Robert De Niro’s recent gangster movie, The Alto Knights, initially flopped at the box office but has now become a major streaming success on HBO Max. Released with a budget of around $50 million, the film earned only $9.6 million theatrically, making it a significant disappointment.
The Alto Knights stars De Niro as Vito Genovese, depicting his rivalry with fellow crime boss Frank Costello for control of 1950s New York City. Despite its poor theatrical performance, the film has unexpectedly surged to the top of HBO Max’s viewing charts, currently ranked as the platform’s most-watched movie and second most-watched overall piece of content, behind only the series And Just Like That….
This resurgence highlights the shifting dynamics in Hollywood, where streaming platforms offer films a second chance at success beyond traditional box office performance. It suggests that profitability and audience engagement are no longer strictly tied to theatrical earnings, as streaming continues to redefine how movies reach audiences.