The Millennial

February 4, 2026

By: Millennial Staff

With more than 250 million global users, Netflix is the largest streaming platform on the planet and arguably one of the most influential companies of our time. From conspiracy theories to murder documentaries to Alex Honnold’s live ascent of Taipei 101, everyone is exposed to and influenced by Netflix one way or another.

The platform has the power to start nationwide movements that can lead to solving a 30-year-old cold case or attempting to exonerate the Menendez Brothers for the murder of their parents in 1989. In a 2026 Forbes survey, Americans ranked Netflix as the third most trusted brand. Gen Z, in particular, had the highest trust in Netflix compared to Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers.

The size of Netflix’s reach and influence may not surprise anyone who has watched the company grow from a DVD mail company in the early 2000s to the hit-making powerhouse it is now (you don’t become a household phrase without disrupting the entire home video market). Yet, many haven’t noticed the growing sway the platform has on its viewers. In the age of cord-cutting, Netflix has essentially replaced cable as the de facto viewing platform on TVs. When access to cable and alternative news sources is dwindling, Netflix has emerged as a place most Americans still “tune in” to on a weekly basis. In the age of TikTok, Instagram, X, and Facebook, new content stems from an army of influencers who likely use Netflix as a source of relevancy for their next post or video. As a result, insert any binge-watching favorite show, and there are likely hundreds of thousands of Tweets and TikToks about it. This endless loop of content and information across multiple platforms creates a regenerative movement of influence to viewers. From memes to spoofs to audio clips, it’s how you learn of a Netflix show without ever watching it. It’s also how Netflix’s reach easily extends beyond the time spent on the app itself.

But how does this influence a generation and what exactly is Netflix doing besides creating bingeworthy TV shows?

A major shift in Netflix’s business model occurred at the beginning of the 2010s. It decided to be a creator of content instead of a sole distributor of beloved movies and sitcoms. Netflix would still carry generational favorites like The Office; however, it would also deliver original content, such as House of Cards, created by its own set of producers, writers, and directors. Many at the time were skeptical of Netflix’s venture into Hollywood’s home turf. Writers even published articles titled Netflix Wants to Be a Studio—But Can It Really Compete With Hollywood? to capture the overall sentiment of this risky business venture.

Needless to say, Netflix has succeeded beyond its wildest expectations and to the dismay of the entire Hollywood industry. Now it regularly wins Oscars and Emmys for its TV shows and films. Its audience and reach have grown globally while also bringing foreign film exposure to American soil. The extent of Netflix’s influence is still growing amid increasing competition.

The combination of its own studio, a strong cash flow from subscriptions, and unparalleled access to viewers puts Netflix in a league of its own. Barring the introduction of new programs on early television sets, has a single entity had enough control to not only rewrite the past but write a script for the future as well.

Leaders at Netflix have stated the secret sauce to their content is a pipeline model that relies heavily on region-based teams that are given full autonomy on which programs to greenlight. As a result, the decision to release a new show or documentary on Netflix is more democratic than most Hollywood studios. Netflix can assess the pulses of their audiences using the piles of viewership data and delegate to regional team who will decide which film or show will be the next bingeworthy or viral sensation. These teams can do what other studios, including AI (for right now) cannot – sense the pulse and temperature of a region across social, economics, and political norms. Releasing films during a global pandemic? Netflix understood the assignment by bringing US viewers The Tiger King. A nation mourning from the death of a famous actor or actress? Let’s promote a best hits campaign with features films of that particular celebrity. Netflix usually gets it right. The platform’s content resonates with its viewers more than any other platform and most importantly it serves a source of truth in a world of fake news and AI.

With millions of viewers across the globe, combined with its delivery efficiencies, Netflix can easily introduce new narratives, viewpoints, and stories. Stories that can educate, sway, or more plainly stir the pot. One night you may be watching a documentary about water, and before you know it, you’re googling water pollution and scarcity across the globe. It’s a topic worth bringing awareness to and for the most part, a conservation effort we can agree on. However, Netflix could easily opt to release a documentary on the hidden secrets and corruption of water conservation organizations. This latter of which likely exists in our society today. Netflix has done the latter and brought significant and sometimes controversial awareness to unknown industries or topics. One release titled, What the Health explores the grim reality of the food industry across America and the globe. It went viral for its awareness on animal cruelty and harmful ingredients in everyday foods. The documentary celebrated by some and also met with criticisms from others, who deemed it “one-sided” in its perspective of the food and agricultural industry.

Netflix’s greatest achievement is not that it learned how to make prestige television or viral documentaries, but that it quietly became a cultural influencer during a time when traditional TV outlets were fading.

The streaming giant occupies a rare middle ground in the media and entertainment landscape: trusted enough to be taken seriously, entertaining enough to command attention, and massive enough to set the agenda. What the company and its studios choose to broadcast shapes dinner-table conversations, social feeds, and public curiosity in ways few institutions ever have.

That influence is not inherently sinister, nor is it purely benevolent. It is simply powerful. Netflix can illuminate neglected stories, introduce global perspectives, and spark genuine curiosity. In doing so, it reflects a broader truth about modern media and its impact on generations. Netflix did not set out to replace cable news, Hollywood studios, or defy the status quo. It did so by offering a quality product that has continued to evolve over time without losing sight of its original purpose. As long as millions continue to “tune in” each night, the platform will remain more than a streaming service. It will be a mirror, a megaphone, and, increasingly, one of the most consequential storytellers for generations to come.