Scarlett Johansson's 'Lucy' Surges on Streaming

Scarlett Johansson might be gearing up for her big moment behind the camera, but one of her earlier sci-fi hits is having a surprise second wind. 

Lucy – that wild, mind-bending thrill ride directed by The Fifth Element director Luc Besson – is back in the spotlight, and fans can’t seem to get enough.

Originally released in 2014, Lucy follows Johansson as an ordinary woman who suddenly unlocks extraordinary psychokinetic powers after being exposed to a mysterious synthetic drug. 

The film, packed with action, slick visual effects, and Besson’s signature style, turned out to be a massive box office smash, pulling in an eye-popping $457 million worldwide on a modest $40 million budget. Not bad for a sci-fi flick that had critics scratching their heads over its brain-capacity plot twists.

Lucy, Starring Scarlett Johansson, Climbs Streaming Charts

Now, more than a decade later, the Lucy movie is back on people’s watchlists. According to Netflix’s latest numbers, Lucy has climbed its way back onto the U.S. Top 10 list, landing in a solid fourth place. 

Globally, it even cracked the ninth spot, clocking 2.6 million views and 3.8 million hours watched in just one week. Not too shabby for a film that first hit theaters 11 years ago!

Part of the magic behind the film’s lasting appeal, aside from Scarlett Johansson’s captivating performance, is Luc Besson’s knack for blending high-concept sci-fi with stylish visuals. If the name rings a bell, it’s because he’s the same filmmaker who gave us The Fifth Element – another cult classic that still holds a special place in the hearts of sci-fi fans all over the world.

Scarlett Johansson’s Next Act: Eleanor the Great

Of course, while audiences continue to stream Lucy in droves, Scarlett Johansson is busy flipping the script – literally. 

She’s about to make her feature-length directorial debut with Eleanor the Great, a heartwarming drama that’s already generating plenty of buzz. The film stars legendary June Squibb as Eleanor, a 90-year-old woman who sets out to rebuild her life in New York City after the loss of her lifelong best friend. Along the way, she forges an unlikely friendship with a much younger college student, promising a sweet mix of humor and heartfelt moments.

The cast lineup for Eleanor the Great is pretty impressive, too, with Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jessica Hecht, Erin Kellyman, and Will Price joining Squibb. The film is set to premiere at Cannes next month, and it marks a major milestone for Johansson as she confidently steps into the director’s chair.

A Streaming Hit and a New Chapter

While Lucy continues to flex its streaming muscles and find new audiences, fans of Scarlett Johansson have something fresh to look forward to. Whether it’s mind-expanding sci-fi or a deeply human story about starting over, one thing’s for sure – Johansson is keeping her creative streak alive and well.