The 10 Most-Viewed Netflix Shows of All Time

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Netflix usually doesn’t share exact viewership numbers or a clear ranking of its shows based on how many times they’ve been streamed or watched. However, some data does give us a good idea of which shows are the most popular. For example, Netflix’s own website, Tudum, lists the top shows based on views within the first 91 days after release. Websites like WhatsonNetflix.com also collect information on total views and hours watched. When a show has multiple seasons, we’ve combined all the seasons into one entry for ranking purposes.

‘Lupin’ (2021–)


Netflix

It’s impressive that Lupin made the list considering it’s not an English-language show. According to Bloomberg, 76 million households tuned in during its first month. In 2021, it became the most popular non-English series on the streaming platform. The show features Omar Sy as Assane Diop, a skilled thief seeking revenge for his father’s death. The character is inspired by Arsène Lupin, a famous master thief created by author Maurice Leblanc in the early 1900s.

According to WhatsonNetflix.com, the first part of Lupin was watched for a total of 396.3 million hours and seen by 99.5 million viewers. As of the latest data, and considering it remains in the top ten most-watched shows, Lupin continues to be one of Netflix’s biggest hits.

‘The Night Agent’, Season 1 (2023–)


Netflix

Netflix’s hit action thriller, The Night Agent, is gearing up for its third season in late February 2026, and there’s already talk of a fourth! The show, which unexpectedly became popular with viewers, delivers fast-paced action and political twists. It follows Peter Sutherland, a young FBI agent played by Gabriel Basso, who gets caught up in a large-scale conspiracy while working a low-level government job.

As a huge Netflix watcher, I’ve been following the success of The Night Agent, and the numbers are incredible! Season 1 alone racked up 98.2 million views in its first 91 days – that’s a lot of people tuning in! WhatsonNetflix.com says that translates to over 803 million hours watched by November 2021. And Season 2 started strong with 13.9 million views in just its first four days, according to Variety. Plus, the new season actually brought even more people back to watch the first one! It’s clear to me that The Night Agent is still one of Netflix’s biggest hits – a real crowd-pleaser.

‘Bridgerton’, Season 3, 1 (2020–)


Netflix

After four successful seasons, Bridgerton is the newest show from Shonda Rhimes to become a huge hit on Netflix. This historical romance, set in an alternate Regency era, captivated viewers with its passionate scenes as the aristocratic Bridgerton siblings navigated London’s competitive social scene and searched for love among the eligible bachelors. And they certainly found it!

According to Netflix, the first and third seasons were the most popular. Season 1 drew 113.3 million viewers in its first 91 days, and Season 3 wasn’t far behind with 106 million. That first season totaled 929.3 million hours of watch time, according to WhatsonNetflix.com. The show remains popular even now.

‘Money Heist’, Part 4 (2017–2021)


Netflix

The Spanish-language series Money Heist centers around two ambitious bank robberies – one at the Royal Mint of Spain and another at the Bank of Spain. The story is told in a unique, real-time format, following the perspective of a robber named Tokyo (played by Úrsula Corberó). Part 4 of the show, released on Netflix in 2020 during the pandemic, became a huge hit, reaching 106 million viewers and totaling 710.2 million hours of watch time – solidifying its place among the top 10 most popular series.

Originally planned as a short, two-part story, Money Heist was restructured into 22 brief episodes after Netflix obtained the rights to stream it worldwide. The show proved incredibly popular, leading to a third and fourth part, with the fourth part consisting of only eight episodes. A fifth season was released in December 2021, but many felt the show peaked creatively and in terms of audience numbers with Part 4.

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)


Netflix

The limited series The Queen’s Gambit became a hit thanks to its compelling story and the talented Anya Taylor-Joy in the lead role, but also because it arrived at the perfect time. During the pandemic, many people were stuck at home and looking for shows to watch, and this coming-of-age drama filled that need. It follows Beth Harmon (Taylor-Joy), a gifted young chess player who overcomes a difficult childhood and battles addiction as she rises through the ranks of a male-dominated sport.

I was absolutely blown away by the numbers for this show! Netflix reported over 112 million views in just the first three months, which translated to an incredible 746 million hours watched. But it wasn’t just popular – it was critically acclaimed, winning 11 Emmys! What really impressed me, though, was that even professional chess players praised how realistically it portrayed the game, and it actually got a lot of people interested in learning chess again. It was a truly remarkable series.

‘Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’ (2022)


Netflix

Ryan Murphy’s newest series, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, has received a varied response from viewers. The show explores the life and disturbing crimes of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, portrayed by Evan Peters. Niecy Nash delivers a particularly strong performance as Dahmer’s neighbor, Glenda, and Richard Jenkins powerfully portrays his father, Lionel.

Regardless of whether viewers enjoyed Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, it was incredibly popular. In its first three months, the show racked up 115.6 million views, totaling over 1.031 billion hours watched. According to Forbes, it quickly became Netflix’s second most-watched English-language series, surpassed only by Stranger Things.

‘Stranger Things’, Season 4, 5 (2016–2025)


Netflix

Everyone was buzzing about the fifth and final season of Stranger Things as the year went on, particularly after the first part of the ending arrived in November 2025. The show, a blend of horror, science fiction, mystery, and coming-of-age themes, has captivated audiences young and old with its story of kids facing scary events in their town and a terrifying parallel dimension called the Upside Down. Big breaks between seasons, combined with major reveals in Season 4 – like the introduction of Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) and the fan-favorite character Eddie (Joseph Quinn) – really raised the stakes for the show’s final chapters.

Although Season 4 received 140.7 million views compared to Season 5’s 123.8 million, Season 5 is expected to ultimately surpass it in popularity. The final part of Season 5 was released on New Year’s Eve, and with a 91-day evaluation period, it’s likely to exceed Season 4’s viewership. With 1.838 billion hours viewed for Season 4 and 1.249 billion for Season 5, the show clearly attracted a massive audience and was a key program for Netflix.

‘Adolescence’ (2025)


Image via Netflix

Netflix’s new series, Adolescence, is a gripping, though often unsettling, drama that tackles a relevant issue: the effects of bullying and social media on young people. The show centers around Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy accused of murder, and features a standout performance by Owen Cooper. As the story progresses, it explores not only Jamie’s troubled state of mind and the mystery of what happened, but also the emotional toll the situation takes on his family.

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The series Adolescence quickly became a hit on Netflix, racking up 142.6 million views and 546.5 million hours watched within its first three months. While the total viewing time isn’t as high as some other shows – it only has four episodes and isn’t designed for repeat viewings – Adolescence has become a widely discussed program, and many are recommending it to parents of teenagers as a show with important lessons.

‘Wednesday’, Season 1, 2 (2022–)


Netflix

I’ve always loved The Addams Family, and I was so excited to see Wednesday come to life! It’s a fresh take on the classic character, really geared towards our generation. Jenna Ortega is incredible – she totally embodies that dark, deadpan Wednesday we all know and love, and shows what it’s like to be a teen who doesn’t try to be like everyone else. Honestly, it’s a really unique and captivating coming-of-age story.

Wednesday is a hit with older kids and teens! The first season broke records with 252.1 million views, and even though the second season wasn’t quite as popular, it still attracted 119.3 million viewers. Viewers watched a total of 1.72 billion hours of Season 1 and 927.7 million hours of Season 2 – amazing numbers that quickly made the show one of the most popular on the platform.

‘Squid Game’, Season 1, 2, 3 (2021–2025)


Netflix

It’s amazing to realize that Netflix’s most popular show isn’t originally in English! Squid Game, available in Korean with subtitles or dubbing, took viewers by surprise with its disturbing concept. The show centers around a dangerous game created by a mysterious figure, where desperate people compete in twisted versions of classic children’s games for a chance to win nearly $40 million. However, losing means certain death. Players are also forced to make terrible choices that lead to the deaths of others, all driven by a desire to survive and their own greed. This thrilling and unsettling drama is not just captivating entertainment; it’s also a pointed critique of capitalism and the dangers of unchecked ambition.

All three seasons of Squid Game performed exceptionally well in their first 91 days. Season 1 led with 265.2 million views and 2.2052 billion hours watched. Season 2 saw 192.6 million views and 1.3801 billion hours, and Season 3 achieved new records with 145.8 million views and 894.3 million hours. While each season has seen a slight decrease in numbers, Squid Game is likely to stay at the top of the charts for a long time, even as other shows gain popularity.



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2026-02-06 01:21