This is the era of Jenna Ortega: Who would have thought that the box office flop of the year is now sitting at the top of HBO Max?

Despite its poor performance in theaters, “Death of a Unicorn” — the A24 horror comedy starring Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd — is experiencing an unexpected resurrection. The film, which was largely written off as a critical and commercial misfire after its spring release, has now found new life on HBO Max, where it continues to dominate the platform’s streaming charts.

As of this week, “Death of a Unicorn” has maintained a solid spot in HBO Max’s “Top 10 Movies Today” for over two weeks, currently sitting at number three, right behind other genre hits like Final Destination: Bloodlines and Alien Covenant. While many titles come and go in the fast-moving world of digital streaming, this quirky, blood-soaked satire has managed to endure, captivating viewers who may have missed it in theaters — or deliberately passed on it.

So, what is driving this unexpected surge in popularity? And how does it speak to the ever-growing star power of Jenna Ortega, one of Hollywood’s most talked-about young actors?

A Wild Premise Anchored by an A-List Cast

“Death of a Unicorn” debuted in theaters on March 28, 2025, following a buzzy premiere at South by Southwest (SXSW). The plot is as bizarre as the title suggests: a father (Paul Rudd) and his teenage daughter (Jenna Ortega) accidentally hit and kill a magical unicorn on their way to a secluded weekend retreat. But this isn’t just any mythical creature — the unicorn possesses miraculous healing powers, and when Rudd’s billionaire boss (Richard E. Grant) catches wind of it, chaos ensues as he attempts to exploit the unicorn’s body for personal gain.

The film is equal parts fantasy, satire, and gory horror, with supporting performances from Will Poulter and Téa Leoni. Marketed as a dark comedy with sharp social commentary, it was positioned as yet another clever, genre-defying entry in the A24 canon.

But while audiences were intrigued by the premise, the film failed to deliver the kind of box office numbers typically associated with the studio’s biggest hits like Hereditary or Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Why “Death of a Unicorn” Flopped in Theaters

Despite its strong festival premiere and buzzworthy cast, “Death of a Unicorn” underperformed massively at the box office. The film had a production budget of $15 million but only managed to earn $5 million during its opening weekend. Its final worldwide gross was $16.4 million, barely covering its production costs and falling short of expectations for a film backed by a studio with a reputation for sleeper hits.

Critically, the response was decidedly mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 53% score on the Tomatometer, with several high-profile reviewers calling out the film’s lackluster satire, messy execution, and unfocused narrative.

Film critic John Nugent of Empire Magazine wrote, “This is sadly unsuccessful as both an eat-the-rich satire and a schlocky B-movie.” Similarly, Robert W. Butler from Butler’s Cinema Scene noted, “Not even an A-list cast can do much with ‘Death of a Unicorn,’ a hodgepodge of myth, father-daughter bonding, greedy rich folk and a big dose of gut-splattering violence.”

While such reviews likely discouraged some theatergoers, audiences who did take the plunge saw something different.

A Streaming Rebound Fueled by Cult Appeal

In a twist that’s become increasingly common in the digital age, “Death of a Unicorn” is now enjoying a second life on streaming — and possibly becoming a cult hit in the process.

On HBO Max, the film has maintained a steady place in the top 10 most-watched films for two weeks, outlasting newer, more critically acclaimed releases. This kind of endurance signals more than curiosity — it suggests strong word-of-mouth appeal, and perhaps a disconnect between critic and viewer expectations.

Interestingly, while critics were divided, audience scores tell a different story. The film holds a 77% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter, indicating that viewers are embracing the chaos and absurdity that critics panned.

The streaming version has also benefited from repeat viewing, online discussion, and fan-driven social media content, particularly around Jenna Ortega’s performance. Viewers have described the movie as a “rollercoaster of bloody chaos” and praised its originality — even if the script felt uneven.

Jenna Ortega’s Magnetic Screen Presence

Much of the film’s staying power can be attributed to Jenna Ortega, whose meteoric rise in Hollywood shows no signs of slowing down. Known for her breakout performance in Netflix’s “Wednesday”, Ortega has become a symbol of Gen Z cinema — dark, ironic, fiercely intelligent, and unapologetically herself.

In “Death of a Unicorn,” Ortega brings emotional grounding to a film that often teeters on the edge of absurdity. Her chemistry with Paul Rudd adds depth to what could have been a purely gimmicky concept. As the daughter caught between grief, morality, and the grotesque fallout of capitalist greed, Ortega navigates the role with a complexity that elevates the film beyond its flaws.

For many fans, her performance is reason enough to watch — or rewatch — the film. And in the ever-competitive landscape of streaming content, star power can be just as valuable as critical acclaim.

Streaming vs. Box Office: A24’s Changing Playbook?

The success of “Death of a Unicorn” on HBO Max may also raise questions about how studios like A24 measure success in today’s media ecosystem. With traditional box office results no longer the sole indicator of a film’s impact, digital platforms are increasingly important in determining a movie’s cultural relevance.

In the case of “Death of a Unicorn,” its value as a streaming title may ultimately outweigh its theatrical failure. If it continues to perform well on HBO Max, the film could even pave the way for similar mid-budget genre films to bypass box office expectations altogether — especially when they feature stars like Ortega and Rudd, who command major attention online.

Conclusion: A Flop Turned Favorite

“Death of a Unicorn” may have stumbled out of the gate, but it’s now proving that a box office bomb can still become a fan favorite in the age of streaming. Powered by Jenna Ortega’s ever-growing popularity, a strange-but-memorable premise, and its weirdly perfect timing on HBO Max, the film has carved out a surprising second act.

While critics remain split and the film’s theatrical numbers remain disappointing, its current popularity suggests that audiences are more willing than ever to embrace the offbeat and unconventional — as long as it’s just entertaining enough to keep them watching.

And for Jenna Ortega, it’s yet another reminder that whether it’s Wednesday Addams, a scream queen, or the daughter of a unicorn-slaying dad, she can carry a film — even when it stumbles.