During theatrical screenings of Conclave, many moviegoers found themselves asking, “Wait, what did they say?” The film, as shown in cinemas, had no subtitles — unlike its streaming release. Audiences say streaming platforms have rewired how we consume content — subtitles are no longer just for foreign language titles but also English content. In the US, almost 50% viewers regularly watch English content with English subtitles. Closer home, viewers say the trend is just as strong, if not strong — though there’s little formal data to confirm it.
:“Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” And it seems like viewers have truly gotten over t he barrier. We take a look at how subtitles have gone from optional to essential for everyone, everywhere.
- In 2022, Netflix revealed t hat 40% of its global users have subtitles (more commonly known as closed captions in some countries) on all the time, while 80% switch them on at least once a month — stats that far exceed the number of viewers who need captioning because of HEARING IMPAIRMENT.
- Apple TV automatically enables subtitles when you rewind a show by more than ten seconds.
DEFAULT OPTION IS TO ALWAYS KEEP SUBTITLES ON:
“Whenever I’m watching something on a streaming platform, my default option is to always keep subtitles on. If there’s a subtle or subtextual moment that I might miss, one’s that’s integral to the plot, subtitles help me catch it.
“Whenever someone tells me — you don’t need a subtitle for this series or film — I’m like — Oh! I need it. I need it to watch, to understand and to screenshot and post on socials!”
THE SUBTITLE THAT REVEALED THE PLOT!:
In some cases, subtitles have actually ruined the show for fans. Fans were enraged that the subtitles inadvertently revealed the killer in the whodunit, even though the show had not reached its climax.
IT’S SUBTITLES OVER DUBBED VERSION:
Most fans of Korean films and series are convinced that they know Korean because they can say words like oppa, saranghae, and kamsahamnida. Viewers say that watching a series with English subtitles and audio in its original language feels more authentic than a dubbed version.
COLOR-CODED CAPTIONS FOR MULTINGUAL SHOWS:
With the rise of multi-lingual shows, platforms are finding creative ways to differentiate between languages in the subtitles. Creators used color-coded subtitles for different languages.
SUBTITLES INCREASE COMPREHENSION, BUT CAN DIVERT ATTENTION AWAY FROM VISUAL CUES:
As per studies, subtitles reinforce comprehension, especially in non-native speakers. They help clarify fast or unclear speech, unfamiliar accents, or complex dialogues. Subtitles also often help viewers retain information better. By reading and hearing the same content, viewers engage multiple cognitive pathways, improving memory and comprehension.
However, reading subtitles can divert attention away from visual cues — body language, facial expressions, or background actions — that are essential for full narrative comprehension. In one study, 92% of participants felt they missed visual details while reading subtitles.
