Benard Marr & Co

Media trends that will Redefine entertainment In 2026

6th January 2026

7 min.

VFX & CGI: PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF IMAGINATION

Visual effects (VFX) and computer-generated imagery (CGI) have transformed what’s possible in modern advertising. Using these advanced tools, you can create impossible worlds, showcase a product’s features in visually stunning ways, or blend fantasy with reality to capture the audience’s imagination. Consider an eco-friendly campaign that uses CGI to illustrate the transformation of natural materials into finished packaging—a subtle yet powerful storytelling technique. While these enhancements can be dramatic, it’s essential to balance visual intrigue with realism, so the message remains authentic and believable. Elite post-production artists know how to combine VFX and CGI effectively, adding excitement without compromising credibility.

IMAGE: Rescue Dogs

Color: The Factory Collective

7. Small-Screen Storytelling

Video content consumption is now predominantly mobile, with research finding that 60 percent of stream viewing happens on phones and tablets. Content providers are increasingly optimizing for this format, reshaping storytelling to fit audience habits. Netflix’s Fast Laughs takes cues from the short-format video found on YouTube and TikTok, redefining how shows are cut, paced, and consumed. At the same time, platforms are offering micro-dramas designed to be watched in one-minute to 90-second bursts, in a vertical format, mixing the snackable content of TikTok with professional production values.

From AI-generated video and movie stars to immersive sports and mobile-first storytelling, the entertainment industry continues to act as a showcase for technological innovation. Will AI lead to a new wave of creativity and artistry as the technical and financial barriers to creativity crumble? Or will real, human-centric content become rare as media companies increasingly lean on machines to do creative work? Time will tell, but 2026 marks the moment the industry steps into an entirely new world.

Benard Marr & Co