Netflix has its throne back—and it's Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan leading the charge. After briefly losing momentum to the animated juggernaut KPop Demon Hunters, Chris Columbus' The Thursday Murder Club has reclaimed the global number-one spot on Netflix, proving that old-school charm still has teeth in the algorithm age.
Based on Richard Osman's bestselling 2020 novel, the murder mystery opened on the streamer August 28, 2025, to largely positive reviews and instant worldwide traction. At 118 minutes, it's a breezy, deliberately cozy watch: a retirement community comedy-drama where four septuagenarians tackle their first “live” case after dabbling in cold ones. Columbus, best known for Harry Potter and Mrs. Doubtfire, directs with an eye for levity more than grit. The result? A glossy puzzle box that critics are calling charming, if slight. Rotten Tomatoes has it pegged at 76%, the consensus labeling it as “cozy as an undemanding beach read.”
Brosnan and Mirren: Still a Force, Still a Pair
If you're sensing déjà vu, that's because Mirren and Brosnan already headlined together in Paramount+'s MobLand not long ago—playing a scheming husband-and-wife duo opposite Tom Hardy. That series, produced by Guy Ritchie, became a surprise hit in 2024, dethroning Yellowstone on the platform and holding audience attention long after its finale. With Season 2 officially announced, the chemistry between the two veterans isn't slowing down. Now Netflix is banking on that same magnetism to lure viewers who prefer their crime with less grit and more wit.
Where America Differs
Globally, The Thursday Murder Club reigns supreme. But domestically? U.S. viewers are currently glued to something far darker: Unknown Number: The High School Catfish. According to FlixPatrol, the true-crime doc sits atop Netflix's American charts, chronicling the haunting story of teens terrorized by a stalker later revealed to be someone far too close for comfort. It's a stark tonal contrast to Columbus' film—and proof that streaming habits shift wildly depending on geography.
Critical Warmth, Franchise Potential
Collider's Maggie Lovitt compared the film's spirit to Only Murders in the Building and Book Club, even suggesting Netflix should “go ahead and greenlight the next four novels to be adapted as quickly as possible.” Osman has already delivered three sequels, with a fourth novel expected this year, meaning Columbus and Netflix have a ready-made franchise roadmap if the first outing continues to trend.
Murder Mysteries Aren't Done Yet
It's worth noting that The Thursday Murder Club isn't just another algorithmic content drop—it lands in a moment where audiences are clearly hungry for whodunits. Rian Johnson's Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery hits theaters in December 2025 after its rapturous TIFF premiere, ensuring the genre remains in high circulation. For now, though, Brosnan, Mirren, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie are holding court in Netflix's top spot, a reminder that sometimes experience—and a little playful banter—still beats youth and spectacle.
5 Things to Remember About The Thursday Murder Club's Streaming Victory
- Global vs. U.S. Split
Worldwide, the film is Netflix's #1 movie, but in America, a grim true-crime doc leads instead. - Release and Reception
Dropped on August 28, 2025, and holds a 76% Rotten Tomatoes score—critics call it light but charming. - Mirren & Brosnan Factor
Their MobLand reunion is central to its appeal, proving their screen chemistry still sells. - Franchise Future
With Osman's sequels already in print, Netflix has the material for an extended run. - Murder Mystery Boom
Arrives just months before Rian Johnson's Wake Up Dead Man—suggesting the genre's staying power.
What do you think—does The Thursday Murder Club earn its streaming crown, or is the catfishing doc a more compelling watch?
