Netflix Loses $630M Timothée Chalamet Hit to HBO Max After Just 1 Month

Streaming subscribers are used to movies cycling on and off platforms, but it's rare for a massive blockbuster to jump ship this quickly. Just as one of Timothee Chalamet's biggest box office hits was getting comfortable on Netflix, it's now departing the service and heading to its new home. After a surprisingly brief 30-day window, the $630 million fantasy fan-favorite is heading to its new home on HBO Max. This means if you want to catch the prequel story that's sure to provide "pure imagination," you'll have to pivot from one streaming service to another.

A 'World of Pure Imagination': Breaking Down the 'Wonka' Move

Wonka made waves at the box office, checking in as Chalamet's third-highest-grossing film. The prequel to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, featuring Chalamet as a young Willy Wonka, pulled in $634.6 million worldwide, behind only Dune: Part Two ($715.2 million) and Interstellar ($740.7 million).

Its pivot to HBO Max comes after a brief stint at Netflix, and it's the length of time it remained there that's a bit of a surprise, which Screen Geek detailed. Although movies change streaming platforms when licenses run out frequently, it highlights just how quickly the shift can happen. Fortunately, those looking to watch the highly rated Wonka can still do so, but will need an HBO Max subscription.

The 2023 hit film was so popular that a sequel to Wonka is in the works, with writer/director Paul King and Chalamet both expected to return. King previously dropped the news on Hey U Guys.

"We're very early—I mean we've got about half of a draft," King said of the Wonka sequel. "So, we've got a story that we like, and we know where we want to take him. I'll try to get some international travel in it. So maybe that's the only tease I'll give. But hopefully, I'll get some air miles off this one."

When Does Timothee Chalamet's 'Wonka' Leave Netflix for HBO Max?

The Netflix window for streaming Wonka officially closed on Sunday, Nov. 30, meaning anyone seeking out the film can now be prepared to find it on HBO Max. For those who have yet to see Wonka, there's a lengthy list of verified critics and fans who will strongly vouch for taking the time to see it this holiday season.

Chalamet's performance as a young Willy Wonka earned high marks, and the movie itself drew impressive ratings from critics and fans alike. Wonka earned "certified fresh" and "verified hot" labels on Rotten Tomatoes. The film touts a strong 82 percent score based on 333 critics' reviews, and a fan score that's even higher at 90 percent with over 5,000 verified fan ratings.

Wonka also earned a score of 66 from critics on Metacritic, with only three out of 64 reviews labeling the film "negative." Based on 399 fan ratings, it holds a score of 6.8 out of 10.

Wonka itself gives fans the story behind how Willy Wonka became the famous chocolate-maker, inventor and magician that so many viewers came to know and love in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

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