Since the passing of Pope Francis earlier this week, there’s been a noticeable surge in viewership for Conclave, a recent film by Ed Berger that explores the process of selecting a pope. But it’s not just Conclave that’s benefitting from this newfound attention—Netflix’s The Two Popes, which originally debuted in December 2019, has also seen a significant rise in popularity. The film, now featured in daily top 10 lists in over two dozen countries, has captivated audiences worldwide following the Pope’s death on April 21st, at the age of 88.
The movie, which was not a major hit upon its initial release, has suddenly found itself featured prominently on Netflix’s main carousel for many users, according to anecdotal reports. This visibility coincides with a wave of public interest tied to the recent event, though it remains unclear whether Netflix is actively promoting the title or simply riding an organic wave of traffic. Historically, Netflix’s recommendation algorithm thrives on real-time user behavior—searches, clicks, and views can propel a title up the ranks, potentially amplified by strategic placement in curated lists or the platform’s daily and weekly Top 10s.
When the movie first debuted, Netflix operated under its now-defunct “2-minute viewership” metric, sharing data only for its biggest hits. No such data was released for this title, suggesting it flew under the radar. More recent insights from Netflix’s 2023-2024 Engagement Reports reveal it garnered 10.8 million viewing hours, equivalent to roughly 5.2 million views. For context, other 2019 releases like The Irishman amassed 28.7 million views, Marriage Story secured 7.2 million, and Dolemite Is My Name notched 3.6 million. In Netflix’s most recent report (July-December 2024), the movie ranked a modest 2,154th among all films, underscoring its sleeper status before this week’s surge.
Industry observers note that Netflix’s algorithm likely balances organic demand with calculated boosts to capitalize on cultural moments. “When a news event drives searches for a specific topic, the algorithm naturally elevates related content,” said a streaming analyst. “But Netflix’s data team could also tweak recommendations to ensure a title like this gets maximum exposure.” Without internal data, the precise mechanics remain speculative.
Viewers will get a clearer picture of the movie’s performance when Netflix releases its Engagement Report for the first half of 2025, expected alongside Q2 earnings in July. For now, the title’s revival highlights the power of global events to breathe new life into Netflix’s vast catalog, whether by algorithmic design or the sheer force of public interest.
Starring Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce, and directed by Fernando Meirelles, The Two Popes delves into the inner workings of the Catholic Church, focusing on two powerful figures who present their visions for the future of the Church. The movie, which was nominated for three Oscars, had a modest impact on Netflix’s viewership when it first released. However, in the wake of Pope Francis’ passing, it’s now become a must-watch, particularly in Latin America, where the Pope was born.
Curiously, The Two Popes is produced by Rideback, the production company led by Dan Lin, who became head of Netflix’s film division in 2024. This connection may provide an interesting glimpse into the evolving direction of Netflix’s content.
The film’s recent rise in popularity is clear from its appearance in daily top 10 carousels across multiple countries, with the majority of its newfound viewership coming from Spanish-speaking nations in Latin America. This is not surprising, given Pope Francis’ deep connection to the region.
