If You’d Invested $100 in Netflix 5 Years Ago, Here’s How Much You’d Have Today

When it comes to the streaming industry, there might be no business that commands more attention among investors than Netflix (NFLX +1.28%). The innovator deserves credit for spearheading the changing media landscape to huge success. But did that huge success translate into successful returns for investors?

If you’d invested $100 in this streaming stock five years ago, here’s how much you’d have today.

Image source: Netflix.

Netflix is not the lead role

In the past five years, the S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.05%) put up a total return of 91% (as of Feb. 11). That gain is well ahead of what Netflix achieved, which is a 45.1% return. This means that had you invested $100 in the company’s shares, you would have just $145.87 today. This underperformance might come as a revelation to many investors.

By zooming out, though, we see a better image. The stock is up 830% in the past decade.

Today’s Change

(1.28%) $0.97

Current Price

$76.83

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$325B

Day’s Range

$75.54 – $77.17

52wk Range

$75.23 – $134.12

Volume

7.8K

Avg Vol

47M

Gross Margin

48.59%

The market’s dissatisfaction is on full display

Netflix shares are trading 38.6% below their peak from June last year. The stock dropped after Q3 2025 earnings came in below expectations due to a tax dispute in Brazil.

Besides that, shares have been facing downward pressure following the announcement to acquire certain assets of Warner Bros. Discovery at an enterprise value of $82.7 billion. The market probably isn’t pleased with the amount of debt Netflix will need to take on to complete the deal.