Instagram has long been the birthplace of global internet culture–whether it’s VSCO girls, photo dumps, GRWM (Get Ready With Me) videos, or the now-classic “Day in My Life” reels. From ChatGPT’s Ghibli-inspired trend that flooded feeds with AI-generated animations to Gemini’s quirky Nano Banana AI moment, every few months a new format takes over.
This September, the spotlight is on the “thinnest video” trend–shot in a striking 5120×1080 ultra-wide cinematic strip.
What exactly is ‘thinnest video’ trend?
Imagine scrolling and suddenly seeing a reel that looks like a sleek panoramic movie strip instead of the usual frame. That’s the trend in action. Creators cut off the top and bottom of normal videos, leaving behind a slim, cinematic bar across the screen. The result? Old footage feels instantly aesthetic, futuristic, and scroll-stopping.
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And it’s not just creators–Netflix India, KitKat, McLaren, BlinkIt, Kerala Tourism, Myntra, BMW Motorrad, Nothing India, Google India, Prime Video, Red Bull US and even the Indian National Congress have hopped on. From witty brand campaigns to political jabs, everyone wants in.
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Instagram ‘thinnest video’ trend: Why is it so viral?
The thinnest video format breaks the visual monotony of reels. It feels fresh, cinematic, and just weird enough to stand out. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile—you can use it to:
Repurpose old travel vlogs into artful clips
Make product ads look like short films
Add a surreal vibe to everyday content
It’s like giving your video a Ghibli-meets-Hollywood treatment without shooting something new.
How to create 5120×1080 ultra-wide instagram reels
If you’re itching to join the trend, here’s the step-by-step:
- Shoot in landscape mode and use the highest resolution possible.
- Import into a third-party editor like InShot, Adobe Premiere Pro, CapCut, VN, or Canva.
- Set your project to 5120×1080 pixels.
- Use the crop/mask tool to slice off the top and bottom of the video, leaving a long slim strip.
- Save and upload to Instagram.
- Double-check in preview mode so Instagram doesn’t auto-crop it.
Pro tip: This format works best with cinematic shots–wide landscapes, cityscapes, or even sports footage.
Also Read: After Ghibli, Gemini’s ‘Nano Banana’ Trend Takes Over Social Media: Here’s how to create your own 3D figurine
Instagram ‘thinnest video trend’: Who’s doing it best?
Kerala Tourism turned their landscapes into ultra-wide postcards with the caption: “God’s Own Country, framed to perfection.”
Netflix India and KitKat leaned into pop culture and humor. Congress even used it for political messaging, posting a Rahul Gandhi reel with the line: “Aa raha hai Hydrogen Bomb jald hi!”
From meme accounts to luxury brands, the ultra-wide cinematic strip is the current Instagram darling. It’s simple enough to DIY, but bold enough to feel premium. And like all viral formats, the earlier you join, the bigger your chance to catch the algorithm’s wave.
So, whether you’re a creator, a brand, or just someone who wants to make their feed look a little cooler–this is your sign to try the thinnest video trend.
