Full of revelations and well made. However it spends plenty of time on the early days, and then feels rushed when dealing with pivotal events in the later years.
It seems as though Netflix only moved into the streaming world because Blockbuster was trying it out - but I'm not sure about that. And Blockbuster's demise, when it looked as though it might survive, is also only vaguely explained. Similarly Netflix's vital decision to get into original production. Maybe it is explained, but not very clearly. So leisurely and well detailed about the origins and early years, but glossing over big events which occurred later. Still very enjoyable
19 Reviews
NOT REALLY THAT GOOD ANYMORE
lolly678 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It was funny to see this this morning, and after watching it thinking about how we are probably going to get rid of Netflix soon. The only thing I love is The Great British Baking Show and Wenworth (which is ending after Season 9 anyway). I LOVE HULU because I can watch TV shows that I didn't have to stay up until 10pm the night before to watch. I LOVE Amazon Prime Video, one because it comes free with my PRIME membership and especially because of all the other streaming channels, available such as BritBox which I will pay a couple extra dollars each month because British TV and movies are a favorite at my house. Also, they have some of the best, in my opinion, original programming such as Goliath, The Expanse, The Man in the High Castle, Sneaky Pete, The Feed, Fearless, and of course, my two very favorites Tales from the Loop and Fleabag...just to name a few. They blow Netflix away! I am also sad that just because streaming is easier, that all the video rental stores are gone.
Not to offend anyone, but on Netflix I cannot choose not to have movies in other languages where I have to watch the subtitles. Das Boot being my exception, and High Tension and its being dubbed. Netflix is inundated with half or more of its shows from other countries that I am not interested in. Which is GREAT for people who want to watch that! But I don't get to choose, it is shoved in my face and I cannot change that in a preference, etc. So the thing I CAN change is getting rid of Netflix, especially when I can spend my monthly Netflix payment and buy the seasons ol TWD, Better Call Saul, American Horror Story, etc. while they are current. For Netflix you pay a years worth of fees to wait for the next season to come out.....IF it does.
So I am thinking that maybe Netflix jumped the gun here thinking they are still as good as they think....just my opinion.
Not to offend anyone, but on Netflix I cannot choose not to have movies in other languages where I have to watch the subtitles. Das Boot being my exception, and High Tension and its being dubbed. Netflix is inundated with half or more of its shows from other countries that I am not interested in. Which is GREAT for people who want to watch that! But I don't get to choose, it is shoved in my face and I cannot change that in a preference, etc. So the thing I CAN change is getting rid of Netflix, especially when I can spend my monthly Netflix payment and buy the seasons ol TWD, Better Call Saul, American Horror Story, etc. while they are current. For Netflix you pay a years worth of fees to wait for the next season to come out.....IF it does.
So I am thinking that maybe Netflix jumped the gun here thinking they are still as good as they think....just my opinion.
A Seemingly Obvious Idea Explodes
ethanarmstrong7929 September 2020
A group of folks connected a video rental store with the post office, and it turned into a $216 billion company. I skipped over the part where they designed the Web 1.0 application, experimented with a variety of business strategies, reconnoitered an automated mail sorter for their own use, overtook Blockbuster Video, built a sizable install base, switched to digital distribution, released their own content.
An interesting documentary about the history of Netflix
benm-4175119 October 2020
This was a fun documentary about how Netflix came about, how it progressed from an idea to a promising company, how it beat Blockbuster in the DVD rental market, and how it eventually made the change to streaming video.
My one problem with the documentary is that it became very fixated on the competition between Netflix and Blockbuster, and I started to get confused about when they were talking about which company. It kept going back and forth between interviews with Netflix and Blockbuster employees, and I couldn't keep track of who they were talking about at some points.
In any case, this is definitely worth throwing on if you are curious or if you are interested in tech companies.
My one problem with the documentary is that it became very fixated on the competition between Netflix and Blockbuster, and I started to get confused about when they were talking about which company. It kept going back and forth between interviews with Netflix and Blockbuster employees, and I couldn't keep track of who they were talking about at some points.
In any case, this is definitely worth throwing on if you are curious or if you are interested in tech companies.
this happened, then that happened, then something else happened
JustHavingALook5 June 2023
Yes, it's a well produced and put together "piece of content"
but, alas, it gets boring real fast.
They do interview excellent names, and that's what saves this "documentary"
Now: maybe it doesnt help that I already knew the story behind Netlix success (now, waiting for the fall after the rise). But the main issues still stands: Netflix itself is the subject/protagonist we are following and it is not relatable. I dont care about it because I know it will make it.
All the obstacles presented cannot make me intrigued and root for the protagonist, I already know it will succeed.
There are ways to weave goals and obstacles and values and stakes in a away that is dramatic and entertaining and I couldnt see any of that here.
Also: I guess the animations are supposed to bring a jovial atmosphere on an otherwise business oriented topic, but for me they just dont work: too fast and too cartoonish.
They do interview excellent names, and that's what saves this "documentary"
Now: maybe it doesnt help that I already knew the story behind Netlix success (now, waiting for the fall after the rise). But the main issues still stands: Netflix itself is the subject/protagonist we are following and it is not relatable. I dont care about it because I know it will make it.
All the obstacles presented cannot make me intrigued and root for the protagonist, I already know it will succeed.
There are ways to weave goals and obstacles and values and stakes in a away that is dramatic and entertaining and I couldnt see any of that here.
Also: I guess the animations are supposed to bring a jovial atmosphere on an otherwise business oriented topic, but for me they just dont work: too fast and too cartoonish.
A fast paced doc that gives good context to the change of Hollywood
braininacat21 July 2022
I got a lot more out of this then I expencted I would! Not only does it cover the story of Netflix but does a great job talking about all the other companies around it that had to change along the way. The rise and fall of blockbuster and the way film industry saw streaming come makes for a fantastic doc if you are interested n film in the siltiest. Goes by fast and gives a lot of info. Really enjoyed it.
Very well made doc. Worth a watch
williamgway22 May 2020
Really enjoyed this insight into the growth of Netflix. Does a great job with mostly excellent sources telling the tale. Very well edited to keep the pace and interest. Loved the backstory on Blockbuster, which I had either forgotten or did not know. I recommend this.
Intriguing insightful compehensive history of netflix at the beginning to now.
lbruhnca26 May 2020
I remember how cool it was to pick and put in your queue movies on the Netflix site. With anticipation I'd wait for the mail to get the DVDs and Loved that I could keep them however long I wanted and return them when I was ready for more DVDs. I got so mad at Blockbuster because of late fees, but how I remember going there to look at the wall of DVDs (and VHS tapes before that!) to pick the movie to watch. Things have changed so much and its intriguing how Netflix has stayed ahead of the curve of the changing digital distribution landscape and delivers what audiences want in both platform delivery and content. Well done documentary, hat's off to these filmmakers. A recommended watch for everyone.
Gives you some decent yet basic info, but little else
Jeremy_Urquhart9 July 2020
The title gives you the impression that it's going to be more exciting, insightful, dramatic, and maybe even more critical than it ends up being. And it's competently made and put together as a documentary, and does tell an unsurprising, non-dramatic story about Netflix's origins and growth... By that I mean it technically has good information, but there's little you couldn't get without just reading the Netflix Wikipedia page. In fact, this may well be a film adaptation of a Wikipedia article- at least it feels that way. Competent but overall disappointing.
Insightful and inspiring
JCanni6825 May 2020
As a collector of physical media and one who misses the video store experience, I'd come to vilify Netflix (despite being a subscriber). But this documentary certainly helps soften the image by showing the company's human side and it's humble beginnings. The story is fascinating, entertaining and inspiring, and you'll root for the underdog Netflix team through the course of the movie and find yourself revelling in their victory. The tech/media giant they are now doesn't take away from the creative, visionary dreamers they were who went from David to Goliath.
A modern day David vs. Goliath story -small company Netflix took on Blockbuster and won!
AttyVette25 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It's a well done documentary about how a start up company not only survived but thrived even taking over Blockbuster's hold on the rental movie industry. Previously, I had always wondered why Blockbuster stores, that use to be everywhere, suddenly disappeared. This documentary explains exactly what happened and why Blockbuster lost this colossal battle against Netflix. Today, Netflix is now known around the World but when they first started out as a small company, they had an uphill battle against an established company named Blockbuster. Netflix was thinking outside the box and decided to send movie dvds through the mail, which no one else was doing. The internet also was a new thing and times were quickly changing during this period. This documentary shows Netflix even offered to sell their company to Blockbuster. However, when Netflix met with Blockbuster officials and pitched their offer to sell Netflix to them, Blockbuster officials laughed at them. In the end, however, Netflix had the last laugh and today Netflix is streaming online movies, tv shows in our homes and in hotels we stay in. It's a well done documentary about these two companies that battled for our entertainment dollars and Netflix came out on top!
Insightful, amazing
michelerigsby25 April 2020
Well done and worth watching!
leanne-589967 May 2020
Fascinating insight into the origination of and success story of Netflix. Interviews with folks that literally started the company who walked you through the successes and struggles of the business. Anyone who has a Netflix account - or was a onetime Blockbuster customer - should watch this. Anyone who is a business owner or is contemplating getting involved in a startup would learn from the experiences detailed in this documentary. This is a well-done and entertaining documentary.
Engaging Movie about how Netflix grew to what it is today
christylpope26 April 2020
Engaging movie about two people in Silicon Valley who thought out of the box when vhs was king. Pretty amazing how they figured out how to make dvds and ship them to people and how to different themselves from Blockbuster.
The cartoons showing how different deals went down are very cleverly drawn and help tell the story.
I enjoyed hearing from Blockbuster management on how they did certain things and why.
Really well done.
The cartoons showing how different deals went down are very cleverly drawn and help tell the story.
I enjoyed hearing from Blockbuster management on how they did certain things and why.
Really well done.
The Best Documentary I have seen in a long time
jsopuch-6855925 April 2020
I had no idea that there was this Blockbuster v. Nextflix war that went on. The story is really incredible. The folks that made it did their homework and the movie is awesome. Now, I'm going to buy the book which I bet is just as good or even better.
As they say in Spinal Tap, "This one goes to 11."
Fascinating story
herrimancoder23 May 2021
Loved this documentary
superspak28 January 2022
Very well made and gives you the full history of the company and the technologies/processes they innovated. The last half is more about Netflix vs Blockbuster but it is very entertaining. Loved the nostalgia of the 90s and VHS tapes as well.
Very Informative
carsonhuelle25 November 2020
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