Netflix’s Newest True Crime Documentary Tops Charts, Surpassing a Beloved Spider-Man Film
In a surprising turn on Netflix’s U.S. movie leaderboard, the streaming platform’s latest true crime release has outpaced one of its most critically acclaimed animated superhero films.
During the week of December 29, 2025, to January 4, 2026, Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story secured the number one position in Netflix’s Top 10 Movies in the United States. This achievement pushed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse—a film celebrated with a 97% Rotten Tomatoes rating—into second place, marking a notable shift in audience viewing habits as the year came to a close.
Premiered on December 30, 2025, Evil Influencer is directed by Kye Borgman and produced by Leslie Mattingly. The 1-hour and 40-minute documentary delves into the disturbing case of Utah therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, who was arrested alongside parenting YouTuber Ruby Franke on allegations of child abuse. Netflix categorizes the title under Documentary Films, Crime Movies, and True Crime Documentaries.
The film incorporates interviews, official police footage, and archival materials that trace the investigation. However, critical reception has been mixed. Common Sense Media noted that the police work featured in the documentary was “far more engaging” than the repetitive interviews with alleged victims. Culture Mix criticized the project as “lazily edited,” citing frequent reuse of footage and information that has appeared in other productions covering the Hildebrandt-Franke scandal.
Similarly, Decider questioned the documentary’s journalistic merit, calling it “flimsy” and unable to justify its existence as a meaningful investigative piece. Viewer feedback echoed these sentiments, with multiple audience members expressing disappointment over the lack of fresh insights. One review summed it up: “It just repeats what we already know. I was hoping for more depth, but that wasn’t the case.”
At present, Evil Influencer does not have an official Tomatometer score or audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The title has fewer than 50 user ratings, and only six professional reviews have been published.
Despite the criticisms, the documentary’s rapid climb to the top spot highlights Netflix’s ability to attract viewers through timely, high-profile subject matter. The surge in interest may also point to the enduring popularity of true crime content, which continues to dominate streaming charts, even when competing against established blockbuster titles.
With Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse now holding second place, the rankings serve as a reminder that audience preferences can shift quickly—particularly when a fresh, buzz-worthy release enters the mix. Whether Evil Influencer will maintain its lead or fade from the spotlight remains to be seen, but for now, it stands as Netflix’s most-watched movie in the U.S. heading into 2026.
