The Rise of Streaming Services: How They've Changed the Movie Industry

It's a bit hard to imagine, but there was once a time when streaming wasn't the go-to method to watch movies. For me, this shift to streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max has completely changed movie-watching. I remember there was a time when, in order to see the latest release, I needed to rush either to Blockbuster or to my local video store. Well, nowadays, I can almost watch every movie I want whenever I wish in the comfort of my home. But it's much more than a question of convenience. Streaming services have completely flipped up every single aspect of the film industry, even more so in which way we actually view them.

One of the changes I've been feeling increasingly is how the streaming service came up as a great door-opener in terms of accessing movies throughout the world. When I used to watch films, I often felt limited to what was available in my local theater or video rental store. Now, with platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, I have access to international films, indie darlings, and cult classics that I would have never discovered before. Take *Parasite*, for example. It became a global sensation, not because it was widely released in theaters, but because streaming services made it accessible to a wider audience. Streaming platforms have made it so much easier for niche films to find their audience, and for me, that's one of the most exciting aspects of the streaming boom.

Streaming services have also had a huge impact on movie production. A few years ago, it would have been unimaginable for a major studio to release a movie directly onto a streaming platform. Nowadays, it is commonplace to see films like *Roma* or *The Irishman* go directly onto Netflix, bypassing theater releases. As a film lover, this shift really excites me. That means that filmmakers-most especially those on very low budgets or with ideas that were once considered too weird-would have a place to showcase their work without having to have some big studio behind them. It's democratizing the industry, giving voices to people who might have never been heard.

Another way it has changed movie production is in the sheer volume of content available. With all of the various platforms producing original films, there is literally an endless array of choices. I think, personally, that I am more apt to take a risk on films I may have never seen in theaters. Not feeling obligated to buy a movie ticket or commit to a two-hour time slot, I am more apt to click on something unknown. The downside to this, however, is the paradox of choice—sometimes, with so many options, it’s hard to know what to watch! I’ve spent more time scrolling through Netflix trying to decide than actually watching a movie. Still, this abundance of choice means that I’m exposed to more diverse content than ever before.

But as much as I love the convenience of streaming, I can't help but feel it's had a downside for the theater experience. While it's made films more accessible, it's also made it easier for big studio blockbusters to dominate theaters while smaller, more artistic films get relegated to the streaming world. I miss the days when a variety of films could stand out in theaters. Even considering this, I must admit that the rise of streaming services has created a new kind of film appreciation where the "event" of going to the theater has become more about spectacle, while more intimate or experimental films are finding their homes in streaming libraries.

Other main changes that streaming has really made are in the way that movie-watching has really become a private affair. Never mind waiting for a film to show up on TV, or for the most part, watching it exclusively in theaters. Now I can pause, rewind, and binge-watch movies at will. This shift also goes down in how films are being produced. With the rise of TV series on streaming platforms, some filmmakers are opting to release films as series or miniseries. This gives more room for character development and plot depth. I love this because, as a viewer, I get more time to immerse myself in a story without it being constrained by the usual 90-minute runtime.

But with all these changes, there's the question of quality. With so many movies now being produced straight to streaming, how can we differentiate the good from the bad? There is just a plethora of stuff on a platform like Netflix, where some of that is absolutely brilliant, but so much feels rushed or formulaic. I’ve definitely found myself watching movies that didn’t live up to my expectations, partly because it feels like there’s a push to create as much content as possible. But when streaming services hit the mark with a truly great movie, like 'The Trial of the Chicago 7' or 'The White Tiger', it really does feel like a breath of fresh air.

Overall, I am not in a position to deny that streaming services have affected the movie industry in really deep ways: they made films more accessible, allowed for a wider variety of content, and gave filmmakers new opportunities to tell stories without the constraints of traditional studios. While I still enjoy the experience of going to a theater for blockbusters, this growth of streaming has made me increasingly appreciate the flexibility and range of movies at my disposal. Whether it be watching some independent film from the other side of the world or the newest release on my couch, streaming has managed to make watching movies a personal thing, even in some ways more thrilling.