New Delhi: Drama and action are the most preferred streaming genres in 2023, according to a report released by cloud technology leader Cloudwards.
The research looked into seven major platforms — Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon, Disney+, Google and iTunes — across 18 genres and found that comedies, dramas, animated shows, and action or adventure are the four most popular genres across the globe while war films, romantic comedies, thrillers, and documentaries were among the least popular. Other genres like horror and sci-fi did not fare well either.
In India as well as Asia, action was the most popular genre, trumping romance or thrillers. One in six Asians from India, Japan, and Indonesia voted for action and movies involving death-defying stunts. One-third or more of Pakistanis preferred comedies. Among Israeli viewers, at least 20% are fantasy fans.
Twenty-three percent Indians voted for action movies, while 22% voted for comedies and 18% for drama. Romance was the choice for a mere 0.90% of the population.
Americans love drama, Carribeans prefer representation
In terms of streaming popularity, dramas dominate in 28 nations. There were 23 countries that saw either an action or animation film as their second favourite genre. Animated films are loved by people everywhere, from the Arctic to the Tropics.
Further, the report found that while dramas are more popular in Scandinavia, action films take the lead in Asia. However, at least a third of the population in North American island countries like the Bahamas and Jamaica, prefer animated films due to their representation of local culture.
More than one-quarter of American television viewers favour dramas over other genres, the report found. However, over one-sixth of Brazilians and at least one-fifth of Peruvians are drawn to animated films and series as a form of escape. Movies like “Moana” and “Coco” were huge hits in tropical nations like Jamaica and the Bahamas because of their vibrant animation and accurate portrayal of local culture, the study revealed.
Comedy is also popular in other European nations, such as France and Romania. Comedy films are especially popular in South Asian nations, including inn Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Maldives, where more than a quarter of respondents chose this genre.
No takers for romance
None of the top genre choices involved romance, suspense, or documentaries. Romantic comedies and romantic dramas were the least popular genre of all. However, romance films remain popular in countries such as Nigeria, Colombia, Chile, Greece, and Argentina.
Canadians love their Westerns, while Israelis are huge fans of fantasy with at least one in five tuning in. Several other categories, including war films, romantic comedies, thrillers, and documentaries, fared much worse. Other genres, like horror and science fiction, were also less popular.
Research revealed that many countries in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, too prefer action films to those of any other genre. Because of its focus on physical skill, exciting action sequences, and adrenaline-pumping soundtracks, action films have broad appeal.
Also read: Bollywood romances are dead. This generation doesn’t have its own Raj, Rahul or Simran