COURT Movie OTT: Netflix’s Next Big Telugu Hit After Lucky Bhaskar?

The latest Telugu release COURT: State vs. a Nobody, produced by Nani, has taken the box office by surprise. Despite being perceived as a small film, COURT has managed to draw strong theatrical audiences, both in the Telugu states and overseas, particularly in North America.

A Strategic Theatrical Release

The film had a safe theatrical run, as Netflix had already secured its OTT streaming rights, covering a significant portion of the production costs. Additionally, television partners were also on board, ensuring financial security. Until its release, COURT was primarily seen as an OTT film, given the current trend where audiences often decide in advance whether to watch a film in theaters or wait for its digital release. However, the film’s theatrical performance has defied these expectations.

Netflix’s Third Major Tollywood Success

For Netflix, COURT marks its third consecutive success in Tollywood after Lucky Bhaskar and Daaku Maharaaj, both of which performed exceptionally well and even featured in Netflix’s global non-English Top 10 charts. This highlights how content-driven Telugu films are finding widespread appreciation on the platform, breaking language barriers and reaching global audiences.

A Courtroom Drama Poised for OTT Success

COURT delves into the complexities of POCSO laws, making it a gripping legal drama. Such content-driven films typically attract a strong OTT audience, as viewers are increasingly engaging with concept-oriented cinema rather than just star-driven projects. Legal dramas, in particular, resonate well with home viewers, making COURT a perfect fit for Netflix’s vast subscriber base across different languages and regions.

The OTT Impact

While COURT is performing well in theaters, its real test will come when it lands on Netflix. Given the platform’s reach and the success of similar films, COURT is expected to garner significant traction among global viewers. Despite a modest investment in the film, Netflix is likely to score another major hit, further cementing its stronghold in the Telugu OTT space.