J.Lo's Mother Dethrones Scorsese on Netflix—What Happened?

Jennifer Lopez's new action movie The Mother makes Netflix's all-time top 10 list and pushes out Martin Scorsese's Academy Award-nominated The Irishman. Lopez stars as the titular character, an unnamed assassin who reappears after years of living in seclusion to save the daughter she previously placed in foster care. After premiering in May, The Mother immediately proved popular, managing to score Netflix's biggest opening weekend for a movie in 2023 so far.

The Mother remains at the top of Netflix's weekly charts and has made the streaming service's all-time most popular English-language movies list with 229.3 million hours viewed in its first 28 days. By doing so, Lopez's action-thriller replaces Purple Hearts in the No. 8 slot and pushes Scorsese's The Irishman off the list entirely. Sandra Bullock's 2021 redemption drama The Unforgivable now sits at the bottom of the list at No. 10.

Why The Mother Has Been So Popular

Despite The Mother's mixed reception from critics, earning a 43% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has remained popular on Netflix, topping the streaming giant's weekly top 10 chart since its premiere. Although it may not win any major cinematic awards, The Mother's tried-and-true plot and taut action gives it a high level of accessibility. With Lopez as an instantly recognizable name headlining the movie, The Mother was seemingly assured of at least a decent streaming success before its release.

Related: The Mother Ending Explained: Why The Wolves Are So Significant?

Part of The Mother's success can be attributed to the skill of its director, Niki Caro. The New Zealand-born filmmaker made a name for herself with the Māori drama Whale Rider, earning an Academy Award nomination for then 13-year-old star Keisha Castle-Hughes. Caro continued her directorial career with strong films, including North Country, McFarland, USA, and The Zookeeper's Wife. Her penchant for strong female roles was evident in The Mother, as she helped Lopez deliver a riveting and challenging performance as a parent taking on waves of trained killers in order to save her daughter.

Due to The Mother's resounding success, Lopez and Netflix have considered turning the film into a franchise. Lopez previously discussed the possibility of a sequel centered on Zoe (Lucy Paez), who she dubbed "The Daughter." However, no official announcement has been made so far. Based on these numbers, though, The Mother could spawn Netflix's latest ongoing franchise.

Source: Netflix

Amal Clooney Wore Optical Illusion Jeans Cosigned by Jennifer Lopez—Fall-Ready Styles Start at $44

My list of must-try jean trends for 2026 is growing; it currently includes all the silhouettes one denim expert revealed to me as the must-watch of the year (save for baggy jeans, because I’ve been wearing those for years). That said, one style that didn’t land on said aforementioned list, but is clearly due for big, big things this year, is flare jeans. With a growing list of celebrity fans that includes Meghan Markle, Jennifer Lopez, Reese Witherspoon, Cindy Crawford, Kendrick Lamar (you know that moment), and, of course, Amal Clooney, there’s no denying the retro denim style that was popular in the early aughts is back—and bigger than ever.

The fact that Clooney wore flared jeans is noteworthy in and of itself. The human rights lawyer is known for her refined dressing approach, regularly opting for billowy trousers, trendy boho blouses, and comfy sweater dresses—all staples that read elegant and timeless. So, when I spotted her earlier this year in the laid-back blues while out to dinner with hubby George Clooney, I knew I had to write about it. Of course, the fact that she wore flare jeans, the style countless celebs have worn the last few weeks, is noteworthy, too, as it further cements the style’s ‘It’ status for 2026.