Netflix original movies: What their most-watched tells us to expect
As Netflix releases its data on how popular each of their shows is, we found out we can learn a thing or two from Netflix original movies.
Like direct-to-video releases in the 1980s and 90s, Netflix original movies seem to be ones that might not have fared well at the box office, and studios didn’t want to take the risk. Unlike direct-to-video flops, Netflix original movies are loaded with star power, big budgets, and hype.
Netflix star power
Like a movie theater release, Netflix original movies have star power. From Sandra Bullock to Adam Sandler, these films have stars that we expect would sell out movie theaters regularly. The top-viewed Netflix film, Extraction, stars Chris Hemsworth of Thor fame, which is part of the reason the film was Netflix’s most successful one.
Release dates can boost a Netflix original movie
Extraction came to Netflix on April 25. During that month, most people were in lockdown – ordered to stay home due to coronavirus. Movie theaters were closed due to COVID, so no one was going out to watch a movie. Seeing Chris Hemsworth on the small screen was a small consolation prize Netflix viewers were willing to take.
Netflix original docuseries like Tiger King garnered a bigger audience than they would have if the world wasn’t stuck in lockdown. Similarly, Netflix original movies that would have got a big skip like the badly-reviewed The Wrong Missy was widely viewed. Despite the bad ratings from critics, it got a ton of views due to coming out during COVID lockdown.
Budgets
The budgets for Netflix original movies are smaller than Hollywood films made for the silver screen. That gives Netflix a bigger profit margin if they have a hit on their hands. Also, audience expectations for Netflix original movies are lower, so the budget doesn’t have to be bloated.
Spenser Confidential was a surprise hit for Netflix. It had a low budget and was a simple Mark Walhberg film about a high-octane car chase. Think Fast & Furious series, but made for TV. Because it was viewed so much, the profit margin for the film was bigger than if it was released in movie theaters.
Concepts are easy to grasp
All of the Netflix original movies in the top-10 most-viewed list have easy concepts to understand that can be summarized in a sentence, including a rom-com, car heist, spy film, and post-apocalyptic sci-fi. That way, viewers don’t have to read about too much plot or watch it all the way through to understand.
Netflix’s algorithm considers a movie viewed when viewers watch at least 70% of it. The Netflix original movie on your screen needs to be engaging enough and easy enough to understand that viewers will watch it the whole way through.
More risks
At the same time, Netflix original movies can take more risks. Unlike Hollywood blockbusters, Netflix original movies have more wiggle room to experiment with. They can take an unknown short story like Bird Box and adapt it with less risk than a Hollywood film.
Netflix can also make a film that may not sell out a movie theater due to previous flops and turn it into a hit. After stinkers like Jack & Jill, audiences might not run to pay $10-$20 (not counting concessions) per person to see an Adam Sandler movie. However, they’ll risk watching it if it’s part of their subscription.
Thus, the Netflix original movie by Adam Sandler, Murder Mystery, became one of Sandler’s biggest movies without ever being in the theater.
Reviving old genres
In the same vein as taking more risks, Netflix original movies can also test to see if an old genre can be revived. Netflix tried its hand at reviving the teen movie genre with The Perfect Date. It ended up being one of its top-10 watched films.
Internet is the new word-of-mouth
The reason Netflix original movies like Bird Box can become huge overnight successes is because of the internet. Word spread about Bird Box specifically due to widespread memes about the film.
Also, like Netflix original movies & shows released in quarantine, it was released during Christmas break when more people would be home. More people would, consequently, be talking about it on social media.
