In a compelling interview with the New York Times, Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos made headlines by claiming that last year’s blockbuster sensations, “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer”, would have achieved equally phenomenal success on the streaming platform as they did in traditional brick-and-mortar theaters. Sarandos confidently rebuffed the longstanding belief that the success of a movie is partially tied to the size of the screen on which it is displayed. “There’s no reason to believe that the movie itself is better in any size of screen,” Sarandos stated, challenging what many in the film industry have held as an unshakable truth for years.
The comments from Sarandos arrive just as the box office numbers for both films reveal their enormous financial achievement. “Barbie,” a product of Warner Bros., managed to secure an astounding $1.44 billion in global earnings. Not to be outdone, Universal Pictures’ “Oppenheimer” brought in a hefty $951 million worldwide. The near-simultaneous release of these two major films sparked a cultural phenomenon coined as ‘Barbenheimer’, a portmanteau that captured the collective imagination and widespread anticipation of fans globally.
When queried about whether some types of content might not align with Netflix’s platform, Sarandos was unequivocal in his response. “Both of those movies would be great for Netflix. They definitely would have enjoyed just as big an audience on Netflix,” he remarked. Sarandos’s assertion disrupts the conventional wisdom that major blockbuster films are inherently best suited for theatrical releases because of the immersive, larger-than-life experience that bigger screens provide.
Sarandos took the opportunity to elaborate on the versatility and adaptability of modern content consumption across various screen sizes and formats. “Old classics are being consumed on smaller devices by younger audiences,” he explained. He illustrated this by recounting a personal anecdote about his son, who is a 28-year-old editor, watching the epic film “Lawrence of Arabia” on his mobile phone.
. This anecdote serves as a testament to the shifting tendencies in how audiences are enjoying films, irrespective of screen size.
In addition to these remarks, the interview delved into Netflix’s strategic direction in the wake of Scott Stuber’s exit as film chairman. Sarandos was quick to underscore the continuing success and the robust slate of original content that Netflix is continually producing. Reaffirming Netflix’s commitment to a diverse array of films, Sarandos stated, “We think that formula works best to entertain the world.” He promised a balanced mix of first-window releases (premieres), second-window releases (post-theatrical streaming), and deep catalog films (older titles), a strategy that he believes will keep viewers engaged and satisfied.
Sarandos’s comments reflect a broader evolution within the entertainment industry, where the lines between theatrical and digital releases are increasingly becoming blurred. With technological advancements and the proliferation of high-resolution screens on personal devices, the traditional movie theater experience is no longer the singular benchmark of cinematic enjoyment. This paradigm shift, according to Sarandos, aligns perfectly with Netflix’s vision to offer world-class entertainment no matter how viewers choose to consume it.
This approach complements Netflix’s expansive library of both old and new films, including its considerable investment in international cinema. The platform has increasingly catered to a global audience, recognizing that film is an art form not confined to the geographical borders and that a hit movie in one region can find fanfare in another with equal fervor.
Sarandos wrapped up by encouraging the industry to reconsider outdated perceptions about film consumption. He suggests that both the traditional and streaming models can co-exist, each catering to different aspects of the entertainment experience. While the magic of a cinema screen is undisputed, the convenience and accessibility of streaming platforms like Netflix bring a different kind of magic to diverse audiences.
The conversation around “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” as examples illustrates a growing trend — the appetite for high-quality content is substantial, regardless of the medium. As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, Netflix, under Sarandos’s leadership, appears to be well-positioned to address the changing preferences of today’s viewers, ensuring that blockbuster hits will find their monumental success whether on a grand cinema screen or a personal device.
