Bill Burr’s Directorial Debut, Old Dads, Claims the #1 Spot on Netflix!!

Bill Burr’s directorial debut, Old Dads, shines as the number-one hit on Netflix despite getting abysmal reviews from critics. 

Before his directorial debut, Bill had been a successful actor, appearing in multifaceted roles in shows like The Mandalorian, Breaking Bad, and The King of Staten Island. 

Old Dads is a semi-autobiographical dramedy that he wrote along with Ben Tishler. Bill Burr also stars in the film along with Bokeem Woodbine and Bobby Cannavale.

After its October 20 release, it didn’t take much time for the film to become a number-one hit on Netflix. Old Dads clawed its way into the Global Top 10 as Netflix’s most-watched film in the October 16-22 window. 

In just a few days, the film has racked up 23.1 million watch hours and 13.3 million views! Now, that’s a bombastic debut!

The initial reviews of Old Dads were terrible, to say the least. Deadline’s Tom McCarthy described Burr’s directorial debut as a ‘boorish and obnoxiously vulgar comedy.’

The dismal reviews resulted in a measly 23% score on Rotten Tomatoes. 

However, a miracle struck just when it seemed all was over for Bill Burr. The film skyrocketed in viewership the moment it hit Netflix, and the trend continues till now. 

The overwhelming response has resulted in an audience score of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes for Old Dads.

One of the biggest reasons for the sudden change in tide is the re-emergence of R-rated comedy. After being out of favor for years, vulgar comedy is returning with hits like No Hard Feelings and Old Dads. 

In the film, Burr plays a rude and foul-mouthed father who struggles to adapt to the changing world. This is an everyday occurrence for most households and has resulted in fans developing a personal connection with the film. 

Finally, Burr has done his all to connect with the audience. This includes four stand-up specials and an animated sitcom, FIs for Family, which have helped push the film’s numbers immensely. 

About Old Dads

Old Dads is a 2023 American comedy film directed by Bill Burr in his directorial debut, who produced and co-wrote with Ben Tishler. It stars Bill Burr, Bobby Cannavale and Bokeem Woodbine.

After selling their business, three men find themselves out of step with the modern world.

The film was released by Netflix on October 20, 2023.