#everyone go watch phil's early content it's creative and it shines as early as 2008! go watch!

[energeticwarrior]

lion appearances in phil's videos circa early & mid 2009

x | x | x | x | x | x | x

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

It's time we all accept it: Netflix is a meme account now

When the people over at Netflix aren't obsessing over streaming, they're focused on something completely unrelated: meme-ing.

Over the past decade, Netflix has worked to step up its social media game, and in the process, wound up cultivating its present day online persona — a sassy, lighthearted, and extremely tuned-in meme account.

Netflix has gone from Bland Brand to Witty Social Media Acquaintance Who Cracks Jokes You Wish You Thought Of, and though it's utterly perplexing to some, the transformation seems to be a success.

SEE ALSO: Why 'The Princess Diaries' should be revived for streaming

The company, which was founded in 1997, didn't introduce streaming until 2007, and its main US Twitter account wasn't created until 2008.

In the early years, Netflix's Twitter was noticeably boring — geared more towards updating users with information on the latest releases and answering inquiries. But today, if you're following Netflix on social media your feeds will be sprinkled with a genuinely funny assortment of original and shared memes centered around your favorite shows, movies, and semi-disgraceful but extremely relatable binge-watches.

The journey to total meme takeover

The meme takeover happened gradually across Netflix's social platforms, but the company really began pushing the boundaries in 2015.

That's when Netflix started to step outside its comfort zone, moving away from solely posting show promotions and formal updates in favor of more personal content geared towards its users' interests.

It's not complicated. #facebookofficial

A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix) on Aug 12, 2015 at 9:46am PDT

By 2016, Netflix was taking more risks and regularly posting creative content that poked fun at its own features, played off of its users' binge-watching addictions, and highlighted specific shows like Jane the Virgin and House of Cards. It even began merging fictional, on-screen worlds with current real world happenings, like final exams or the 2016 election.

May or may not be on your exam.

A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix) on Dec 11, 2015 at 12:01pm PST

Honesty is the best policy, as long as you're speaking straight to camera. #FU16 #HouseofCards

A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix) on Mar 1, 2016 at 4:42pm PST

By the time 2017 rolled around, the service was ready to dive deep into the world of memes. It unleashed a sassy voice on Twitter and began adding text to photos like a pro. As a follower, it became clear that the social team was up on the latest trends and attempting to join in on the conversation. But that was just the beginning.

A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix) on May 10, 2017 at 3:29pm PDT

Ummm yeah

A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix) on Oct 15, 2017 at 7:01pm PDT

Meme madness: Achieved

But now, in 2018, Netflix's social team has really perfected its knack for meme making.

They're good — in a way most brands just aren't — at finding ways to make people laugh while simultaneously highlighting their own products. 

In the past brand accounts like Olive Garden, Words With Friends, Coca-Cola, Jimmy John's, Jolly Rancher, and more have tried to hop on the internet trends train and failed miserably. When Keebler attempted to cultivate a fun internet presence it came off as confusing and a bit creepy, and when IHOP tried to get people onboard with a fresh rebrand to "IHOb," people around the world rolled their eyes.

We couldn't make this up! RT to share with your BAE. #NeverEndingPasta pic.twitter.com/bp4HhYt1Uz

— Olive Garden (@olivegarden) October 17, 2014

Here come dat boi. Sucks when brands take your meme. #KeepOnSucking pic.twitter.com/mQ1IjFnDdK

— JOLLY RANCHER (@Jolly_Rancher) May 6, 2016

But that's not to say all brands are bad online. Wendy's, Merriam-Webster, and Dictionary.com are some of the few that tackle smart snark well, but Netflix is likely able to shine so damn bright because the platform is currently so of-the-moment. 

Netflix is still relatively new, and remains a constant source of entertainment that people can only access if they're willing to pay for. Whereas brands like Wendy's have been around for years, so not as many people are paying attention to them on a daily basis.

That means the Netflix Twitter account can easily provide comedic commentary on hot topics of discussion like Leo crying in The Titanic or Phil Collins' emotional Tarzan soundtrack, and share a favorite movie plot in five words or laugh over Royal Wedding moments in real time with its users.

Here's just a small selection of the jokes Netflix Twitter's unleashed so far this year.

the two moods pic.twitter.com/ZkiZqWcOn5

— Netflix US (@netflix) July 16, 2018

Film Twitter: Christian Bale is unrecognizable when he transforms into his characters Me, an intellectual: Hilary Duff is unrecognizable when she transforms into Cinderella. pic.twitter.com/u48FD1R21M

— Netflix US (@netflix) July 18, 2018

NO RULES AGAINST BASKETBALL DOGhttps://t.co/NpgSIlh7Zt

— Netflix US (@netflix) July 31, 2018

looking forward to the weekend! pic.twitter.com/PtfPhIoP8F

— Netflix US (@netflix) June 22, 2018

pic.twitter.com/LqiE74LxTE

— Netflix US (@netflix) May 19, 2018

so no one told you life was gonna be this way? pic.twitter.com/9nZYXWqaaE

— Netflix US (@netflix) May 16, 2018

🤔 pic.twitter.com/JSnShiwD4q

— Netflix US (@netflix) May 10, 2018

Kevin McCallister ○ / く|)へ. / 〉 / ￣￣┗┓ ▯ 　 　 ┗┓ ヾ○ｼ ┗┓ ヘ/ 　 Marv 　 　 ┗┓ノ 　 　 　 　 　 ┗┓

— Netflix US (@netflix) April 25, 2018

In the midst of the "In My Feelings Challenge," Netflix Twitter even cut scenes from Pretty Woman to make it sound like Julia Roberts was belting out the Drake jam.

And when To All The Boys I've Loved Before was released and everyone with a pulse started crushing on Peter Kavinsky, Netflix Twitter changed its bio to let everyone know: "SAME."

THE OFFICIAL NETFLIX ACCOUNT’S BIO IS A MOOD pic.twitter.com/k1gecFCW80

— mari (@chbellamy) August 20, 2018

When it comes to Twitter, nothing is off limits — not even getting super meta and calling its meme-making out in actual memes. And the brand's Instagram game is just as strong.

Best time to get in on a meme as a brand 13. There 12. Is 11. No 10. Right 9. Moment 8. Because 7. Memes 6. Are 5. Ever 4. Changing 3. And 2. Fluid 1. Several days late

— Netflix US (@netflix) June 29, 2018

When everyone was obsessed with finding their spirit artwork through the Google Arts and Culture app, Netflix decided to get two Stranger Things favorites in on the action. When Twitter users were laughing over that woman who was stunned by simply being in Beyoncé's presence, Netflix turned it into a relatable meme for fans of The Good Place. And when people were respecting their own personal presidents, Netflix was showing some love for Parks and Rec's Ron Swanson, and so on, and so forth.

*cue synchronized dance sequence* #teotfw

A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix) on Jan 18, 2018 at 9:02am PST

I also spent the weekend not doing my laundry, so...

A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix) on Feb 19, 2018 at 7:44am PST

  It’s called a glo up

A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix) on Mar 16, 2018 at 11:08am PDT

at least i’m consistent

A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix) on Apr 12, 2018 at 4:59pm PDT

Netflix even went from publicly obsessing over Cole Sprouse, one of the stars of the popular show Riverdale — which isn't even an original series — to forming an inside joke with followers that the actor is the one who runs the social accounts. It's such an incredibly bizarre bit to keep up that you can't help but enjoy it. But with internet sensations coming and going can the good times keep rolling?

Wow looking forward to all your birthday wishes 🎂 (📸 by @jessicaandclark for @heromag)

A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix) on Aug 4, 2018 at 11:11am PDT

Dear @vanessamorgan thank you for capturing this really beautiful photo of me I mean Cole

A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix) on Jul 21, 2018 at 3:39pm PDT

Is this how reverse psychology works?

A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix) on Jul 13, 2018 at 7:42am PDT

Can Netflix keep up the meme momentum?

Netflix's contemporary meme tactic works so damn well because it doesn't just allow people to participate in online trends, it gives them yet another way to obsess over their favorite parts of pop culture.

If memes are good and streaming is good, then memes + streaming = GREAT. It's a pretty foolproof formula for success, and followers seem to appreciate the efforts.

Netflix on instagram is a meme account I tell ya pic.twitter.com/4QAFdEYP26

— Jam (@jamconcel) August 13, 2018

Why is the Netflix account actually a high brow meme account https://t.co/XAe945yqSz

— Gay Nature Boy 🌹 (@WakobJaters) May 20, 2018

things i wish i didn't hear in a bar: "the netflix twitter account actually posts some pretty good memes!"

— Pete Sos (@churrs27) May 11, 2018

But while there's been a fair share of love for Netflix: The Meme Account, there are definitely some people who think the streaming service's social channels have gone a bit off the rails. 

I’m pretty sure Netflix’s twitter account is run by an exhausted intern who lives for the memes at this point. https://t.co/aqFfuVpTbV

— Alex Verret (@Kalexandverret) January 4, 2018

so now that the netflix account is doing the political compass memes, can we retire them

— beema (@djbeema) February 20, 2018

Why are Netflix being a weird “meme” Instagram account https://t.co/p9qt4GqZ5B

— Scott (@Barxoe) April 9, 2018

In the haters' defense, sometimes when Netflix gets excited about something — like adding Princess Diaries to its streaming library, for example — the social team has a tendency to be a biiiiiiiit excessive. (Like four variations of the same meme in one day kind of excessive.)

Netflix, SHUT UP!

Image: screengrab/netflix

But provided the personalities behind Netflix's social channels can remain on the right side of the very fine line between peak hilarity and overkill, they should continue to remain one of the very few successful brand accounts.

In addition to social accounts for different locations that offer Netflix outside the U.S., and original series/movies, the streaming platform has a Facebook page for those looking for a bit less whimsy in their lives, and a bunch of other offshoot Twitter accounts (listed below) that all know their audiences and are rising in popularity.

@seewhatsnext: For all Netflix-related news updates.

@NXOnNetflix: Focused on the "super, sci-fi, the fantastic, and beyond."

@strongblacklead: An account led by a group of black executives at Netflix that's dedicated to discussing diverse shows, talent, and more.

@NetflixIsAJoke: The place for all things comedy.

@NetflixFilm: All about the movies.

Overall, Netflix appears to have found its social media niche and as long they keep delivering smart, creative content followers are likely to happily continue watching.

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