February 2023 saw the film Cheburashka surge to the top of Runet’s most downloaded titles from pirated sources, according to a study cited by The Movie Distributor Bulletin. The report draws on data collected by Group-IB, illustrating a clear pattern in the Russian-speaking online video ecosystem where piracy remains a significant force in shaping audience choices.
Trailing Cheburashka in second place was Scammers, produced by A24 for Apple TV Plus. This title joined a short list of high-demand releases that month, highlighting how streaming platforms compete with unauthorized viewers who seek quick access to new films without formal access. In third place, the thriller Crash, starring Gerard Butler, opened in theaters on January 26 and reported box office momentum of more than 160 million rubles within Russia alone, a testament to the film’s broad appeal across markets in the region.
The top tier list for February also included Babylon, a drama with strong critical and audience reception; Naughty 2, a comedy heavy on humor and misadventure; Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, a blockbuster with wide international interest; the horror titles Mzgan and Kit; the tension-filled Menu; and the romantic comedy To You or Me. This mix reflects how various genres attract pirate viewing as audiences seek convenient, early access to new releases or prefer the value offered by pirated copies.
An unusual development noted in the data was the absence of Avatar 2: The Way of Water from the February ranking, even though James Cameron’s film had dominated cinemas earlier. Analysts from the Film Distributor’s Bulletin observed that the absence likely reflects a saturation effect: many potential watchers who wanted the Avatar experience had already viewed it, reducing the pool of new pirate downloads for that title while keeping demand high for newer releases. This illustrates how blockbuster films can influence piracy trends in complex, time-sensitive ways across platforms and regions.
It is also worth noting that Cheburashka gained recognition in other arenas, with coverage of its standing in the Silver Archer awards indicating broader cultural impact beyond online piracy statistics. This cross-channel attention demonstrates how a single title can shape conversations around accessibility, entertainment value, and local industry responses in the Russian-speaking market.