Pete Davidson’s The Home Climbs Starz Streaming Charts

Pete Davidson’s latest horror film, The Home, is enjoying an unexpected surge in popularity on streaming platforms, a dramatic turnaround from its lackluster performance in theaters just months ago. According to Flix Patrol and Filmogaz, as of January 27, 2026, The Home has climbed to the number two spot on Starz’s list of most-watched films in the United States, trailing only behind The Strangers: Chapter 2. This surprising rise comes after the film’s theatrical release in July 2025, where it grossed a mere $1.7 million and was largely dismissed by critics.

Directed by James DeMonaco, best known for creating The Purge franchise, The Home stars Davidson as Max, a graffiti artist who spent his childhood in foster care. The central premise is both gritty and intriguing: Max, facing a criminal charge, is offered a chance at redemption by taking a job as the superintendent at a local retirement home. The role quickly proves to be more than he bargained for, as he befriends the residents and begins to notice a string of unsettling events that suggest something sinister lurks beneath the home’s ordinary facade.

The supporting cast is a veritable who’s who of character actors, including John Glover, Bruce Altman, Ethan Phillips, Mary Beth Peil, Victor Williams, and Marilee Talkington. The film also features appearances by Adam Cantor, Mugga, Stuart Rudin, Michael Donaldson, Jessica Hecht, Nathalie Schmidt, Linder Sutton, and a young Max played by Jagger Nelson. The screenplay was co-written by DeMonaco and Adam Cantor, with Bill Block and Sebastien Lemercier producing.

Despite this impressive lineup, The Home initially struggled to find its audience. When it hit theaters in July 2025, it faced stiff competition from big-budget blockbusters, most notably The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The result? A disappointing $1.7 million at the box office, a figure that barely registered next to its high-profile rivals. Critical reception was equally dismal. As of late January 2026, the film holds a paltry 29% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 55 verified critical reviews. Audiences were a bit more forgiving, awarding it a 59% “Popcornmeter” score from over 250 user-submitted reviews.

So what explains the film’s sudden streaming success? The answer may lie in the unpredictable nature of audience engagement in the streaming era. According to Filmogaz, The Home’s current ranking on Starz puts it ahead of other popular titles like 1992 and The Long Walk, suggesting that viewers are discovering (or rediscovering) the film now that it’s more accessible. The movie’s runtime of 95 minutes and its blend of horror and dark comedy may also make it an appealing choice for a night in.

In the film, Davidson’s portrayal of Max—a young man seeking a second chance in a world that’s given him few breaks—brings a sense of vulnerability and dark humor that resonates with viewers. His journey from graffiti artist with a criminal past to caretaker in a mysterious retirement home is at the heart of the film’s narrative. As Max navigates the eerie corridors and befriends the quirky residents, he’s drawn deeper into a web of secrets that threaten to upend his newfound stability. It’s a setup ripe for suspense, and Davidson’s performance is one of the film’s few elements that critics and fans alike have praised.

The film’s director, James DeMonaco, is no stranger to genre-bending stories. Having co-written the screenplay with Adam Cantor, DeMonaco infuses The Home with the same tension and social commentary that made The Purge a household name. Yet, for all its ambition, the movie failed to connect with theatergoers last summer. Why the disconnect? Some point to the crowded release window, with The Home debuting alongside major studio tentpoles. Others cite the film’s uneven tone and reliance on horror tropes, which may have alienated critics and casual viewers alike.

But streaming has proven time and again that films can find new life outside the multiplex. As The Home continues to climb the Starz charts, it’s clear that word-of-mouth and the convenience of home viewing are giving it a second wind. The audience score, while not stellar, suggests that viewers are at least somewhat more receptive than the critics. With a 59% “Popcornmeter” rating from over 250 user reviews, the film has managed to carve out a niche among genre fans looking for something a little different.

Davidson, for his part, doesn’t appear to be slowing down. He’s already lined up two high-profile projects following The Home. The first is MGM’s How to Rob a Bank, directed by David Leitch and written by Mark Bianculli. This heist thriller features an ensemble cast including Nicholas Hoult, Zoë Kravitz, Anna Sawai, Rhenzy Feliz, John C. Reilly, and Christian Slater. The plot centers on a crew of bank robbers who document their crimes on social media, adding a modern twist to the classic caper formula.

Davidson is also set to star in Wizards!, a stoner comedy from director David Michôd. Based on a story by Michôd and Joel Edgerton, the film follows a pair of hapless beach-bar operators—played by Davidson and Franz Rogowski—who stumble upon a trove of stolen loot. The ensemble cast includes Naomi Scott, Sean Harris, Orlando Bloom, and Rahel Romahn, promising a mix of high jinks and high stakes as the characters navigate their newfound windfall.

Back on Starz, the success of The Home is a testament to the shifting landscape of film distribution and consumption. The gap between critical and audience reception, as evidenced by the Rotten Tomatoes scores, highlights the sometimes unpredictable nature of public taste. For Davidson, DeMonaco, and the rest of the cast, the film’s streaming resurgence offers a measure of vindication after a rocky start.

As viewers continue to discover The Home on their own terms, the film’s journey from theatrical flop to streaming favorite serves as a reminder that, in today’s entertainment world, second chances are always possible—and sometimes, the underdog gets the last laugh.