5120x1080 Reels Are Trending on Instagram + How to Use Them forYour Brand
Why Cinematic Wide Videos Are Trending on Instagram Reels (+ How to Use Them for Your Brand)
There’s a new scroll-stopping trend on Instagram that isn’t what you’d expect: wide, cinematic videos.
Instead of the usual full-screen vertical format, creators and small business owners are cropping their videos to a stretched, cinematic frame—often using the 5120x1080 resolution or a similar aspect ratio. Think: black bars on top and bottom, dramatic cityscapes, moody behind-the-scenes moments, or music video vibes. It looks expensive, even if you filmed it in your living room.
This Instagram format trend will make all the experts shocked.
And spoiler: this trend is not just for aesthetic accounts or travel influencers. Brands are jumping in, too.
Let’s break down what this wide video format is, why it’s working despite breaking the rules of vertical-first content, and how you can try it for your own brand (even if you don’t have a video team).
What is the cinematic wide video trend on Instagram?
The "Instagram trend of wide videos" is a cinematic editing style that uses an ultra-wide resolution like 5120x1080, which crops the top and bottom to create a thin-strip-like, letterbox-style video.
It gives content a film-worthy, dramatic feel—like you're watching a trailer for a moody indie movie, not just another Reel.
People are using this with:
Landscape shots (beaches, mountains, rooftops)
Slow-motion product shots or packaging videos
B-roll footage layered with text
The idea is to interrupt the expected scroll of 9:16 vertical Reels with something unexpected, cinematic, and visually intriguing.
You may have heard of this trend as:
cinematic wide video
wide video format
letterbox video trend
horizontal-style Reels
5120x1080 format
Why are wide video Reels trending if Instagram is vertical-first?
Great question. Instagram is optimized for vertical content, so why are people using a format that literally doesn’t fill the screen and makes your content tiny?
We get it. This format goes against all the best practices we learned before, and may make your favorite Instagram coaches cringe. But here’s where strategy comes to play. Because this format is not made to be how you start posting from now on. It should be used strategically to call attention and deliver a message. Exactly because it’s unlikely, unexpected and different.
Yes, telling you to post a tiny strip of content was not in my bingo cards for 2025, but here we are and I think it’s super fun!
Why this trend is happening, and performing so well?
👉 Pattern disruption. When everyone is using the same style, anything different stands out. The black bars and wide frame immediately interrupt the flow.
👉 Cinematic appeal. Wide, horizontal-style Reels feel more polished, creative, and editorial. It’s the difference between selfie mode and storytelling.
👉 Slower pace. These Reels often use slower transitions, music overlays, or more thoughtful captions—which keeps people watching longer.
👉 Viral sound trends. Many of these videos borrow from TikTok’s cinematic audio trends (like moody music or voiceovers), which pair perfectly with this visual style.
So while vertical is still king on Instagram, wide-format videos are leveraging contrast and curiosity to grab attention and stop the scroll. And they are getting a lot more engagement than regular reels right now!
How can small businesses and creators use this trend?
First, let’s get this out of the way: you do not need a drone, a DSLR, or Final Cut Pro to hop on this trend.
You can use Canva. You can use your iPhone. You can repurpose your existing footage or B-roll.
🔥 Here are a few easy ways to use the cinematic wide video trend:
Show off your product in a cinematic way.
Try slow pans, close-up details, or unboxing shots in a letterbox format.
Create behind-the-scenes Reels.
Turn studio time, desk work, or packaging into a short film vibe.
Pair it with voiceover or trending audio.
Use thoughtful or emotional voiceovers ("a day in the life" or business origin stories).
Use wide Canva templates to get the look fast.
If you're not a video editor, this is the easiest way to get the vibe without starting from scratch.
Don’t want to DIY it? Try these wide video Canva templates already inside our membership, Your Template Club
We just dropped a pack of cinematic Instagram Reels templates, named “Ultra Wide Reels” inside Your Template Club made just for this trend.
They’re designed for small businesses and creators who want to:
Stop the scroll with by being different on people’s Instagram feeds and creating disruption
Pair with strong attention-grab hooks or direct messages, already included in the templates in text form, big enough to be read in this tiny format
Look polished and on top of the trends
You get:
👉 10 fully editable Canva templates in the wide (5120x1080) format
👉 Pre-styled text overlays for product promos, storytelling, or testimonials
👉 Designed to crop perfectly into Reels without looking cut off or awkward
If you’ve been wanting to try Reels but hate filming yourself, these horizontal-style templates are your new best friend.
Should you go all-in on this trend?
Nope. Like any trend, this is a fun tool, not a strategy.
But it’s a great way to:
Break up your feed
Test new visuals
Show your creative side
Even one or two wide Reels can create a strong brand vibe shift (and honestly? Your audience will probably DM you to ask how you made it).
TL;DR: What to Know About the Wide Video Format on Instagram
The trend uses cinematic 5120x1080 videos cropped for a letterbox look
It stands out because it breaks the vertical-only mold
Great to promote products and offers, big announcements, share a hot take, grab your audience with a strong hook.
You don’t need fancy gear—Canva + our templates will make you look liuke a pro
👉 Grab 10 done-for-you wide video Canva templates inside Your Template Club to try the trend today
Ready to try it? Grab the templates, post your first cinematic Reel, and see how your audience reacts. (Spoiler: they’ll be impressed.)
Boom!
October 3 is almost here. Get the Free Taylor Swift-inspired “Eras” Canva Templates
These 5 Canva templates are designed to match the aesthetic of Taylor’s most iconic eras—and make it super easy for you to post something timely today.
Whether you’re sharing a personal reaction, a playful business take (“my Reputation era is launching now”), or just want to nod to the moment without overthinking it—these will help you do it beautifully and fast.
Here’s what’s inside:
Lover Template
Romantic pastels, swoopy fonts, and soft gradients. Perfect for celebrating love (Taylor’s or your own).
Reputation Template
Black, bold, and dramatic. Great for a strong opinion post, bold rebrand teaser, or playful “finally embracing my villain era” caption.
1989 Template
Clean, bright, and a little nostalgic. Ideal for testimonials, throwbacks, or “remember when?” content.
Folklore Template
Muted and earthy, with space for storytelling. Use it for thoughtful captions, poetic launches, or quiet reflections.
Midnights Template
Dreamy, moody, and stylish. A go-to for introspective or behind-the-scenes content.
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Get the free templates here → https://yoursocial.team/free-5-eras-canva-templates
Manu Muraro is the founder of Your Social Team, which helps small entrepreneurs grow their business through content marketing, especially email and Instagram.
In 2021 Manu launched Your Template Club, one of the first Canva Template for Instagram subscriptions in the world to provide social media managers and small business owners with content templates designed for engagement.
Manu has also more recebtly started the first Instagram Reels Award Show, The Reelies Awards and an email marketing membership, Your Inbox Team.
Born and raised in Brazil, Manu moved to the U.S. in 2000 right out of college to work for Cartoon Network, where she made an award winning career in creative and strategy.