Microdramas are set to upstage Hollywood's A-list
NFLX•Short-form vertical series are gaining viewers in the United States, with YouTube reporting 6.5 billion microdrama views in the first half of 2026. Omdia estimates the format will generate $1.5 billion in revenue this year, compared with $9 billion in China.
1. Viewership grows
Microdramas are roughly two-minute vertical video episodes available on social media and dedicated apps. Omdia said “Found a Homeless Billionaire Husband for Christmas” amassed more than 400 million views, while YouTube said microdramas surpassed 6.5 billion views on its platform in the first half of 2026 and viewing time rose 50% year over year.
2. Low-cost production
A microdrama series costs around $300,000, a fraction of a regular soap opera or half-hour sitcom. Analysts at MoffettNathanson said 95% of short dramas released in China in the first quarter of this year were AI-generated. SAG-AFTRA has introduced rules and guidelines for actors working on set.
3. Competition for viewers
Omdia projects microdrama revenue of $1.5 billion this year, compared with $9 billion in China, where the format has surpassed cinema ticket spending. The article says continued growth in the United States could compete for entertainment budgets with Netflix and other streamers, including Walt Disney.
