Netflix reveals viewing figures for The Irishman

Netflix’s acclaimed gangster epic The Irishman was watched by more than 26 million accounts in its first week, the streaming giant has said.

The expensively-assembled three-and-a-half hour crime drama is directed by Martin Scorsese and stars Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Al Pacino.

It tells the story of an ageing hitman as he looks back on his life and uses cutting edge de-ageing technology in scenes where the stars play their characters’ younger selves.

The Irishman was viewed by 26.4 million accounts around the world within seven days of release, according to Netflix.

The streaming service counts a view if at least 70% of a film is watched. It announced The Irishman’s figures on Twitter.

Netflix content chief Ted Sarandos expanded on the numbers during a conference in New York, saying he expects about 40 million account holders to watch the film during its first month of release.

The Irishman arrived on the platform on November 27 following a limited theatrical run.

Despite reservations over its lengthy run time, it has been well-received by critics.

On Monday it bagged five Golden Globe nominations, including for best drama film and best supporting actor nods for Pesci and Pacino.

De Niro, however, was a surprise omission from the leading actor category.

At the end of the third quarter in 2019, Netflix said it had 158.3 million subscribers around the world.