Vertical dramas are short, fast-paced series shot in vertical format – made for today’s viewing habits on our phones. They’re emotional, addictive and easy to binge.

And the numbers show …

• Global market value: estimated at USD 4.16 billion in 2024, expected to reach USD 8.42 billion by 2031 (CAGR ~10.6%).
• In-app spending: in Q1 2025, users worldwide spent almost USD 700 million on vertical-drama apps – four times more than in the same quarter of 2024.
• Asia: China has been leading for years, with platforms like Kuaishou and Tencent Video driving billions of views and solid monetization models.
• US: platforms such as ReelShort and DramaBox are growing fast, with both downloads and revenues climbing steeply.
• Europe: still early days, but downloads are rising, and more production companies are starting to test the format – Onset Octopus (UK) , Sea Star Productions (UK) , First Tone (UK) , VideoContentShop, Madrid (ES) , Verticals in Spain (ES/UK) , Holywater / MyDrama (UA) , Moonshine Film (UK) .

For creatives this means clear opportunity. Writers, producers, directors, actors, the demand for fresh stories and new voices is increasing. With proven revenue models in Asia now expanding West, vertical dramas are no hype: they’re shaping up to be the next big business in entertainment …