Staff Reporter
Major streaming services Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV+ have doubled down on Spanish productions with a growing slate of projects that showcase the local film industry’s talents. The move comes amid a stellar year for local productions, with everything from true crime series based in Spain to Eva Longoria’s Land of Women attracting international attention.
Spanish Productions Meet Growing Demand for Local Entertainment
While Spain has long had a thriving film and television industry, the country’s creative output received newfound international audience attention with the release of Netflix’s La Casa de Papel in 2017. By 2018, the series became the most-watched non-English language series and was instrumental in motivating streamers to invest in more local productions.
Another boon to online streaming has been the home entertainment revolution, whereby audiences have more options than ever to watch and play content than before. In addition to streamers, online casinos have been exploding in popularity, with the online slot games at Paddy’s some of the most popular in the world. Sometimes the sectors have crossed over, with a La Casa de Papel slot released in 2020.
A Bumper Year for Spanish Content
This year has been particularly prolific for Spain’s film and television output by global streamers, with Netflix releasing more than 20 local productions alone. This included the eighth and final season of Elite, the crime drama The Asunta Case, and the documentaries It’s All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football and 900 Days Without Annabel.
In December, Netflix will release miniseries 1992, a highly-anticipated mystery from Álex de la Iglesia. Prime Video has also released a large slate of Spanish productions. These include the singing competition Operación Triunfo, action thriller Mano de Hierro, and crime drama Reina Roja, which was in the top 10 most-watched shows in several international markets.
While Apple TV+ is known for its smaller, curated slate of productions, the streamer has invested in local productions. Eva Longoria’s Land of Women was filmed in Catalonia, with a standout performance from frequent Pedro Almodovar collaborator Carmen Maura a particular highlight of the show.
Streamers’ Slates Promise More Spanish Productions
This year, Netflix and Prime Video have revealed a slate of upcoming Spanish productions that are set to hit screens in 2025 and 2026. One of the most anticipated projects is Superestar, a drama series about 90s Spanish singer Yurena. The platform is also developing the thriller series La Viuda Negra and Cortafuego.
The projects were unveiled in September at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, which was closed with Netflix’s sequel to hit The Platform. At Prime Video, Amazon has renewed Reina Roja for a third season and announced Cochinas, a comedy starring Elena Anaya. There are also several original films due for theatrical release from the producer.
With 2024 already proving to be a landmark year for Spain’s film and television sector, the next two years are set to surpass this output further. Spanish content continues to find an international following thanks to the streamers’ wide reach, with audiences gravitating toward the country’s unique approach to storytelling. This doesn’t just benefit the local film industry but helps give Spanish stories and creators a global platform.
