Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), Natalia Dyer (Nancy), Joe Keery (Steve) and Charlie Heaton (Jonathan) laugh during a scene from Stranger Things. The hit Netflix series blends supernatural drama with nostalgic 1980s storytelling-and economics, at least according to a UBC Okanagan researcher. (Handout photo)
A new study co-authored by UBC Okanagan's Dr. Julien Picault shows how scenes from hit shows like Narcos and Stranger Things can help students grasp complex economic concepts-from cartels and market control to creative destruction and inflation.
Published in The Journal of Economic Education, Teaching economics with Netflix explores how carefully selected Netflix content can help undergraduate students engage with economics in a more meaningful, accessible way.
"Students are already watching this content," says Dr. Picault, Professor of Teaching in the Department of Economics, Philosophy and Political Science . "Our goal is to meet them where they are and use culturally relevant media to explain fundamental concepts like opportunity cost, supply and demand, or moral hazard."
The paper introduces EcoNetflix , a free online resource Dr. Picault and collaborators at Marymount University created.
The site features teaching guides built around diverse clips from Netflix original shows, films, and documentaries from around the world, with clear connections to both introductory and advanced economics concepts.
