Netflix is widely recognized as the top entertainment company globally. However, following the CEO’s outrageous remarks about Barbenheimer, it is clear that he lacks an understanding of the reasons behind people’s movie theater visits.
The Mousetrap, written by Agatha Christie, debuted on stage on October 6, 1952. The audience was captivated by the mystery unfolding before them, and they were the first of many to receive a special instruction: do not spoil the ending for others.
The emergence of the internet has given individuals the ability to ruin experiences for others. In 2010, Wikipedia had to defend itself for its primary function of offering a comprehensive record of the play’s background and plot, which included revealing the killer’s identity.
Despite being a rare exception to the rule, it is still a forgivable one that continues to inspire extraordinary obedience even after 70 years. This is because theatergoing, like watching a movie in a crowded cinema, requires a communal commitment that streaming services cannot match in terms of cultural impact and permanence.
Netflix CEO doesn’t understand why people go to the movies
In an interview with The New York Times, Ted Sarandos, the boss of Netflix, disagrees. He stated that Barbenheimer (last year’s hit with two films, Oppenheimer and Barbie) would have achieved the same level of success on Netflix as they did in theaters.
“According to him, both of those movies would be suitable for Netflix and would have attracted a large audience just as they did in theaters. Therefore, he believes that the success of a movie does not depend on its genre for it to do well on the streaming platform.”
There is no evidence to suggest that the quality of the movie is affected by the size of the screen for everyone. For example, my 28-year-old son, who works as an editor, watched Lawrence of Arabia on his phone and still enjoyed it.
Despite Netflix’s impressive record of winning 23 Academy Awards, including eight Oscars for Oppenheimer and Barbie with a gross of nearly $2.4 billion, the streaming giant has yet to secure the coveted top prize for Best Picture, which was awarded to Christopher Nolan’s film.
However, Sarandos’ perspective fails to grasp the true significance of Barbenheimer (and the film industry as a whole) in shaping popular culture. As Jed Bartlet would say, he should embrace his wrongness and become accustomed to it, as Netflix has the ideal example to demonstrate just how out of touch he is: Atlas, the recent Jennifer Lopez blockbuster that has rightfully been dismissed as a forgettable film.
Despite being Netflix’s top movie globally, is there truly an overwhelming buzz surrounding Atlas? Are people eagerly discussing it in the streets? Have you gathered loved ones for a viewing party? Don’t even attempt to deceive me.
It is likely that millions of individuals have seen it, either intentionally or while casually relaxing, but the number of viewers does not necessarily reflect the cultural spirit of the time. It is important to recognize that Netflix curates your viewing options, promoting its own high-budget original content as well as expensive licensed shows from networks like HBO. If you could view the platform’s library through the lens of Rody Piper’s sunglasses, you would see the constant message to “OBEY.”
Two standout examples of wildly popular TV shows are Stranger Things and Squid Game. The former, being Netflix’s initial breakout hit, captured audiences before the platform was flooded with content. Meanwhile, the latter stands out as a unique and captivating phenomenon, having amassed billions of hours viewed with its dark and alluring premise.
However, I can provide you with a list of some of Netflix’s most popular movies: The Mother (136.4m views), We Can Be Heroes (137.7m views), The Gray Man (139.9m views), and Red Notice (230.9m views). Have you watched any of them? If so, have you given any of them much thought since, or did you simply press play out of mild curiosity or to avoid the tedious task of scrolling through endless options?
Making a mindless, half-hearted decision to watch something is not comparable to actually purchasing tickets at your nearby cinema. There is a distinct difference between simply choosing to watch something and actively planning an outing, where you can fully immerse yourself in the shared laughter, scares, and shocks with others. Conversely, if you happen to watch a film in the theater that you dislike, the disappointment is much more intense. Ultimately, experiencing a film in the cinema allows you to engage in a real-life, in-person event.
Barbenheimer became a phenomenon for similar reasons as other popular events, such as Star Wars: The Phantom Menace midnight screenings where both adults and children dressed in costume, Avengers: Endgame breaking records as one of the highest-grossing movies of all time in its opening weekend, and James Cameron’s Avatar making a cultural impact with his upcoming film, The Way of Water.
Despite not sharing many similarities, the underlying reason for their success remains unchanged: cinemas create memorable experiences, while streaming simply fills time.
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