There's something almost ironic about watching John Cena's Peacemaker—an antihero devoted to “peace through violence”—get dethroned by real-world violence retold as entertainment. On August 2, Peacemaker returned for its second season, sliding neatly into James Gunn's freshly assembled DC Universe lineup. For weeks, it felt unstoppable. Cena's brash, foul-mouthed vigilante and his ragtag band, the 11th Street Kids, dominated streaming charts. Until they didn't.
By August 27, the reliable aggregator Flix Patrol reported a shift: The Yogurt Shop Murders had climbed into the number one spot on HBO Max's daily chart, leaving Peacemaker staring at second place. It wasn't just any show doing the overtaking either—it was a four-part docuseries revisiting the infamous 1991 Austin, Texas killings of four people inside an ice cream shop. A horrific case, unresolved for decades, that still grips anyone who dares to revisit it.
The kicker? The Yogurt Shop Murders currently sits at a flawless 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Compare that to Peacemaker's still-impressive 96% and you understand the uphill fight. A buzzy superhero satire against the cultural juggernaut that is true crime—it's almost unfair.
Streaming trends tell their own story. True crime has become a machine: books, podcasts, Netflix binges, endless retellings of grisly cases. Most fade into the algorithm. But when one cuts through the noise, like this series clearly has, it's more than a numbers game—it's validation. For the creators behind The Yogurt Shop Murders, topping HBO Max, even briefly, proves there's still room in the overcrowded genre for sharp storytelling that respects the gravity of its subject.
Of course, Peacemaker fans shouldn't panic. The series isn't built to flame out after a week. With new episodes rolling, its absurd blend of satire, gore, and unexpected heart will likely reclaim the top spot. Meanwhile, The Yogurt Shop Murders is finite—just four episodes, no more content to extend its run. Chart dominance in streaming is a short-lived crown.
Still, there's a strange resonance here. A fictional hero obsessed with fighting for peace loses ground to a documentary about lives lost in a senseless act of violence. In one corner, a man in a chrome helmet spouting crude jokes. In the other, the echoes of real families still demanding justice. Viewers, it seems, still crave both.
Why Peacemaker Lost Its Top Spot
- True Crime's Magnetic Pull
The genre's grip on audiences shows no signs of weakening, and The Yogurt Shop Murders is proof of its continuing dominance. - Critical Perfection Matters
With a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, the docuseries achieved a cultural credibility edge that even Peacemaker couldn't match. - Finite vs. Ongoing Content
Peacemaker's weekly release gives it staying power, while the docuseries burns bright and fast before fading. - The Ironic Contrast
A superhero parody devoted to violent peace overtaken by a sobering reminder of real violence says more about our viewing habits than we'd like to admit.
Peacemaker season 2 will keep swinging, likely bouncing back into HBO Max's top slot soon enough. But for now, true crime holds the crown. The question is, does it say more about DC's durability—or our own fascination with the darkest corners of real life?
What about you—are you watching Peacemaker for the wild ride, or did The Yogurt Shop Murders pull you in first?
