Netflix says it invested $135 billion in content over decade, created 425,000 jobs globally

Netflix says it has invested more than $135 billion in films and series globally over the past decade, contributing over $325 billion to the world economy and creating more than 425,000 jobs through its productions.

In a blog post titled “The Netflix Effect,” Co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the company was doubling down on content investments even as parts of the global entertainment industry face spending pressures.

"While other entertainment companies pull back, we’re leaning in — spending tens of billions of dollars on content every year, investing in production facilities from Spain to New Jersey, and growing the entertainment industry through training programs that have reached over 90,000 people across more than 75 countries,” Sarandos wrote.


Netflix said the report examines the “economic, cultural and social impact” of its films and series across markets worldwide.

The company said it now produces content in more than 4,500 cities and towns across over 50 countries.

“Over the past decade, Netflix has invested more than $135B in films and series, contributing over $325B to the global economy. We’ve created more than 425,000 jobs on our productions alone,” Sarandos wrote.

The executive said Netflix’s global strategy has been rooted in local storytelling.

“At the time, there were plenty of headlines about how Netflix was going global. But we knew, even back then, that the best way to be global was to start off intensely local,” he said.

The company highlighted the economic impact of several flagship productions. According to Netflix, four seasons of The Lincoln Lawyer contributed more than $425 million to California’s economy and employed over 4,300 cast and crew members.

Similarly, five seasons of Stranger Things created more than 8,000 production jobs, with over 3,800 vendors involved in the show.

Netflix also pointed to the broader cultural influence of its content. The company claimed that after the release of KPop Demon Hunters, language-learning platform Duolingo recorded a 22% increase in Americans studying Korean, while flight bookings to South Korea rose by 25%.

Sarandos said Netflix would continue investing in creator ecosystems, production infrastructure and training initiatives globally.

“We’ll keep investing in the relationships we’ve built with the creators we work with, the communities we depend on and the fans who love to watch,” he wrote.