The Defining Saga of the 21st Century Instantly Becomes a Streaming Hit After Moving Streaming Homes

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The movies remain incredibly popular with viewers worldwide, almost twenty years after they first came out, and are now performing very well on their new streaming platform.

The popular vampire romance movies began streaming on January 1, 2026, and quickly became a hit. As of January 3rd, three of the five films were in the top ten most-watched movies in the United States: the original Twilight (at number 2), New Moon (at number 6), and Eclipse (at number 8). By January 4th, Twilight had moved up to number 5, and Eclipse remained in the top ten at number 9.

As a huge cinema fan, I remember when The Twilight Saga first hit screens in 2008. It’s based on Stephenie Meyer’s books and stars Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan, a regular girl who falls for the enigmatic Edward Cullen, played by Robert Pattinson – who happens to be a vampire! The first movie really dives into their unusual romance – and all the trouble that comes with it, as Edward and his family try to keep Bella safe from a dangerous group of vampires who want to harm her.

When Twilight came out, critics weren’t very impressed, and reviews were mixed. The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of just 48%, with critics noting it didn’t translate well from the book to the screen. However, audiences generally liked it, giving it a 72% rating based on over 250,000 votes.

The popularity of Twilight was also evident in its box office results. The first movie earned over $400 million globally and launched a highly successful film series that covered the entire book saga.

The later movies in the series received mixed reviews from critics. New Moon was approved by only 28% of critics, though audiences gave it a 61% rating. Eclipse fared slightly better with critics at 46%, and also received a 60% audience approval score. Despite the critical reception, the films were hugely successful at the box office, with New Moon earning over $700 million and Eclipse bringing in over $698 million.

The final chapters of the Twilight saga were the most popular at the box office. Breaking Dawn – Part 1 earned over $712 million, and Part 2 brought in more than $829 million. The entire film series has generated substantial revenue. More recently, Lionsgate has been exploring ways to expand the Twilight universe, and in 2023 announced a television series based on the books.

The Twilight Saga Catapulted Kristen Stewart & Robert Pattinson to Stardom

Okay, so the Twilight movies? Critics were definitely divided, let’s be real. But you can’t deny they launched Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson into the stratosphere. Those roles turned them both into huge international stars, and they’ve really built amazing careers since then. Kristen, for example, has taken on some incredible roles like playing Princess Diana in Spencer, and it’s been awesome to watch her evolve as an actress.

Robert Pattinson has consistently demonstrated his acting talent through diverse roles, including appearances in films like Tenet, Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron, and The Batman. He’s set to appear as Antinous in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey, and will also have a role in Dune: Part Three, details of which haven’t been revealed yet.

The Twilight Saga is now streaming on HBO Max.

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2026-01-04 18:09