Before the pandemic, it was uncommon to see high-profile celebrities taking roles in productions intended for OTT platforms due to a prevailing stigma. However, the surge in demand for streaming content brought about by COVID-19 started to change this perception. In fact, 2020 was a banner year for OTT platforms as numerous big-name celebrities made their digital debuts.

Chris Evans, known worldwide for his portrayal of Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, impressed audiences with a different kind of heroism in “Defending Jacob”. Meanwhile, Oscar-winner Anne Hathaway showed her versatility in the political thriller “The Last Thing He Wanted”.

“Game of Thrones” star Jason Momoa also ventured into the digital space, lending his rugged charm to the visually stunning series “See”. The legendary duo of Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, renowned for their iconic roles in multiple gangster films, teamed up once again in the critically acclaimed “The Irishman”.

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Chris Hemsworth, another Marvel alum, showed his action chops in a different light in the high-octane thriller “Extraction”. Scarlett Johansson, an accomplished actress and yet another member of the Marvel pantheon, delivered a deeply moving performance in “Marriage Story”.

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Comedy heavyweights Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston paired up for the humorous whodunit “Murder Mystery”, showcasing their comedic timing and chemistry. Emma Stone, an Oscar winner herself, mesmerized viewers with her complex character in the psychological drama “Maniac”.

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Even more noteworthy were the digital debuts of other A-list actors like Henry Cavill in “The Witcher”, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston in “The Morning Show”, and Michael Douglas in “The Kominsky Method”. Their successful transitions to OTT platforms illustrate the changing landscape of the entertainment industry and signify the ever-growing appeal and legitimacy of digital content.

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