Netflix Launches New Site Claiming It Has Boosted Global Economy by $325 Billion in a Decade
Netflix is highlighting what it calls “The Netflix Effect,” a new way of describing its global impact over the past decade. According to Netflix, this effect shows how its films and series have influenced not just entertainment, but also jobs, economies, and culture around the world.
The company says that since its major international expansion in 2016, when it launched in more than 130 countries at once, it has grown into a truly global platform. Today, Netflix claims it reaches over 190 countries and territories.
In data shared by Netflix itself and reported through its new website thenetflixeffect.com, the company says it has invested more than $135 billion in movies and TV shows over the past 10 years. It also claims those productions have helped generate more than $325 billion for the global economy.
Netflix also says its productions have created a large number of jobs, including over 425,000 direct jobs in film and TV production. It also claims there were more than 700,000 extra and day-worker roles connected to its projects.
In a blog post, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos described the company’s impact as something that spreads widely beyond entertainment.
“A comprehensive look at the economic, cultural and social impact of our films and series, and how it ripples out across economies, industries and everyday life, day after day, week after week,” Sarandos said.
Netflix also says it plans to keep increasing spending on content. The company expects to invest around $20 billion in 2026 alone, focusing on new productions, global studios, and training programs.
“Now we have a responsibility to keep that flywheel going,” Sarandos wrote. He added that while other companies may reduce spending, Netflix is continuing to invest heavily in content and production infrastructure around the world.
The company also shared examples of its reach. It claims its productions have been filmed in more than 4,500 cities and towns across over 50 countries. It has also worked with more than 2,000 production companies and licensed content from over 3,000 partners.
Netflix also pointed to individual shows and films to show its impact. It says Stranger Things helped generate $1.4 billion for the U.S. economy and supported more than 8,000 jobs across its run. Other projects like The Lincoln Lawyer and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F are also highlighted for their economic contributions in California.
Beyond money and jobs, Netflix also focuses on cultural influence. The company says non-English content now makes up more than one-third of viewing on the platform, compared to less than 10% ten years ago. It also says its shows are now dubbed and subtitled in dozens of languages.
One example it gave is how Emily in Paris influenced travel, with Netflix claiming many viewers said it inspired them to visit France. The company also pointed to global hits that sparked interest in language learning and international tourism.
However, all of these claims come directly from Netflix itself. The company has not provided independent verification for the full economic impact numbers.
Still, Netflix is using this data to show how far its content reaches beyond streaming, framing its platform as something that affects jobs, culture, and even travel habits around the world.
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