hit on Netflix. Its comedic and dramatic storytelling, combined with Perry's strong fan base, has fueled its unexpected success. As streaming platforms continue to provide opportunities for films to find new audiences, it's clear that a movie's journey doesn't end with its initial release.
