Popular entertainment is no longer Hollywood-centric. Two regions, in particular, have exploded.
The 2010s saw the emergence of streaming services, which have revolutionized the way we consume entertainment content. Platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime have become household names, offering a vast library of TV shows, movies, and original content. Studios such as Netflix Productions, Amazon Studios, and Hulu Productions have begun to produce original content, challenging traditional studios and networks.
Video games have replaced comic books as the most sought-after source material for studios looking to build new multi-season franchises.
Studios like (Disney) and Weta FX (New Zealand) are as famous as the studios themselves. The use of "The Volume"—a massive LED stage used on The Mandalorian —has revolutionized how productions shoot sci-fi and fantasy, allowing real-time background rendering.
No studio has weaponized nostalgia and vertical integration quite like Disney. With the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Fox, Disney controls nearly 40% of the U.S. box office at any given time.
With over 260 million subscribers, Netflix produces more original content in a year than most legacy studios do in a decade. Their algorithm-driven approach prioritizes volume and data-backed decisions.