Netflix has established its value as one of the first and most well-known online entertainment streaming services with a wide variety of well-known TV shows. Many exciting new shows and films were announced during Netflix Geeked Week. The platform has been able to attract an audience that is continuously expanding with the recent release of Stranger Things 4.
Some Netflix shows are more popular than others and range from action to suspense to romance to horror. With billions of hours watched in their first 28 days on the platform, a variety of shows like Bridgerton, Stranger Things, and Squid Game are among Netflix’s most popular English and non-English series (per Netflix).
10. Ozark (Season 4) – 491 Million Hours
Following an exciting third season, Ozark made a triumphant comeback. Many loose ends were resolved in the fourth and final season, and many viewers were happy with the resolution it provided. Ozark avoided the fade-out that so many TV shows do, perhaps because it was in the shadow of other fantastic shows.
Even though it was split into two parts and broadcast over the course of four months, the final season had emotional moments, ups, and downs that kept viewers interested. The final season became a must-watch for millions because of its consistency from beginning to end.
09. 13 Reasons Why (Season 2) – 496 Million Hours
A new book-to-TV series began trending in 2017 and gained unexpected popularity, especially during its first season. The series was able to break records for Netflix when it made a huge comeback. People renewed their Netflix memberships after watching 13 Reasons Why, eagerly anticipating the second season’s mystery and drama.
The second season of the show only saw an increase in viewers and looked promising going forward, possibly as a result of its ability to capture the teen experience. The show had a huge run at the right time, even though it may have declined and ultimately was canceled after four seasons.
08. Inventing Anna (Season 1) – 511 Million Hours
Based on a real-life event, a new Netflix series is poised for success. Investigating the alleged German heiress Anna Delvey is the focus of the documentary Inventing Anna, which follows journalist Vivian Kent. The drama-mystery genre of television is still strong and as engrossing as ever, as evidenced by the one season of Inventing Anna.
Inventing Anna, which has received more than 500,000 hours of viewings, has a lot of potential for bringing the gripping tale to television. The show’s status as a limited series makes it unclear whether it will be prolonged in any way. But it’s still worthwhile to watch the nine-part series.
07. The Witcher (Season 1) – 541 Million Hours
Henry Cavill plays the title character in The Witcher, one of the best fantasy TV shows to date. Although the television series doesn’t exactly follow the course of the video game series it is based on, it still features action and violence similar to those found in the games.
Because of how well the first season performed, this season is still growing. It had already been renewed for a third season prior to the start of season 2 in early 2022. Due to its captivating plot, thrilling action, and excellent acting, it has established itself as one of the best TV shows to binge watch.
06. All of Us Are Dead (Season 1) – 560 Million Hours
The non-English TV show All of Us Are Dead is one of the few to achieve such coveted ratings. The show is set during a zombie apocalypse in a high school in South Korea. The drama is tense, dramatic, and frequently heroic.
Regarding viewership, All of Us Are Dead is an incredible addition to the half-million club. The cast reportedly revealed that it had been renewed for a second season during Netflix Geeked Week, according to Entertainment Weekly. The new season will probably experience greater success as it establishes its own reputation and follows outstanding young characters as they negotiate a high school experience that is more risky than most.
05. Lucifer (Season 5) – 569 Million Hours
Lucifer is one show that has managed to maintain its popularity over time. Many shows lose quality as they progress, which can lead to viewers losing interest, but Lucifer actually had the most viewers with its fifth season out of six, clocking 569 million hours watched.
As if breaking records for Netflix wasn’t enough, it also surpassed Squid Game as the most-watched show of the year in 2021. It may not be as new as some Netflix originals, but it has proven that it is here to stay.
04. Stranger Things 3 – 582 Million Hours
Stranger Things, one of Netflix’s defining original series, has returned for its fourth season out of five. Stranger Things 3 captured the Hawkins children and the Upside Down in the summer of the 1980s in 2019.
Stranger Things 4 has answered many burning questions that have arisen since the third season. Stranger Things’ appeal remains, and the show has the potential to outperform every Netflix top ten in its first 28 days.
03. Bridgerton (Season 2) – 656 Million Hours
The long-awaited second season of Bridgerton premiered in March 2022. The show’s twists and turns helped it become one of the only Netflix shows with more than 600 million hours of viewing time. The British regal drama continued its examination of high society and sibling rivalry with a flair that drew the attention of millions.
It did so well that it was renewed for a third and fourth season, according to Deadline, and it could very well break its own viewership records in the future.
02. Money Heist (Part 5) – 792 Million Hours
Money Heist is a fascinating and thrilling non-English TV series that has only gotten better with time. The fifth season of the show premiered in late 2021 and broke Netflix viewership records, with nearly 800 million hours watched in its first month.
The show’s dramatization of the Spanish economy, combined with its fresh take on the typical “heist” trope, results in a phenomenal series worth watching multiple times.
01. Squid Game (Season 1) – 1.6 Billion Hours
Squid Game, in an unexpected turn of events, became the most intriguing spectacle of 2021. Over one billion hours have been watched in this Saw meets Hunger Games-style drama. It was as difficult to avoid the show as it was to carve a shape into a yellow wafer with a needle.
Many of the most-watched shows are separated by a few million views, but Squid Game set out to completely demolish the competition – and become Netflix’s most-streamed show of all time. Not only is the show thoroughly gripping and enjoyable, but its creation and achievement is an inspiring underdog story that has taken a long time to develop.