People Divided Over Huge Netflix Change For How They Release Movies

Netflix users are in heavy debate over upcoming changes to how the streaming service releases films.

The production company and streaming giant recently took a big hit, losing $50 billion in value in just 24 hours because of its first loss of subscribers in 10 years.

In order to avoid such an incident from occurring again, big changes are reported as being set to take place according to various executives, producers and agents linked to Netflix.

One executive told The Hollywood Reporter that 'morale [has been] stuck at stock level' since the platform lost 200,000 subscribers in April.

As a result, as well as having cut two percent of its workforce (over 150 employees), the company has also had to refine the sort of content it creates.

While many of us are often sat scrolling aimlessly through the - what feels like - endless selection of films, Netflix is now set to start releasing fewer films at a time, instead focusing on making the ones that do make the cut bigger and better.

On a call about Spring earnings, Netflix co-chief Ted Sarandos stated: "Just a few years ago, we were struggling to out-monetize the market on little art films. 

"Today, we’re releasing some of the most popular and most-watched movies in the world.

"Just over the last few months, things like Don’t Look Up and Red Notice and Adam Project, as examples of that."

However, not all Netflix viewers agree with the company's plans to make 'bigger, better [and] fewer' films and many have been left confused.

The Redditor who first started the thread stated: "I’d much rather have a handful of really good shows/movies to watch than a mountain of garbage.

"Edit: For clarity, I didn't meant that good shows need be expensive, or that pouring money into a project makes it good. Actually, if you look at the history of film making, there is hardly any correlation between film quality and budget.

"As far as I care if Netflix only made low budget shows/movies that are of high quality, I'd be happy to keep my subscription."

One user agreed that quality films needn't have a huge budget, explaining that their 'favourite Netflix movies' is Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

They added: "Some of their better original comedies were pretty low budget. Meanwhile Red Notice was awful."

Another noted that Netflix had become a 'background' for them while 'working or doing chores' because of its 'overall lower quality,' even leading them to ultimately cancel their account.

Although in light of the new plans and changes, they resolved: "I’ll be keeping a note file with stuff I hear about that interests me. When there’s enough I may sign up for a month."

A fourth said: "I mean, they make plenty of good movies. Some of their s**t is definitely lost in the weeds, because they have so much content."

One Netflix insider reassured that despite cuts to the original independent features division which made movies under $30 million 'small movies' won't just 'go away'.

They explained they will simply be more streamlined to an audience who is passionate about them and subsequently they may become more niche.

Despite the cuts, a new film is still set to still be released 'every week' on the streamer, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Another insider noted the switch-up to create 'bigger' films, doesn't mean the budget of films always ends up being as large as $150 million.

Instead what it means is the company would likely choose to make one film for $20 million, opposed to two for $10 million.

They said: "The goal will be to make the best version of something instead of cheapening out for the sake of quantity."

"Conversations will be happening with producers and directors in the coming weeks about size and genres," another insider added.

In 2022, films such as the $469 million deal for two Knives Out sequels and over $200 million budgeted film Gray Man starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans are set for release.

In the call, Sarandos resolved: "The upcoming slate in ’22, we’re confident, is better and more impactful than it was in ’21."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy/Netflix

Topics: Netflix, TV and Film

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.