Adam McKay Reflects on 'Don’t Look Up' Success and Backlash

Adam McKay recently opened up about the overwhelming success of his satirical comedy Don’t Look Up, revealing that the film reached an estimated 400 million to 500 million viewers worldwide on Netflix, despite facing harsh criticism from critics and cultural figures. In an interview with NME, McKay shared how the movie, which took aim at climate change and societal inaction, connected deeply with audiences around the globe.

The film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence as astronomers warning humanity about an impending comet, became an international hit, topping the charts in 85 countries, including the U.S., Pakistan, Vietnam, and Uruguay. McKay was particularly struck by the movie's widespread popularity, calling it rare for a comedy to have such a broad, culturally diverse reach.

“It ended up being number one in something like 85 countries, as diverse as Pakistan, Vietnam, U.S. and Uruguay. That’s extremely rare for a comedy,” McKay said. “The estimates of how many people saw that movie… somewhere between 400 million and half a billion.”

Don’t Look Up was widely interpreted as a metaphor for climate change, a theme McKay, along with the star-studded cast, openly championed during its 2021 release. Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, the film earned a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars and became Netflix’s second most-watched original film, with over 171 million views.

McKay noted that the film resonated with viewers who felt “gaslit” by their leaders and the media, echoing a universal sense of frustration with the modern world. "It was funny when I realized that was the common connection point, I was like, of course!" he explained. "It’s happening everywhere now with this global neo-liberal economy that we’re all living in. It’s such a cancer and everyone is feeling it."

While Don’t Look Up may have earned a passionate following, McKay also found himself at the center of backlash for defending the film and calling out critics on social media. When some viewers took issue with his message, accusing him of suggesting they didn’t care about climate change because they didn’t like the movie, McKay clarified his stance.

He told IndieWire, “Someone jumped on and said, ‘Oh, you’re saying if we don’t like the movie we don’t care about the climate,’ which is utterly ridiculous. No human being would ever say that. It’s right out of the movie!”

In the end, McKay emphasized the importance of debate and passionate criticism, even when opinions clash. Despite the controversies, the film's massive viewership and timely themes ensure that Don’t Look Up will remain a cultural touchstone for years to come.