Prime-Video - Prime Video Scores Biggest International Audiences Ever For Non-English Language Originals

By Mulder, 20 june 2023

"We're delighted to see French know-how shining around the world thanks to a combination of talent both in front of and behind the camera. This demonstrates our ambition and our desire to go even further by working hand in hand with top French talent like Franck Gastambide."  Thomas Dubois, Director of Original Content, Prime Video France.

Prime Video records highest-ever international audiences for non-English-language original films Two original films launched in the last two weeks, Culpa Mía (Spain) and Medellín (France), become the best-selling non-English-language local original films in Prime Video's history. 

Prime Video has recorded record international success for two of its most recent international original title launches, with feature films Culpa Mía (Spain) and Medellin (Medellín, France) becoming the best-selling non-English-language local original titles in Prime Video's history. The films, which were launched over the past two weeks in 240 countries and territories worldwide simultaneously, set a new bar for Prime Video streams of non-English-language content, following on from the global success of Prime Video's original Argentinian film, Argentina 1985, which was nominated earlier this year for the Oscar for Best International Film and won the Golden Globe Award for Best International Film. Prime members in France benefit from exclusive Prime Flash Sales, accelerated delivery and access to the best in entertainment in a single subscription for just €6.99/month or the low price of €69.90/year.

Following its worldwide release on June 8, the local Spanish original Culpa Mia became the biggest non-English-language touring film launch in Prime Video history. The film, based on Mercedes Ron's best-selling book trilogy of the same name, was the number-one movie worldwide on Prime Video during its opening weekend, and since its launch has ranked among the top 10 most-watched titles in over 190 countries, including the US, UK, Australia, India, Argentina and France. Medellin, which follows a young YouTuber fascinated by Pablo Escobar, was launched on June 2 and is the second biggest launch of a non-English-language film ever watched in over 170 countries, including the UK, USA, Spain, Mexico, Germany and Italy. In both cases, over 75% of viewers came from abroad (Spain for A Contre-sens and France for Medellin).

Prime Video also unveiled today its Top 10 most-watched local non-English original films and series worldwide, based on performance outside their country of origin:

01 - Culpa Mía (Movie, Spain, June 2023) 
02 - Medellin (Movie, France, June 2023)
03 - Sayen (Movie, Chile, March 2023)
04 - A Private Affair (Un Asunto Privado, TV Series, Spain, September 2022)
05 - The Gryphon (Der Greif, TV Series, Germany, May 2023)
06 - Overdose (Movie, France, November, 2022)
07 - The Head of Joaquín Murrieta (La Cabeza de Joaquín Murrieta, TV Series, Mexico, February 2023)
08 - Fakes (Farzi, TV Series, India, February 2023)
09 - Gangs of Lagos (Movie, Nigeria, April 2023)
10 - Argentina 1985 (Movie, Argentina, October 2022)

"This has been a pivotal year for non-English language films and series on Prime Video, and it's very exciting to see titles from eight different countries in our top 10 of the last twelve months. The success of A Contre-sens and Medellin clearly shows that our customers around the world appreciate local stories, made by the best storytellers and local talent," said James Farrell, Vice President, Local Originals, Prime Video and Amazon Studios. "Prime has more than 200 million subscribers and Prime Video is available in more than 240 countries and territories around the world. This is a truly global and extremely diverse audience, and it's fantastic to see our customers responding to high-quality storytelling by brilliant talent from around the world."

All titles, including new releases Medellin, A Contre-sens and The Gryphon, are available to stream now for Prime Video customers in over 240 countries and territories worldwide, as part of their Prime subscription. These series and films are part of an international series aimed at Prime Video customers worldwide. Upcoming new launches include the TV series Love Transit in Japan and Indian Police Force in India later this year.

About Culpa Mia

Synopsis: Noah (Nicole Wallace) has to leave her town, boyfriend and friends to move into the mansion of William Leister (Iván Sánchez), her mother's (Marta Haza) new rich husband. Seventeen years old, proud and independent, Noah resists the idea of living in a mansion surrounded by luxury. There she meets Nick (Gabriel Guevara), her new half-brother, and the clash of their strong personalities becomes obvious from the start. Noah soon discovers that behind the image of a model son, Nick hides a life of fighting, gambling and illegal car racing - exactly what she's always been running from. Despite the chasm that separates them, the two begin to feel an irresistible attraction that soon turns into pure fire and unbridled passion. Neither their ongoing rivalry nor the opposition of those around them can stop them from falling secretly and madly in love. But Nick's turbulent present and Noah's stormy past will test their lives and their forbidden love.
Note: Written and directed by Domingo Gonzalez, Culpa Mia is based on the best-selling book trilogy of the same name by Mercedes Ron and stars Nicole Wallace, Gabriel Guevara, Marta Hazas and Iván Sánchez. Culpa Mia is produced by Pokeepsie Films (Veneciafrenia, 30 Coins, The bar), with Álex de la Iglesia and Carolina Bang as producers and Domingo González as director and screenwriter.

About Medellin

Synopsis: Medellin follows Pablito, a young YouTuber fascinated by Pablo Escobar, who realizes his dream by flying to Medellín, Colombia, to follow in the famous drug lord's footsteps. A few days later, a video is posted on social media showing that Pablito has been kidnapped by a group of dangerous Narcos. But the Narcos don't know that Pablito has an older brother, who will come up with a crazy plan: put together a team of underdogs, take on the Cartel in Colombia and bring his little brother home safe and sound.
Note: Medellin is based on an original idea by Franck Gastambide (Pattaya, Taxi 5, Validé) and co-written by Gastambide and Charles Van Thieghem.  It is produced by Mandarin & Compagnie, directed by Gastambide and stars Gastambide in the lead role alongside French stars Ramzy Bedia (La Tour Montparnasse Infernale), Anouar Toubali (Pattaya), Brahim Bouhlel (Validé), Raymond Cruz (Breaking Bad), and Essined Aponte (S.W.A.T.), as well as a special appearance by one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, Mike Tyson (The Hangover).

(Source: press release)