If you've ever wondered whether stocks have favorite months, Netflix Inc. (NFLX) has an answer: apparently yes, and it's January.

Over the past two decades, Netflix shares have climbed an average of 14.7% during the year's opening month. Even more impressive, the stock has finished January in the green 71% of the time. That's not just a nice run—it's a pattern that meaningfully outpaces both the broader S&P 500 and most large-cap technology stocks over the same stretch.

The Numbers Tell a Compelling Story

Looking back to 2005, the consistency stands out. Sure, there have been painful exceptions—2022's 29.1% January decline during the growth stock selloff comes to mind—but the upside years have been both frequent and explosive.

Consider some of the highlight performances: Netflix surged 73.5% in January 2012, followed by a stunning 78.5% rally in January 2013. Then came a 40.8% jump in 2018 and a 26.8% gain in 2019. More recently, the streak has continued with a 20% rise in January 2023, 15.9% in 2024, and 9.6% in 2025.

So Why Does January Work So Well?

Part of the answer starts with what happens on your couch. Holiday viewing tends to peak in late December and early January. Families gather, screens glow, and streaming hours climb. Netflix dominates attention during this window.

Then there's earnings timing. The company typically reports fourth-quarter results in mid-to-late January, and historically, those reports have often beaten Wall Street expectations—especially on subscriber growth and engagement metrics.

Not every earnings report sparked a rally. Notable post-earnings declines happened in 2022 and 2019. But here's the key: when Netflix has moved higher after earnings, those gains have generally been larger and more frequent than the downside moves. That asymmetry matters, and it's helped fuel the January edge year after year.

Netflix Q4 Earnings: Reporting Dates and Stock Reaction

What's Next for 2026?

Netflix shares are down nearly 3% so far in 2026. But the seasonal setup remains front and center. The streaming giant is scheduled to report fourth-quarter 2025 results on January 20, after the close, and traders already know the historical playbook.

January gains aren't guaranteed, of course. But if history is any guide, they're about as close to a recurring pattern as you'll find in the market. For two decades, the calendar has often worked in Netflix's favor. Whether that continues is the question—but the data suggests it's worth watching.