The most pirated movies of 2022, from 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' to 'The Batman'
Piracy was a hot-button issue for movies that were released simultaneously to theaters and streaming services in 2021.
Theater execs complained that the strategy made piracy easier and ate into a movie's box office.
In 2022, the major Hollywood studios have largely moved away from the strategy, and are reaping the box-office rewards.
But movies are still swiftly pirated once they become available online, which in many cases is faster than it was before the pandemic, as theatrical windows have been shortened.
Insider turned to the piracy-tracking website Torrent Freak for the top movies that have been pirated each week of the year so far (the dates reflect piracy over the previous seven days).
"The Matrix Resurrections" — January 3
Was it online at the time? Streaming on HBO Max (also in theaters)
US theatrical release date: December 22, 2021
US opening weekend box office: $10.7 million
Total US box office: $37.7 million
Total global box office: $156 million
"Ghostbusters: Afterlife" — January 10
Was it online at the time? Available for digital rental January 4
US theatrical release date: November 19, 2021
US opening weekend box office: $44 million
Total US box office: $129 million
Total global box office: $197 million
"Eternals" — January 17 and January 24
Was it online at the time? Streaming on Disney+ January 12
US theatrical release date: November 5, 2021
US opening weekend box office: $71.3 million
Total US box office: $164.9 million
Total global box office: $402 million
"The 355" — January 31
Was it online at the time? No, in theaters
US theatrical release date: January 7, 2022
US opening weekend box office: $4.6 million
Total US box office: $14 million
Total global box office: $27.7 million
"House of Gucci" — February 7
Was it online at the time? Available for digital rental February 1
US theatrical release date: November 24, 2021
US opening weekend box office: $14.4 million
Total US box office: $53.8 million
Total global box office: $154.8 million
"The King's Man" — February 14 and February 28
Was it online at the time? Available on Hulu and for digital rental February 18
US theatrical release date: December 22, 2021
US opening weekend box office: $5.9 million
Total US box office: $37 million
Total global box office: $125.9 million
"Scream" — February 21
Was it online at the time? No, in theaters (available for digital rental March and to stream on Paramount+ March 8)
US theatrical release date: January 14, 2022
US opening weekend box office: $30 million
Total US box office: $81.6 million
Total global box office: $140 million
"Blacklight" — March 7
Was it online at the time? Available for digital rental March 3
US theatrical release date: February 11, 2022
US opening weekend box office: $3.5 million
Total US box office: $9.6 million
Total global box office: $15 million
"Spider-Man: No Way Home" — March 14, March 21, March 28, April 11
Was it online at the time? Available for digital rental March 15
US theatrical release date: December 17, 2021
US opening weekend box office: $260 million
Total US box office: $804 million
Total global box office: $1.89 billion
"Moonfall" — April 4
Was it online at the time? Available for digital rental April 1
US theatrical release date: February 4, 2022
US opening weekend box office: $9.9 million
Total US box office: $19 million
Total global box office: $44.3 million
"The Batman" — April 18 and April 25
Was it online at the time? Streaming on HBO Max April 18
US theatrical release date: March 4, 2021
US opening weekend box office: $134 million
Total US box office: $369.2 million
Total global box office: $768.4 million
"Uncharted" — May 2
Was it online at the time? Available for digital rental April 26
US theatrical release date: February 18, 2022
US opening weekend box office: $44 million
Total US box office: $147.3 million
Total global box office: $395.9 million
"Sonic the Hedgehog 2" — May 9
Was it online at the time? No, in theaters (coming to Paramount+ May 24)
US theatrical release date: April 8, 2022
US opening weekend box office: $72.1 million
Total US box office: $176.4 million
Total global box office: $355.9 million
"The Northman" — May 16
Was it online at the time? Available for digital rental May 13
US theatrical release date: April 22, 2022
US opening weekend box office: $12.3 million
Total US box office: $31.6 million
Total global box office: $58.8 million
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