Sandra Bullock's Bird Box was announced as Netflix's highest grossing film after the online streaming company disclosed that more than 45 million viewers watched the film within a week of its release.
The film revolves around a mother (Sandra Bullock) and her two kids who embark on a journey down a river blindfolded. They do so to escape a dangerous entity that makes people kill themselves when they see it.
The movie, which has the characters in a blindfold for a major portion of it, has prompted many to take up the Bird Box challenge. This strange challenge involves people recording themselves doing any activity in blindfolds. These activities range from walking across a room to very dangerous and irresponsible tasks like driving, crossing a busy road or in some cases managing to walk your blindfolded toddler into a wall.
Lmaooo the baby!!!#birdboxmemes #BirdBox #birdboxmemes #BirdBoxChallenge pic.twitter.com/4dhhIi6Str
— Bird Box Memes (@birdboxmemes) December 27, 2018
The insane number of videos uploaded in a very short time period prompted Netflix to release a statement discouraging everyone from participating in it.
Can’t believe I have to say this, but: PLEASE DO NOT HURT YOURSELVES WITH THIS BIRD BOX CHALLENGE. We don’t know how this started, and we appreciate the love, but Boy and Girl have just one wish for 2019 and it is that you not end up in the hospital due to memes.
— Netflix US (@netflix) January 2, 2019
The point to note here is that Netflix did not tell its audience to stop participating in it but just asked them to 'not end up in the hospital due to memes'.
Many fans took up the challenge including basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal who had to maneuver the backstage during the talk show NBA on TNT.
"Don't take off your blindfold!" ?@SHAQ & Underdog attempt the #BirdBoxChallenge pic.twitter.com/IS4UEPeOPe
— Shaqtin' a Fool (@shaqtin) January 4, 2019
The hosts of Good Morning America also took part
#BirdBoxChallenge: @michaelstrahan attempts to put lipstick on @sarahaines with a blindfold on! #GMADay https://t.co/G4PdrKdY6w pic.twitter.com/h5HIWtJtXw
— Good Morning America (@GMA) January 2, 2019
The Bird Box challenge at work
Trying the #BirdBoxChallenge at work today pic.twitter.com/ie5XQeBaJq
— What Bread Said (@GoodbyeMcFly) December 29, 2018
The Dublin Fire Brigade
We train to work in zero visibility... leave it to the professionals. #Netflix is warning not try the #BirdBoxChallenge as people are getting injured. If our Paramedics come across an injury caused by the challenge we will help, but don't expect us to keep a straight face! pic.twitter.com/5uxzCB3yWD
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) January 3, 2019
Sometimes, even your pets need to know what to do if the world is ending
My boy, Toby is not gonna make it in the #BirdBox apocalypse. ??#BirdBoxChallenge pic.twitter.com/xzH2Ev3UMX
— ✭Irma? & Toby?✭ (@irmaezy) December 31, 2018
And here are some other videos
Inspired by #BirdBox #BirdBoxChallenge blind racing pic.twitter.com/GOD3Z2eMiD
— LastCrowned Mac (@A_Mack011) January 3, 2019
Me after watching #BirdBoxChallenge pic.twitter.com/IKJu4iOmtO
— Diana Montoni (@Drose1028) January 1, 2019
Only packing the essentials! #BirdBox #BirdBoxChallenge pic.twitter.com/tvdapr86MP
— keegan ??? (@Russell_KeeganC) December 31, 2018
Entering 2019 like: #BirdboxChallenge pic.twitter.com/3TAzm6wm1p
— anahi (@anahi_s23) January 1, 2019