TikTok-Like Microdramas Are Going To Make Billions This Year, Even Though They Kind Of Suck

Microdramas are projected to generate billions in 2026. Discover why these addictive, TikTok-style shows are dominating mobile entertainment.
Matilda
TikTok-Like Microdramas Are Going To Make Billions This Year, Even Though They Kind Of Suck
Microdramas Are Raking in Billions—Here’s Why They’re Exploding in 2026 Forget prestige TV. The real money in 2026 isn’t being made by Emmy-winning dramas—it’s pouring into bite-sized, hyper-dramatic “microdramas” that run just 60 seconds per episode. These fast-paced, often melodramatic mini-shows are generating billions in revenue, despite (or perhaps because of) their campy dialogue, exaggerated acting, and plot twists that defy logic. If you’ve ever scrolled past a video where a billionaire CEO slaps his long-lost wife in a hospital hallway—only to realize she’s carrying his secret twins—you’ve encountered the microdrama phenomenon. And it’s growing faster than almost any other digital entertainment format today. Credit: The Good Brigade/ Getty Images What Exactly Are Microdramas? Microdramas are serialized video stories delivered in ultra-short episodes, typically between 30 seconds and two minutes long. Designed for vertical viewing on smartphones, they mimic the visual language of …