Part 8/9:
The increasing budgets reflect a broader trend in streaming services: massive investments to create blockbuster content that can compete with theatrical releases. For Netflix, Stranger Things is not just a show but a cultural phenomenon capable of pulling in massive subscriptions and engagement, making these multi-hundred-million-dollar investments worthwhile.
Meanwhile, The Acolyte exemplifies the willingness within franchise productions—particularly those under the Disney-Lucasfilm umbrella—to pour enormous sums into high-quality, high-visual-impact projects. The challenge remains in justifying such costs through audience size and engagement, especially for niche or franchise-specific content.