We got through a lot together in 2020. Let’s be real, this year has been hard. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings. We felt like laughing, going on an adventure, travelling, and even time traveling, escaping to another world, and of course, having a good cry.
But one of the things that got us through were the stories we enjoyed – alone, and together with our families and friends.
Here’s looking back at what all of us in India enjoyed on Netflix this year:
The films we loved: It’s no surprise that we love films in India. India has the highest viewing of films on Netflix globally and over the last year, 80% of our members in India chose to watch a film every week. This year, the most popular thriller that kept us on the edge of our seats was Raat Akeli Hai. Extraction, Malang and The Old Guard gave us our dose of adrenaline as the most popular action films. And Ludo was the most popular comedy film. Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (Telugu), Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal (Tamil), Kappela (Malayalam), and Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya (Telugu) are among many other films that featured in India’s Top 10 row.
Strong female leads we admired: We gravitated towards stories with strong female characters across genres and formats. The inspiring story, Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, was the most popular drama film in 2020. The other popular films and series in India this year included Guilty, Masaba Masaba, Bulbbul, She, Miss India and Never Have I Ever and Emily in Paris.
We also kept it real: In 2020, we explored the world of non-fiction series and documentaries. The viewing for non-fiction series on Netflix in India grew more than 250% in 2020 over 2019 and the most popular non-fiction shows that got us hooked were Too Hot to Handle, Indian Matchmaking and the recently released Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives. Documentary viewing also grew more than 100% in 2020 over 2019, and Bad Boy Billionaires, The Social Dilemma and Money Heist: The Phenomenon were the most popular documentaries on Netflix in India this year.
Romances we fell in love with: Love Aaj Kal, Ginny Weds Sunny and Mismatched were some of the most popular romantic films and series that made us swoon this year. In 2020, the viewing for romantic stories on Netflix in India increased by roughly 250%, compared to 2019. As they say, all we need is love.
Incredible performances that won our hearts: 2020 was the year of some fantastic performances. Talented new actors became the face of clever scammers in Jamtara: Sabka Number Aayega. This thriller became the Indian title to feature the longest on the Top 10 row in India. And we saw one of our favourite actors return as Ayyan Mani in Serious Men, one of the most popular drama films this year. Confused because your fan loyalties may be shifting? Well, you are not alone.
International stories that broke the language barrier: This year, we explored stories from around the world, making the best use of subtitles and dubs. Afterall, great stories can come from anywhere. The German series Dark made our world go forward and back and then back and forward and then some, and the Spanish series Money Heist, made us wish that we were in the bank when Tokyo, Berlin, the Professor and many others took over. Dark was on the Top 10 row in India for 95 days and Money Heist featured on our Top 10 row for 170 days. Yes, you read that right. The Turkish series The Protector is among the most popular titles in the fantasy genre this year and was also the non-Indian, non-English title that was viewed the most with subtitles and/or dubs. Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back-Evolution, Blood of Zeus and One-Punch Man (S2) were the most popular anime titles in India this year.
K-dramas that we were in awe of: The viewing for K-dramas on Netflix in India increased more than 370% in 2020 over 2019. Some of the most popular K-titles in India included The King: Eternal Monarch, Kingdom (S2), It’s Okay to Not Be Okay and Start-up.
Stories that our kids couldn’t get enough of: The viewing of kids titles increased more than 100% in India in 2020 over 2019. The kids adored traveling to outer space with Over The Moon, which was the most popular kids’ title on Netflix in India in 2020. The kids also loved to discover the meaning of a family with The Willoughbys and Boss Baby: Back in Business (S4) and grooved with Feel the Beat. Special mention to the lovable Mighty Little Bheem (S3) that featured in the Top 10 lists in the most number of countries globally.
2020 may be coming to an end, but our stories won’t. Stream On with Netflix.
Written by Monika Shergill, Vice President, Content, Netflix India