FRENCH HISTORY EPIC SCORES WITH GEN-Z—THANKS TO A YOUTUBER!
Pathé's 'De Gaulle' nearly tanked—until a viral boost from internet star Inoxtag turned it into a box-office powerhouse in France.
Talk about a comeback! Antonin Baudry's sweeping two-part historical drama "De Gaulle: Résistance" was looking like a tough sell when it first hit French theaters. But Pathé's ambitious epic about the making of a French legend just roared back to the top of the box office—and the secret weapon? A shout-out from YouTuber Inoxtag that got younger crowds buzzing.
According to Variety, the film's resurgence came thanks to strong word-of-mouth, a heat wave that sent moviegoers seeking cool, dark theaters, and that crucial viral push from the internet personality that attracted Gen-Z audiences who might've otherwise skipped a historical biopic. Sometimes all a period piece needs is the right influencer in its corner!
It's a feel-good reminder that even when a movie stumbles out of the gate, the right combination of buzz, timing, and a little help from the digital-native crowd can turn things around. De Gaulle may be a figure from the past, but this film just proved it's got serious staying power with audiences of all ages.
Sources · Variety