“El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” just broke to good TV ratings, according to Nielsen.
Over its first three days on Netflix, “El Camino” was watched by an average minute audience of 6.5 million, and reached nearly 8.2 million TV viewers. On the film’s first day of release (Oct. 11), “El Camino” had an average minute audience of 2.6 million.
About 36% of the film’s average minute audience over its first three days were younger adults in the ages 18-34 demographic, the largest share among the measured demos. The audience was heavily male, with almost 40% comprised of men 18-49.
“El Camino” was shrouded in mystery in the weeks and months leading up to its release, fueled by “Breaking Bad” creator Vince Gilligan and his desire for intense secrecy surrounding the film. Individuals with knowledge of the production told TheWrap that Gilligan, who is making his directorial debut with “El Camino,” and the film’s producers wanted the film under heavy lock and key, in order to protect any spoilers from getting out. Filming was done in total secrecy in New Mexico, under the fake title “Greenbriar.”
“El Camino” picks up right where “Breaking Bad” left off back in 2013. Walter White (Bryan Cranston) is dead and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) has finally escaped from captivity. With none of the Nazis left alive, Pinkman is on the run from both his past and the cops. New dangers emerge along the way in Vince Gilligan’s sequel movie, which in addition to its Netflix run also enjoyed a limited theatrical release this past weekend.
Click here to read TheWrap’s coverage of the film, including an interview with Paul.
The former AMC series also saw a huge lift on Netflix in the lead-up to “El Camino’s” release. During the week of the premiere (Oct. 7-13), the average minute audience for “Breaking Bad” episodes was 153,000, more than double what the show averaged over the prior three weeks (62,000).
Below is how “Breaking Bad” performed over each season of its AMC run. Reminder: Season 5 was split into two halves that aired a year apart.
Adults 18-49, Live + 3 Day Viewing
Season 1 (7 episodes): 788,000
Season 2 (13 episodes): 844,000
Season 3 (13 episodes): 1.126 million
Season 4 (13 episodes): 1.460 million
Season 5A (8 episodes): 2.514 million
Season 5B (8 episodes): 5.484 million
Total Viewers, Live + 3 Day Season 1: 1.372 million
Season 2: 1.529 million
Season 3: 1.919 million
Season 4: 2.490 million
Season 5A: 3.805 million
Season 5B: 8.313 million
'El Camino': All the 'Breaking Bad' Alums Who Show Up in Vince Gilligan's Follow-Up Movie (Photos)
We know Jesse Pinkman (along with a few of his junkie friends) is back in "El Camino," the follow-up film to "Breaking Bad" that debuted on Netflix Friday.
But if you're reading this, you know that many more "Breaking Bad" vets came back, including many that didn't make it out of the AMC series alive. Here is every "Breaking Bad" alum we could find that pops up in "El Camino" (listed by order of appearance).
Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul): OK, we'll start with the most obvious one. Only Bryan Cranston's Walter White had more screen time in "Breaking Bad" so the list wouldn't be complete without the drug-dealer-turned-emotional-punching-bag Pinkman.
Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks): The flashbacks start right away, as "El Camino" opens with a quiet scene of Pinkman and Ehrmantraut, who gives him the idea of heading up to Alaska to start fresh.
This appears to take place in the same area (or at least, it's meant to resemble the same place) where Ehrmantraut was killed by Walt in one of Cranston's most brutal acts of the series.
Badger (Matt Jones): Along with Skinny Pete, Badger was one of the few "Breaking Bad" alums Netflix promoted ahead of "El Camino's" release. Hey, Jesse had to find somewhere to go after he escaped Uncle Jack's compound.
Skinny Pete (Charles Baker): Honestly, it was just nice to see that some things, like Skinny Pete and Badger busting each other's chops over video games, haven't changed.
Old Joe (Larry Hankin): Still impressed with Jesse's great magnet plan, Old Joe initially helps Pinkman dispose of Todd's El Camino, before realizing it was low-jacked.
Todd Alquist (Jesse Plemons): Of all the alums, Plemons' quiet psychopathic Todd surprisingly gets the most screentime. He appears in numerous flashback sequences, which help shine some light on Jesse's time as a meth-cooking captive.
Adam and Mrs. Pinkman (Michael Bofshever & Tess Harper): Jesse's parents haven't been seen since Season 3 of "Breaking Bad," but appear first via a TV news broadcast and then again when Jesse calls to lure them out of their house.
Ed (Robert Forester): Everyone's favorite vacuum shop owner helps smuggle Jesse to Alaska, an offer Jesse should've taken up the first time.
Walter White (Bryan Cranston): There was no way they could do a "Breaking Bad" follow-up without Jesse's deceased partner returning in some way. This comes in a flashback that takes place in Season 2, a reminder that Jesse and Walt weren't always at odds with each other.
Jane Margolis (Krysten Ritter): "El Camino" ends the same way it begins: with a flashback. This one, with Jesse and Jane driving through the New Mexico desert, mirrors Jesse's ending in the film, as he drives off to his new life in Alaska.
"Man Mountain" (David Mattey): So this one is a pretty deep cut (and technically cheating since he shows up in “Better Call Saul” and not “Breaking Bad,” but it’s the same world). But “Man Mountain” (or “Clarence” as he’s called in “El Camino”) briefly tussled with Mike in the first season of “Better Call Saul.” He has a small scene in "El Camino" as the guy who drops off the girls for the Kandy Welding guys.
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Spoilers below, so tread lightly…
We know Jesse Pinkman (along with a few of his junkie friends) is back in "El Camino," the follow-up film to "Breaking Bad" that debuted on Netflix Friday.
But if you're reading this, you know that many more "Breaking Bad" vets came back, including many that didn't make it out of the AMC series alive. Here is every "Breaking Bad" alum we could find that pops up in "El Camino" (listed by order of appearance).
