The number one most-watched show on Netflix by total hours viewed all-time is Stranger Things, with Squid Game holding the top spot for initial viewership in its debut, while recent data shows shows like Wednesday and KPop Demon Hunters (movie) dominate current lists. Metrics vary (total hours vs. views/season), but Stranger Things consistently ranks high across different categories, often topping all-time charts for series.
As of late December 2025, Netflix's #1 show varies by region and metric, but globally, recent hits include Man Vs Baby: Season 1 and Emily in Paris: Season 5, while Stranger Things remains a massive all-time favorite, often topping charts or appearing in the top 10, alongside recent hits like Sean Combs: The Reckoning.
The Most Watched Netflix Shows
Top 10 Movies overview
Fast forward to August 2025: "KPop Demon Hunters" has become Netflix's most-watched movie ever with over 236 million views. Four songs from its soundtrack are simultaneously in the Billboard Hot 100's top 10 — something that's literally never happened in the chart's 67-year history.
The Most Watched Netflix Films
As of January 10-11, 2026, the #1 show on Netflix globally is the new murder mystery series His & Hers, which quickly rose to the top, while in the US, the latest season of Stranger Things and the limited series Run Away are dominating the TV charts, and Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story is the top movie.
Top 10 Shows overview
While no Netflix original series consistently holds a universal 9.5 IMDb rating (that score often belongs to shows like Breaking Bad or Game of Thrones on IMDb), highly acclaimed Netflix series often cited with near-perfect scores include Arcane, Mindhunter, Black Mirror, The Queen's Gambit, Stranger Things, and The Crown, with excellent user reviews and high rankings.
There's no single "No. 1" series as it depends on the metric (ratings, cultural impact, current streaming), but Game of Thrones often ranks as an all-time favorite for global cultural impact, while Breaking Bad and The Sopranos frequently top critics' lists for quality, and Stranger Things (or recently, His & Hers) leads current streaming charts like Netflix's global top 10.
The 25 best Netflix original series of all time, from Squid Game to Stranger Things
Top 100 most watched tv shows of all time
The #1 TV show right now depends on the platform, but Stranger Things is a dominant force across many lists (IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Netflix), often followed closely by new hits like Fallout, Heated Rivalry, and recent Netflix releases like Run Away and Land of Sin, showing streaming's current popularity focus.
Top 10 Most Popular Shows
1. Game of Thrones. Nine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.
The Top 10 TV Shows and Top 10 Movies are lists that appear on the Netflix home screen, and update every day with the most popular titles on Netflix. If available in your region, Top 10 lists will automatically appear on your device with the most watched shows in your country.
Most-watched broadcasts of all time
Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, was the site of Super Bowl LIX, the most-watched broadcast in American television history. The Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969, is reported to have been watched by 125–150 million people.
Netflix series came up big at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards. Taking place at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, Netflix's Adolescence dominated the awards with a whopping 8 wins. Having secured a total of about 120 nominations against 44 titles, Netflix won a total of 30 awards.
1. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Right now, Netflix's popular series include the latest season of Stranger Things (Season 5), the buzzworthy crime docuseries Sean Combs: The Reckoning, reality hits like Emily in Paris (Season 5), and acclaimed dramas such as The Diplomat, while viewer favorites and all-time greats like Squid Game, Wednesday, The Crown, and Bridgerton remain highly-watched. For critically acclaimed options, consider The Beast in Me, The Lincoln Lawyer, or international hits like Lupin, depending on your genre preference, notes Rotten Tomatoes, Netflix and Netflix.
"Parasite," "Ghost," "Phantom Thread," "Moulin Rouge!" and so much more.