Summary

• Knocked Up, directed by Judd Apatow and starring Seth Rogen, has found newfound success on Netflix, ranking in the top 10 most-watched movies for this past week.
• Critics praised the daringly raunchy yet smart and original comedy, leading to commercial success with a $220 million gross.
• In an era where R-rated comedies are less common, Knocked Up's resurgence on Netflix highlights its lasting appeal to audiences.

Judd Apatow's critically acclaimed comedy, Knocked Up, finds new success on Netflix 17 years after its release. Written, produced, and directed by Apatow, the 2007 romantic comedy follows the repercussions of a one-night stand between an irresponsible slacker and a rising media personality that results in an unplanned pregnancy. Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl star, alongside Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann as another couple. The Knocked Up cast includes other Apatow regulars such as Jason Segel, Jonah Hill, James Franco, and Steve Carell.

Now, 17 years after its release, Judd Apatow's critically acclaimed comedy has found new success on Netflix. For the week of April 15-21, Knocked Up was the eighth most-watched movie on Netflix in the United States, marking its first week in the Top 10. It placed behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which has been in the Top 10 for a whopping 21 straight weeks, and above M. Night Shyamalan's Glass, which has been there for three straight weeks.

What Happened To R-Rated Comedies Like Knocked Up?

R-Rated Comedies These Days Aren't Quite The Same

Both critically and commercially successful, Knocked Up is a quintessential R-rated comedy that was released at the height of the genre in 2007. Critics praised the film for its funny, heartfelt, and original perspective on the challenges of courtship and raising children. It was especially praised for being daringly raunchy, but also smart, brought to life by skilled performances and direction. The movie has an 89% score from the critics on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest for Apatow as a director.

Knocked Up was also a massive hit with audiences, grossing a whopping $220 million at the box office on its mid-sized $25 million budget. The movie also had a long eight-week run in the top ten at the box office, marking the longest consecutive streak among movies that opened between May and June 2007. Because of this success, Knocked Up was followed by a semi-sequel, known as This Is 40, that focused on Rudd and Mann's characters, Pete and Debbie, with Apatow returning as writer, director, and producer.

Apatow is also in development on a third film set 10 years later, titled This Is 50.

Though R-rated comedies had their heyday, they have fallen out of favor in recent years as studios prefer to produce movies that appeal to broader demographics and are less likely to take risks with risqué material. Knocked Up was even met with accusations of propagating sexist attitudes in 2007. While R-rated comedies are still being made, Jennifer Lawrence's No Hard Feelings, for instance, plays it surprisingly safe, and others like Bottoms made minimal impact at the box office. During a time when raunchy R-rated comedies are in short supply, it's no surprise that audiences are revisiting Knocked Up on Netflix.

Knocked Up is streaming on Netflix.

Source: Netflix