The Impacts and Cultural Implications of Movie Recap Videos

Movie recaps—short videos that summarize full-length films—have become a popular way for audiences to engage with movies on video platforms. Although these recaps pose challenges for copyright owners by revealing storylines and potentially substituting for full length viewings, they also create unique opportunities to spark interest in the original films. Using data from a major Chinese video platform, we find that interest in recapped movies rises immediately after a recap’s release. In addition, movie recaps exert a twofold equalizing effect. First, they reduce the geographic concentration of movie interest, disproportionately attracting viewers from provinces with lower initial engagement—likely those with limited access to theaters and alternative entertainment. Second, recaps confer greater benefits on foreign and lesser known films, significantly enhancing their visibility relative to mainstream titles. Our analysis therefore underscores the profound cultural implications of movie recaps.