‘Culpa Tuya’ becomes most-watched international Original as international content dominates on Prime Video
Prime Video is becoming the destination for original streaming content, and its global focus is pulling in an incredible array of different narratives and talent, and it’s catching on with audiences. Amongst this is more universal programming, and the Spanish Original young adult movie Culpa Tuya has become the most-watched international original on Prime Video following its launch.
The sequel from Mercedes Ron’s best-selling Culpables book trilogy, Culpa Tuya, launched on Prime Video on December 27, 2024, in 240 countries and territories worldwide. At launch, Culpa Tuya, ranked number 1 title on Prime Video in over 170 countries, including Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Canada, Top 3 in the U.S. and U.K., and Top 10 in over 220 countries. It has now become the most-watched International Original movie or series on Prime Video globally at launch, with 90% of streams coming from viewers outside of Spain.
Prime Video also released the list of Top 10 most-watched non-English language International Originals from 2024 that saw record-breaking viewership outside their country of origin. In 2024, a number of Prime Video International Originals debuted to international success, setting a new bar for viewership of international programming. Seven different countries feature in the Top 10 list of International Originals, reflecting the diverse viewing habits of Prime Video customers.
Top 10 Non-English Language International Originals on Prime Video in 2024 (based on performance outside their country of origin):
- Culpa Tuya (Movie, Spain, December 2024)
- Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End (Movie, Spain, October 2024)
- Maxton Hall: The World Between Us (Series, Germany, May 2024)
- Citadel: Diana (Series, Italy, October 2024)
- Citadel: Honey Bunny (Series, India, November 2024)
- Red Queen (Series, Spain, February 2024)
- Marry My Husband (Series, Korea, January 2024)
- No Gain No Love (Series, Korea, August 2024)
- Betty La Fea, The Story Continues (Series, Colombia, August 2024)
- Like A Dragon: Yakuza (Series, Japan, October 2024)
*Ranking based on total viewing figures outside country of origin in first 4-weeks of launch, with titles that launched in 2024
Young adult is a leading genre generating huge audiences and fandoms. Culpa Tuya comes out top, with German Original, Maxton Hall: The World Between Us, based on the bestselling novel series Save Me by Mona Kasten following closely behind. Young adult, female-skewing Korean dramas (or ‘K-dramas’) like Marry, My Husband and No Gain No Love also reach the Top 10 in the charts. Younger demographics are increasingly consuming content across borders, regardless of its language or origin.
Spanish language Originals continue to drive big international audiences on Prime Video. Spanish Originals in the Top 10 list include young adult movie Culpa Tuya, a post-apocalyptic action thriller film based on the successful book trilogy Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End, the series adaption of the hit thriller book trilogy Red Queen, and the Colombian Original series following “Betty’s” iconic comeback Betty La Fea, The Story Continues.
Other standouts include international stories from known brands, including the action-packed, Italian Original spy series Citadel: Diana and the Indian Original Citadel: Honey Bunny, both born from the world of Citadel, Prime Video’s Global Original series. As well as titles from known IP, including Japanese Original, Like A Dragon: Yakuza, the TV adaptation of SEGA’s iconic video game series.
“It’s been a landmark year for International Originals on Prime Video as we see customers increasingly watch international programming from inside and outside their country of origin,” said James Farrell, VP International Originals, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios. “Our International Originals strategy is built on the belief that great stories can come from anywhere and resonate everywhere, and the success we’re seeing across genres and regions encourages us to continue investing in locally-produced stories for a local and international audience.”
“We’re thrilled to see Culpa Tuya connect with viewers on such a huge global scale becoming our most-watched International Original ever at launch, and I’m delighted we’ll keep Culpables fans satisfied with more to come from the trilogy and author Mercedes Ron,” said María Contreras, Head of Movies & Scripted TV, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios. “The continued international success of Spanish Originals with Apocalypse Z and Red Queen joining Culpa Tuya in the Top 10 list, demonstrates the universal appeal of compelling storytelling, regardless of language or origin.”
As well as travelling to international audiences, International Originals launched in 2024 broke records in the country they were produced in. Break-out hits included Mirzapur, Season 3 (India), which was the most-watched show ever on Prime Video in India during its launch weekend; Oshi No Ko (Japan), which had the biggest first-month performance for a Japanese Original ever in Japan; Who Killed Him? (Mexico), the most-viewed title of all time in Mexico; The Park Maniac (Brazil), the most-watched Brazilian Original of all time; Nahir (Argentina), the most-viewed title in Argentina in its first month; Ourika (France), the most watched French Original scripted series in France; and Operación Triunfo (Spain), the most-watched local premiere and the Spanish Original that has driven the most sign-ups to Prime in the history of Prime Video in Spain, amongst others.
“Our goal has always been to produce International Originals which make an outsized impact with audiences in their home country first,” said James Farrell, VP International Originals, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios. “It’s great that our investment in fostering local talent, production and storytelling continues to connect with customers locally by breaking more viewership records in their country of origin in 2024.”
The love and passion for these series, along with their staggering watch numbers, shows that audiences are incredibly keen for new content and are not discerning series based on country of origin or whether or not they have subtitles, but instead are open to just solid storytelling and character development. It’s fantastic to see that Prime Video has recognised this and is actively working to craft content from a fan-first approach and those results have been fantastic so far for the platform and are leading to even more amazing offerings on Prime Video, including the UK adaptation of Culpa Mía, My Fault: London, which will premiere on Prime Video on February 13.
My Fault: London premieres on Prime Video on February 13.
