Heart of the Beast Tops iTunes After Theatrical Run
The Brad Pitt survival thriller became the top domestic movie on iTunes after its premium video-on-demand release.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Film — General
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Heart of the Beast, a survival thriller starring Brad Pitt and directed by David Ayer, became available on PVOD on November 13, 2026, and rose to the number-one movie domestically on iTunes, according to FlixPatrol. The film was removed from more than 2,000 theaters while still playing in roughly 1,100 locations.
Why it matters
The film's 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is consistent with the pattern that higher-rated movies tend to perform better on digital and streaming platforms. The move to home rental and purchase gives viewers who missed the theatrical run a new way to see it.
The film grossed nearly $190 million worldwide on a reported $82 million budget, and it premiered in more than 3,400 theaters before being cut back to about 1,100 locations. Whether it will reach $200 million remains to be seen as theater removals continue.
The players
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt is an Academy Award-winning actor and producer who stars in Heart of the Beast and previously appeared in F1, which grossed $630 million worldwide.
David Ayer
David Ayer is a filmmaker known for directing action and crime films, including Heart of the Beast.
The details
Heart of the Beast was made available to rent and purchase at home on PVOD and quickly overtook Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Verity, and Resident Evil on iTunes. The release followed its removal from more than 2,000 theaters, and further removals are expected in the coming week.
Timeline
Fall 2026: Heart of the Beast released in theaters as a sleeper hit.
November 13, 2026: Film became available on PVOD and topped iTunes.
This coming week: More theater removals are expected.
Later this month: The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth opens a two-week IMAX run.
December 2026: The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth releases on Netflix.
Industry Dynamics
Heart of the Beast's 95% audience score sits alongside Brad Pitt's recent F1 (97%), The Beekeeper (92%), and A Working Man (87%), a run of well-received titles. Its strong digital performance after a theatrical run that was cut back to about 1,100 locations reflects how audience approval increasingly shapes home-viewing demand.
Viewers who missed Heart of the Beast in theaters can now rent or buy it on PVOD and iTunes at home. With the film being removed from hundreds more theaters this coming week, home viewing is becoming the main way to see it.
The takeaway
Strong audience reviews can keep a film in demand after it leaves theaters, so a title's digital life may matter as much as its opening weekend. Viewers looking to catch up can check PVOD and iTunes listings for current availability.
What happens next
The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth opens a two-week IMAX run later this month before its Netflix release in December 2026.
Further reading
For more on how films perform after leaving theaters, see our Film — General coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Collider.
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