Image via Netflix
If you’ve ever booked a holiday to Paris after seeing too much Emily in ParisDust blows up due to Kate Bush’s old track stranger thingsOr you’ve decided you want to learn Korean just to watch without subtitles, then you’ve become part of what the streamer officially calls “The Netflix Effect.”
Just 10 years ago, it grew from 60 countries to over 190 countries in a single day. To celebrate a decade of truly global streaming, Netflix recently released a huge, 112 page report (And a new stylish website) detailing its economic, cultural and social impact around the world Headlined by a blog post written by Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix.
As you’d expect from the world’s largest streaming service, the numbers are absolutely staggering. Here are some of the biggest and most interesting statistics released by Netflix for The Netflix Effect.
Economic impact and big data
Netflix isn’t just making TV; At this point it is practically its own global economy. The report highlights how much streamers have invested in the entertainment industry over the past ten years:
- $135+ billion: How much Netflix has invested in movies and series (both original and licensed) over the past decade.
- $325+ billion: The gross value added by Netflix to the global economy over the last ten years.
- 425,000+ Jobs: The number of direct jobs created on Netflix productions for actors, writers, directors, and crew.
- 700,000+ extra: Additional numbers of daily workers and background actors employed globally.
- 4,500 cities and towns: The streamer has filmed in over 4.5k locations in over 50 countries, using over 2,000 different production companies.
- presence of big prizes: Netflix boasts 1.7K nominations and 350+ wins at the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs over the last 10 years.
Show specific blockbuster stats
We all know shows like Stranger Things and Bridgerton are huge, but Netflix clearly explained how these major properties impact local economies and culture.
- Stranger Things: In its historic five-season run, the show has contributed $1.4 billion For US GDP. It created over 8,000 production jobs, including over 200 stunt performers for the final season alone. Let’s not forget the music: Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” seen 8,700% increase Stream Season 4 onwards on Spotify.
- Lincoln Lawyer: The hit legal drama is over $425 million In California’s economy in four seasons. It featured a cast and crew of over 4,300 and was shot over 359 days at more than 50 locations in Los Angeles.
- kpop demon hunter: This animated hit isn’t just an Academy Award and Grammy winner — it’s officially Netflix’s Most Viewed Original Movie of All TimeCrossing 500 million views. It created a huge cultural wave, resulting in a 25% spike In flight booking to South Korea and a 22% jump Users learning Korean on Duolingo in the US.
- Bridgerton: First three seasons added £275 million For the British economy. It also gave the city of Bath an economic boost of £5 million from themed tourism and hotel stays.
- Squid Game: Season 3 made huge money 60 million views In its first three days, it reached #1 in 93 countries.
- Love is blind: Welcome to the “Love Capital of Europe”. A small town in Sweden outside Stockholm called Strängnäs turns into a bustling hub 40 weeks a year for filming seven different European versions of the reality dating hit.
Image Credit: Netflix
Licensing is still king
While original series dominate the cultural sphere, Netflix has revealed a very important statistic about its library: 75% of titles on Netflix are licensed From other creative partners.
Over the past decade, Netflix has licensed content from more than 3,000 companies. The report highlights the “Netflix bump” that these licensed titles get when they land on the platform. The biggest example? Suitwho has produced a 400+ million views On Netflix from 2023, twelve years after it first aired.
Cultural and travel ripple effects (set-jetting)
Netflix shows decide what we wear, what we listen to, and where we spend our holidays. According to reports the audience is 2.4 times more likely A country can be said to be their top travel destination after it appears on Netflix.
- Emily in Paris: 38% of tourists visiting France cited the Lily Collins comedy as one of their main inspirations for visiting.
- Wednesday: After Season 1 ended, Expedia looked at 150% increase Romania in travel searches. (Season 2 would later relocate to Ireland).
- Crown: royal drama inspired 53% increase In global flight searches for Aberdeen after season 4 depiction of Balmoral Castle.
- Queen’s Gambling Effect: Remember when everyone suddenly wanted to play chess? Netflix confirmed that sales of chess sets in the US increased by 87% after the limited series, and chess book sales increased by more than 600%.
breaking the language barrier
Perhaps the most impressive statistic is how global our viewing habits have become. A decade ago, non-English language series and movies represented less than a tenth of total viewing on Netflix. Today, it is more than a third (33%).
By 2025, a huge 70% views on Netflix Came from members watching the title from a country other than their own. To support this, Netflix movies and series are now dubbed in 36 languages and subtitled in 33.
What’s your favorite situation from the Netflix Effect report? Has a Netflix show ever convinced you to travel somewhere new or take up a new hobby? Let us know in the comments below!
