Apple takes a "quality over quantity" approach. While they have far fewer productions than Netflix, their hit rate is astonishing. CODA won the Oscar for Best Picture—a major coup for a streamer. Ted Lasso became a beacon of optimism during the pandemic, and Severance is widely considered a masterpiece of sci-fi thriller writing. Apple is positioning itself as the home of "prestige studio" productions. Popularity isn't just about budget; it is about cultural impact. Two smaller studios have dominated the conversation in recent years. A24 Hit Productions: Everything Everywhere All at Once, Midsommar, Uncut Gems, The Whale
No article on popular entertainment would be complete without Disney. In the last 15 years, Disney has perfected the art of the franchise. By acquiring Marvel Entertainment (2009) and Lucasfilm (2012), Disney turned its library into an unstoppable machine.
Amazon’s acquisition of MGM gave them a massive back catalog (James Bond, Rocky), but their original productions are the draw. The Boys is a brutal, satirical deconstruction of superhero tropes that has become a cultural landmark. Meanwhile, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is the most expensive TV production in history, demonstrating Amazon’s willingness to spend billions to establish a fantasy foothold. Hit Productions: Ted Lasso, Severance, Killers of the Flower Moon, CODA