Meet the “Thinnest Video”: Instagram’s ultra-wide format is the new must-try canvas for creators

Instagram’s latest update has brought the 5120×1080 ultra-wide, or “thinnest video,” aspect ratio into the spotlight—a trend that exploded across global feeds yesterday, heralding a new era of creative storytelling for brands and creators.

The emergence of ultra-wide video

While Instagram traditionally favored vertical-first formats, this trend actually started as a creative hack. The 5120×1080 ratio isn’t officially supported by Instagram. Instead, savvy editors and creators reshaped videos in third-party apps like CapCut, InShot, and Premiere Pro—cropping the top and bottom of landscape footage—to produce a panoramic, widescreen effect that stands apart from typical Reels or Stories. Filmmakers and visual storytellers, inspired by widescreen movies like Dune and Interstellar, are believed to be among the first adopters on mobile screens.

How the trend became mainstream

What began as an experimental video crop gained traction rapidly via brand collaborations and meme pages repurposing content in this ultra-wide format. Netflix, Amazon Prime, KitKat, BMW, and Duolingo have leveraged the trend to reframe iconic scenes and create cinematic, “movie screen” campaigns.

By late September 2025, Instagram feeds flooded with ultra-wide reels—from travel influencers showcasing expansive landscapes, to food brands highlighting slow-motion pours, to political campaigns enhancing messages with cinematic drama. This swift growth from creative hack to platform-wide trend exemplifies Instagram’s vibrant, grassroots creative spirit.

Brand implications and opportunities

For brands, the 5120×1080 format offers a golden opportunity to stand out. Videos framed within this ratio appear cinematic, bold, and modern—setting them apart from conventional vertical Reels. It offers a panoramic storytelling upgrade for timelapses, product reveals, food pours, travel shots, and brand moments. Ultra-wide videos prompt audiences to pause longer, boosting engagement and sharability when executed creatively.

Creators find this both an opportunity and a challenge. Repurposing existing footage or shooting new content for 5120×1080 demands technical skills and imaginative framing. Editing tools such as InShot, CapCut, VN, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Canva are essential for cropping and masking videos before uploading to Instagram Reels. Although Instagram has yet to provide native support, the trend’s viral growth has led third-party apps to offer templates and guides for all skill levels.

Tips to get started

• Shoot in landscape, high-resolution mode for flexibility.

• Use editing apps to crop video to 5120×1080 and mask top/bottom sections.

• Preview your video for proper fit before uploading to Instagram Reels, ensuring the platform doesn’t auto-crop or zoom unexpectedly.

• Pair visuals with bold music, trending sounds, and playful or punchy captions to maximize impact.

• Tag with trending hashtags like #ultrawide or #5120x1080 to ride the algorithm wave and boost discovery.
   

Popular editing solutions include InShot, Premiere Pro, CapCut, VN, and Canva, all capable of handling custom aspect ratios with advanced cropping and positioning features. Once exported, the video can be shared as a Reel, accompanied by concise, arresting captions that reinforce the visual theme.

Real-world examples

Kerala Tourism: Showcased panoramic river views, maximizing scenic impact in a cinematic strip.

Blinkit: They used the format smartly with a campaign titled “Things That Perfectly Fit,” showcasing everyday objects aligned in satisfying, slim cinematic strips.

Amazon Prime Video: Used ultra-wide visuals focusing on movie stills and dramatic close-ups that play well in the panoramic format.

McLaren: Applied the cinematic strip trend for dynamic showcases of their cars on Instagram.

Lifestyle creators: Repurpose old travel and product demo videos for fresh engagement.

Why this trend matters

For creators, the ultra-wide “Thinnest Video” format opens up a fresh canvas to experiment with storytelling, push creative boundaries, and instantly capture attention. For brands and marketers, it’s a chance to tap into this trend early—standing out in feeds, connecting with audiences in more immersive ways, and sparking conversations that can amplify reach and impact. As Instagram’s content landscape keeps evolving, embracing these new video formats will be key for both creators and brands to stay visible, relevant, and engaging.