A Forgotten Javier Bardem Reptile Movie Is Topping The Charts At Netflix

The Javier Bardem movie Lyle, Lyle Crocodile is one of the best performers on Netflix this week.

By Lyndon Nicholas | Updated

javier bardem

There is always a factor of unpredictability when it comes to streaming numbers for streaming services like HBO, Hulu, and Netflix. Still, top-streamed television and film often come with heavy promotion, and anticipation, on or near their release date. That’s why it may come as a shock that according to a recent FlixPatrol report one of the top streaming performers for Monday, February 6th was the animated film Lyle, Lyle Crocodile featuring none other than actor Javier Bardem.

The 2022 children’s film held the number one spot in streaming on Netflix in the US for the majority of the day until eventually dropping to number two by the end of the day. Netflix released Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile on October 7th, 2022. It was directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon and based on the best-selling book series by Bernard Waber.

Upon its release, the film garnered some attention and commercial success. It grossed a worldwide total of $104.1 million on a $50 million production budget. It also accrued a decent critical reception with a 6.1/10 on IMDB and a 73% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film is led by Shawn Mendes as the titular Lyle, as well as Winslow Fegley, Javier Bardem, and Constance Wu. Bardem plays Hector P. Valenti, an eccentric entertainer who dreams of becoming a superstar. He is the former owner of Lyle, a crocodile who can’t speak but can sing.

After his family’s recent move to New York City, Josh Primm (Fegley) is struggling in his new school environment. When he discovers Lyle in the family’s attic, the two become unexpected friends. Primm, his family, and Lyle’s former owner Hector P. Valenti (Bardem) must avoid their conniving neighbor Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman), and keep Lyle out of harm’s way.

Fans of Javier Bardem may be part of the reason why this film has seen a resurgence. Bardem is known as a serious Hollywood actor, and for playing one of the most brutal characters in his role as the assassin Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men. Let’s be real: Javier Bardem singing showtunes is certain to garner attention, and when you add in an anthropomorphic CGI crocodile it sounds to many fans like a recipe for entertainment. 

Javier Bardem is a critically acclaimed Spanish actor who has been successful in both foreign and Blockbuster films.  He is known for roles in films such as 1992’s Jamón jamón, the Woody Allen-directed Vicky Cristina Barcelona, as the main antagonist in Sam Mendes’s James Bond spy film Skyfall, and most recently in the sci-fi adventure film Dune

Bardem received his most critical success for his role in the Coen Brothers’-directed neo-western No Country for Old Men based on Cormac McCarthy’s 2005 novel of the same name. Bardem received critical acclaim and the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the film.

Javier Bardem has been no stranger to CGI as of late, as the actor has upcoming roles in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Apple TV+’s animated musical fantasy film Spellbound, and Dune: Part II. Those interested in seeing Bardem in a more whimsical role should check out Lyle, Lyle Crocodile streaming now on Netflix.