Top 10 Most Watched Netflix Shows Ever

Yes, this fantasy crime drama began on Fox, but it gained mainstream appeal after Netflix began streaming its fourth season. Set in modern times, it follows the titular devil as he solves crimes with Detective Chloe Decker. The pair’s “will they?/won’t they?” chemistry is its main hook, which paid off during its Netflix run. The fifth season easily represents the series’ peak. The show was viewed more than 569 hours after season 5’s release. This surge presumably helped lead to a previously unannounced sixth season, stretching out the story to justify the #SaveLucifer campaign that first rescued it from cancellation. These additional episodes helped close out Lucifer and Chloe’s arc, as fans got the heartwarming finale they wanted.

It might’ve been hard to believe that a show based on chess could become wildly popular. But glowing reviews, eye-catching aesthetics, and Anya Taylor-Joy’s marvelous work proved it can happen. “The Queen’s Gambit” is about chess prodigy Beth Harmon’s ascension as she deals with substance use disorder and grapples with success. The show experienced significant hype thanks to its effective storytelling and Taylor-Joy’s star appeal. Indeed, soon after its release, it was viewed by 62 million households. Given its status as a miniseries, the scale of its success is even more impressive. Simultaneous praise from critics also worked in its favor, winning “The Queen’s Gambit” multiple Emmy awards while dominating the streaming landscape.

Another unexpected hit, this zombie horror was the first of Netflix’s biggest successes in 2022. Primarily taking place at a high school, it centers around students looking to survive a sudden zombie outbreak. “All of Us Are Dead” goes beyond the standard tropes of the genre, delivering nuanced characters who develop significantly through the course of the story. This multi-dimensional quality allowed the series to reach a wide audience and become a worldwide sensation. It was reportedly watched for more than 560 million hours within the first month, and Netflix unsurprisingly greenlit a second season. With an ensemble cast and an entire world to explore, the series is well-placed to go even bigger the second time around.

Based on the book of the same name, “The Night Agent” is an action thriller about a political conspiracy. FBI Agent Peter Sutherland uncovers a plot that runs deep into the White House, putting him on the course to capture the traitor. While “The Night Agent”’s premise isn’t revolutionary, its fast-paced style and throwback to classic action films works wonders. The series recorded more than 600 million hours of views within four weeks of its release – this later ballooned to more than 800 million hours within months. Such incredible numbers didn’t go unnoticed, and Netflix ordered a second season roughly a week after the premiere. With a tried-and-tested template to rely on, fans can expect more thrills to come.

Shows like “Downton Abbey” proved that period dramas have dedicated fanbases. But “Bridgerton” took it to the next level, drawing big numbers from the get-go. It’s about the lives of the titular family and surrounding ones in London’s Regency era. It banks heavily on onscreen power couples, with stories revolving around particular pairings in each season. The show’s format has connected with viewers and then some – the first season bagged more than 625 million hours viewed, while the second totaled over 650 million. Oh, and those numbers only reflect the first 4 weeks. It might not always be historically accurate, but “Bridgerton”’s popularity has sparked interest in historical aristocracy. This was confirmed when its spin-off “Queen Charlotte,” was released to similar success.

Netflix has provided a much-needed spotlight to underrated gems, with “Money Heist” arguably the biggest example. Originally broadcast on the Spanish network Antena 3, it took the world by storm upon its Netflix debut. It dives into high-stakes heists of a team helmed by “the Professor.” These elaborate robberies vary in difficulty, as the characters dig themselves into deeper trouble. “Money Heist”’s creative storytelling techniques and stylish presentation make it stand out among Netflix’s sprawling collection. The show caught more than a few eyes, with the audience count each season standing as proof. Its final season achieved a viewership of over 790 million hours within a month’s release. Suffice it to say, there were few – if any – bigger Netflix shows than “Money Heist” during its run.

They say that there’s no such thing as bad publicity, and it’s seemingly true in this show’s case. Audiences tuned in to see this take on the twisted mind of murderer Jeffrey Dahmer. It was riddled with controversies upon its premiere, with accusations of glamorizing Dahmer’s crimes. However, this didn’t affect Netflix viewership in a significant way, as “Dahmer” scored over a whopping billion views within two months. Despite mixed reviews, ratings were steady. Award season recognition offered further publicity, with its lead cast and the show itself notably nominated at the Emmys. As an anthology, “Monster” is expected to focus on famous criminals each season, so more grisly tales are expected in the future.

“The Addams Family” has always been one of the most successful franchises for young viewers. Still, a show based on Wednesday Addams might not have been as popular without Jenna Ortega leading from the front. The actress commanded every scene, which, combined with everyone else’s stellar performances, surely helped the show reach its stratospheric view count. Within a month of its premiere, it amassed over 1.2 billion hours from at least 150 million households. Just about every aspect has become iconic, from Ortega’s deadpan line deliveries to the dance scene that’s taken on a life of its own. As far as shows headlined primarily by solo characters go, “Wednesday” is far above the rest.

Without a doubt, this series helped solidify Netflix as the streaming giant it is today. The “Stranger Things” craze is a phenomenon that hasn’t dissipated in the slightest. The dark sci-fi drama depicts the town of Hawkins under threat from an ‘alternate dimension’. Much like its young cast, many fans have grown with the series and connected with its coming-of-age outline. “Stranger Things” dominates the charts each time new episodes roll out, despite the long gaps between seasons. The third season claimed Netflix’s viewing record with 64 million households watching over 582 million hours within a month. However, this pales in comparison to the fourth season’s reach of over 1.35 billion hours, as fans worldwide were glued to their screens.

Centering around a deadly contest, this survival thriller keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The variety of games offer smart subtext about the dangers of economic inequity and situations that bring the worst out of people. While it can be chilling in places, “Squid Game” proved too gripping to resist. Four weeks after its release, the show obliterated records to reach more than 1.65 billion hours viewed from 142 million households. Years later, it’s still hard to describe the “Squid Game” effect. Its impact can be felt in everything from merchandise to cosplays, and a successful reality series based on the concept. Topping charts in as many as 94 countries, this is one show that arguably brought the world together.