David Farnor | On 07, Dec 2016

Frank and Claire. Walt and Jesse. Pinot noir and caviar. Some things in life are better together, and it turns out TV and movies are one of them. New research from Netflix reveals that, after watching a TV box set, people tend break up their binge-viewing with a movie or two.

More than 30 million Netflix members around the world weave films into their binge routines, with 59 per cent of subscribers typically taking a break of around three days between ending one show and starting another. During that break, more than half (61 per cent) watch a movie – and people tend to pair up movies of the same genre to keep the mood going.

“It’s interesting that in this golden age of television, movies are consistently in demand on Netflix,” says Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer, Netflix. “What we’ve come to figure out is that movies are really an important part of people’s viewing routines and complimentary to the way they watch and enjoy TV.”

After watching Stranger Things, for example, members in the UK and Ireland moved on to Dark Skies or X-Men: Days of Future Past, both sci-fi stories of aliens and mutants. Orange is the New Black enthusiasts went on to enjoy female-led action in Lucy and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2. Similarly, those who binged Marvel’s Jessica Jones also reveled in the kick ass nature of Katniss’ quest for liberation as well as the pursuit of justice by FBI Agent Kate Macer in Sicario. Viewers of Narcos indulged their cartel curiosity with Cartel Land and City of God.

Members in the UK and Ireland continue to be huge fans of documentaries and also turn to factual films to fuel their post-binge craving. Those gripped by Making a Murderer turned to Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer and Josef Fritzl: Story of a Monster, to delve deeper into the mind of the convicted. Fans of Black Mirror went on to explore the real consequences of the digital age in Hot Girls Wanted and We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists.

The trend isn’t always the same, though: some viewers use breaks between binge-viewing to change pace completely. After American Horror Story, for example, people lightened the mood with comedies, such as Clueless and Dirty Grandpa. Some things go better together, but sometimes, you really do just need a break.

Add to Watchlist