Foreign shows on Netflix
In today’s popular age of the internet, Netflix’s international streaming service has offered opportunities for many foriegn filmmakers an opportunity to cross borders. Television shows that once never had the chance to see the North American viewers eyes have now become top Netflix hits. This includes shows including (but not limited to) Money Heist, Dark and The Elite.
Amid the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic Money Heist (La Casa de Papel in its original Spanish title) was one of Netflix’s most binged shows, constantly gaining its rightful spot in Netflix’s top 10. But did you know before its big success it was actually considered a flop? It was added on Netflix Spain in 2017 and was purchased for 2 dollars. You read right, dos dolares! Not only this but there was no promotion whatsoever for this series on Netflix and the decision to drop 2 seasons together is history!
Netflix’s Dark, released in late December 2017, is the service's first German-language original series. Dark begins its story around a mystery of a missing child that sets 4 families on a hunt for the truth while unveiling further mystery amongst the generations. This current series is a favourite, appearing multiple times on Netflix’s top 10 while receiving positive reviews from both critics and viewers. Often this series was compared to shows like Stranger Things and Black Mirror, while even receiving stronger reviews.
This Netflix Spanish original, The Elite, became an instant hit in its October 2018 premiere where a second season was ordered by Netflix during the same month of its release. The Elite unfolds the story of a group of teenagers attending private school while unrevalleing the dark mystery behind the murder of their fellow classmate - Marina. As secrets begin to unravel, viewers dive in deeper as each episode becomes more addicting than the nex. By 2019, Netflix announced that this series was binged by over 20 million households and at the time was the most binged international show.
The success of these shows is one of the reasons why Netflix still has a competitive edge compared to other streaming services such as Disney+ and HBOMax, it opens its door to a world of a whole new demographic.
By Avigaeil Moskovitz.
Citations
Casaus, Sara. “'Money Heist' Almost Flopped: The Story of How Netflix Saved the Show.” Film Daily, Film Daily, 25 Jan. 2021, filmdaily.co/obsessions/money-heist-story/#:~:text=Netflix to the rescue,the first two seasons together.
Feldman, Dana. “5 Dark Foreign Shows On Netflix That Are Worth The Binge.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 31 Aug. 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/danafeldman/2020/08/30/5-dark-foreign-shows-on-netflix-that-are-worth-the-binge/?sh=768fb11f2b74.
Puentes, Patricia. “Money Heist on Netflix Is the Show You Should Be Watching Right Now. Here's Why.” CNET, CNET, 21 Jan. 2021, www.cnet.com/news/lupin-money-heist-on-netflix-next-obsession/#:~:text=Money Heist (La Casa de,season in its first month.
Smith, Nasha. “Will 'Elite' Be Able To Maintain Its Successful Run Amid Cast Change?” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 30 July 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/nashasmith/2020/07/30/will-elite-be-able-to-maintain-its-successful-run-amid-cast-change/?sh=3a612b264ec2.
