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Ever since Netflix began its original programming withHouse of Cards, the streaming giant has graduated from being a budding network to one of the key players in the ecosystem. Several series likeSquid Game, Stranger Things,andMoney Heisthave received incredible acclaim from across the world.
Netflix has clocked in watch hours in the billion with many of its original shows. The streaming platform has been pushing out originals for the past decade and has given some truly iconic and binge-able shows. Here are the top ten most-watched shows on Netflix.
10The Witcher– Season 1
Based on Swedish author Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy novels and the game by CD Projekt Red,The Witcherseemed to be Netflix’s answer toGame of Thrones. While the series leaned more into the fantasy realm than inGOT’s political world, the Henry Cavill-starrer gained quite a lot of fans because of his performance and the legacy of the games.
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The show reportedly garnered 541 million hours of watch time within the first 28 days of release in 2019. It was the most-watched series until the release of subsequent original shows on Netflix. Seasons 2 and 3 were released soon after, but the viewership reportedly decreased, with season 3 seeing a 30% drop (viaIGN).
9All of Us Are Dead– Season 1
The South Korean takeover of Netflix may have begun with the K-Dramas andSquid Game, but it definitely reached its peak withAll of Us Are Dead. The zombie thriller became a global phenomenon for its genre-storytelling and violence, with many critics and fans showering the series with praise. Netflix renewed the series for a second season which is expected to release in 2026.
The first season ofAll of Us Are Deadreportedly garnered an incredible 560 million hours of watch time within the first 28 days of release. The show still remains one of the most-watched non-English shows on Netflix with 55.5 million views (viaNetflix).
8Lucifer– Season 5
After being canceled by its home network Fox after three seasons, a rigorous fan campaign gotLuciferto Netflix. The streaming giant began its deal with the devil from season 4 of the series. The fifth season, however, was among one of the most-watched shows for the streaming giant with a whopping 569 million hours of watch time within 28 days.
7Stranger Things– Season 3
The third season of the supernatural coming-of-age seriesStranger Thingsexplored many important themes such as friendship, changing relationships, and even the Cold War. The show followed the Hawkins gang exploring the deep state secrets of the newly constructed Starcourt Mall and how it connects to the Hawkins lab and its experiments with the Upside Down.
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Apart from the regular cast, the season also introduced Maya Hawke as Robin, who stole the show.Stranger Thingshas been one of the most successful originals from Netflix and its third season reportedly clocked in 582.1 million hours of watch time within the first 28 days of release and garnered 94.8 million views (viaNetflix). All episodes were released together back in 2019.
6Money Heist– Part 4
The legendary Spanish heist dramaMoney Heist,orLa Casa de Papel,was intended to be a two-part limited series. After its run on Antena 3 and Netflix’s acquisition of the global rights, its success reportedly led to the streamer commissioning more parts that followed the gang as they began to execute yet another heist led by the Professor.
Money Heistbecame a global phenomenon and had a significant pop cultural impact after it was retooled for its international release through Netflix. The show hit insane viewership with Part 4, garnering 619 million hours of watch time within 28 days. Its all-time views clocked in at 106 million (viaNetflix).
5Bridgerton– Seasons 3, 2, and 1
The historical romance dramaBridgertonbecame an instant fan-favorite for many reasons. Combining high-class royalty with romance in an alternative society was a genius blend that owed itself incredible storylines that appealed to a whole new generation. The first season reportedly quickly became Netflix’s most-watched series until 2021 (viaDeadline).
With subsequent seasons, the viewership dramatically increased, with season 3 garnering a reported 786.1 million hours of watch time within 28 days of release. Season 1 is still reportedly ranked among the most-watched series on Netflix, with 113.3 million all-time views (viaNetflix).
4Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story– Season 1
The serial killer seriesDahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Storycourted much controversy due to its depiction of violence and treatment of the true crime. Evan Peters won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Limited Series for his harrowing depiction of real-life serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.
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The show was as sensational accompanied by its fair share of criticism since the show remained on Netflix’s Top 10 of the Week for several weeks. The series reportedly garnered 856.2 million hours of watch time within the first 28 days making it one of the most-watched series on Netflix.
3Wednesday– Season 1
Tim Burton’s take onThe Addams Familyfocused on the oddball daughter Wednesday Addams. Everyone remembers the Wednesday Dance and the viral memes but the show itself became one of Netflix’s most-watched series. The Jenna Ortega starrer crossed more than a billion watch hours within 28 days of release and became the second-highest English-language series.
2Stranger Things– Season 4
One of Netflix’s first original series has to be its most valuable. The supernatural thrillerStranger Thingsalready made an appearance on the list but it is season 4 with its viralRunning up that Hillmoment that made that season one of the show’s best. The gang battled Vecna, the demon, and explored Eleven’s horrid past in more detail.
The fourth season was released in multiple parts and reportedly became the second Netflix series ever to cross the 1 billion watch hours threshold (viaVariety). It became the most-watched English-language series with a cumulative 1.352 billion hours of watch time within 28 days of release. Other seasons also reportedly got into the top 10 list because of season 4.
1Squid Game– Season 1
The spot for the most popular TV show on Netflix remains withSquid Game. The South Korean action series became a surprising global sensation. Based on the eponymous childhood game, the series centered around a competition that increasingly becomes dangerous as the levels go. The series was lauded for its commentary and performances.
Squid Gamebecame the most-watched series on Netflix with 1.65 billion hours of watch time within 28 days of release. The show was at the top of Netflix’s list even after they changed their viewership metrics in 2021. The series received a second season which was released recently to positive reviews.
Nishanth A
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2415
Nishanth A is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows with over 2,000 articles published. He has been an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a scriptwriter at various corporations before that, working on educational content. With a Communications, English Literature, and Psychology triple major, Nishanth usually covers news and analyses on Star Trek, particularly Strange New Worlds and The Next Generation; Doctor Who, the DCU, and more.A Nolan fan, Nishanth spends his time exploring the filmographies of various directors with an auteurial style or can be found making short movies of his own. He has also contributed as a feature writer for Film Companion, focusing on the South division.
