Part 6/9:
Examining broader streaming trends further emphasizes The Acolyte's failure. For the week of May 20th to May 26th, top streaming content like Bridgerton and The Good Doctor amassed hundreds of millions of minutes watched—700 million and more—distancing The Acolyte’s mere 210 million minutes. It ranks poorly even within the niche of original programming, securing a spot in the lower tiers, well behind major hits.
The series’ relatively low viewer engagement is especially notable considering Disney reportedly invested $200 million into its production—an astronomical sum for an eight-episode show. Under the weight of these numbers, critics argue that no amount of media spin can conceal its underperformance, which is being called one of the biggest flops in recent Star Wars history.