The Ultimate Ranking: The Most Epic Netflix TV Shows That Transformed Entertainment Forever

Summary

The biggest Netflix shows have millions of hours viewed, with some breaking the billion-hour mark, proving that viewers are invested in original content.

Netflix's success hinges on the performance of its original releases due to the rising competition from other streaming platforms. The company not only creates its own content but also procures series from various countries, guaranteeing a consistent influx of fresh shows. The popularity of Netflix shows spans across diverse genres and nations.

Bridgerton, Squid Game, Stranger Things

, and more.

Netflix has consistently delivered groundbreaking content since its inception, with several shows amassing hundreds of millions of hours of views. In fact, a few shows have even surpassed the billion-hour mark. Every year, Netflix unveils a plethora of original series, ranging from fresh releases like Wednesday to continuations of fan-favorite shows like Stranger Things and The Witcher. The appeal extends beyond domestic productions, as internationally made Netflix shows have proven that subtitles or dubbed soundtracks do not deter viewers from enjoying a compelling narrative.

This is of utmost importance for a platform like Netflix. The success of its flagship shows is crucial, especially in a highly competitive streaming landscape where original content reigns supreme. Apart from producing its own movies and shows, Netflix acquires numerous series from around the globe, ensuring a constant influx of fresh content for its subscribers. The sheer volume of offerings works in Netflix's favor, as the platform consistently shatters its own viewing records with its original shows. Consequently, the biggest Netflix shows only grow more popular with each passing year.

25 The Glory Season 1 (2022) - 436,900,000 Hours Viewed

Released in 2022, The Glory was a widely overlooked Netflix masterpiece. This remarkable South Korean series achieved unprecedented success, prompting Netflix to allocate an additional $2.5 billion towards Korean content (via NY Times). Addressing the themes of bullying and revenge, this gripping drama spans 16 episodes and secured its place as the fifth most-watched Netflix International series of its time. Moreover, it soared to the top 10 in 91 countries for non-English TV shows. Protagonist Moon Dong-eun embarks on a vengeful mission to confront those who tormented her during her high school years.

24 You Season 2 (2019) - 457,370,000 Hours Viewed

You, an intriguing Netflix original series, captivated viewers by centering the narrative around Joe, a serial killer who defies traditional heroism. In contrast to Dexter, who targeted other wrongdoers, Joe's actions left no room for redemption. Yet, viewers remained enthralled, eagerly awaiting Joe's eventual downfall. Season 2 witnessed a remarkable surge in popularity, accumulating an impressive 457 million hours of viewership. This season marked a significant milestone as it transitioned from Lifetime to become the first-ever Netflix original, solidifying its enduring success.

23 You Season 3 (2021) - 467,830,000 Hours Viewed

Season 3 of You surpassed the second season in terms of scale and popularity. The narrative exhibited significant improvement compared to its already well-received predecessor. However, what truly propelled You to become one of Netflix's flagship shows was the exceptional portrayal of Joe by Penn Badgley. Remarkably, viewers were captivated by his character, despite his status as an unrepentant, ruthless murderer who consistently evaded justice. The third season introduced an intriguing twist, as Joe and Love embarked on married life and became parents. This compelling storyline offered fans the chance to witness the unraveling of Joe's dark secrets, inevitably leading to the destruction of his newly established world.

22 Maid (2021) - 469,09,000 Hours Viewed

In contrast to most of Netflix's popular long-running series, Maid is a captivating miniseries that offers the perfect binge-watching experience. Rather than setting up multiple seasons, this miniseries instantly garnered a large viewership when it premiered on the streaming service. Based on Stephanie Land's memoir, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive, the story revolves around a woman who bravely escapes an abusive relationship with her daughter and finds solace in a job cleaning houses. With the protagonist facing an abusive ex-husband and bureaucratic obstacles in accessing government assistance, Maid strikes a chord with many viewers.

21 13 Reasons Why Season 1 (2017) - 475,570,000 Hours Viewed

20 The Witcher Season 2 (2021) - 484,340,000 Hours Viewed

: Despite its declining popularity over the years, 13 Reasons Why remains one of the most significant Netflix shows of all time. While the show does have its flaws, it revolutionized television with its groundbreaking narrative. The story revolves around a young girl who tragically takes her own life, leaving behind a series of tapes detailing the 13 reasons that led to her decision, each reason connected to someone she knew. Subsequently, the series delves into the introspection and guilt of the individuals she implicates, compelling them to confront and acknowledge their own wrongdoings. Though emotionally challenging, the show amassed a staggering 475 million hours of viewership and was eventually renewed for subsequent seasons.

The Witcher, catering to fantasy enthusiasts, emerged as one of the most popular Netflix shows. Although the second season did not achieve the same level of viewership as the first, it still garnered an impressive 484 million hours watched and ensured the franchise's continued success by securing another season and a spinoff series. However, during its initial weekend, season 2 experienced a monumental triumph, amassing over 142 million hours viewed within a few days. Unfortunately, this success diminished over time and fell short of surpassing the viewership of the first season, totaling 541 million hours watched. The primary reason behind this decline can be attributed to the deviation from the original books upon which the show was originally based.

19 Ozark Season 4 (2022) - 491,090,000 Hours Viewed

While Ozark remains one of the most popular shows on Netflix, it is only in season 4 that it truly garnered massive viewership, with over 491 million hours viewed. This final season had fans eagerly tuning in to uncover the fates of Marty and Wendy—did they manage to escape undetected, and how did their lives ultimately unfold? The fact that the fourth season drew in such a sizable audience may seem surprising, considering the first three seasons didn't achieve this level of viewership. However, this suggests that fans either jumped into the middle of the story or found the final season compelling enough to revisit, with the latter being the more probable scenario.

18 13 Reasons Why Season 2 (2018) - 496,120,000 Hours Viewed

The second season of 13 Reasons Why surpassed the achievements of the first season, accumulating more than 20 million additional hours of viewership. What made this particularly noteworthy was its departure from solely recounting Hannah's tragedy and its exploration of various forms of bullying prevalent in high schools. However, the season also sparked controversy due to its inclusion of a school shooting storyline, which coincided with real-world incidents of such nature occurring during its release. Despite its success, 13 Reasons Why faced criticism for a perceived decline in quality after the first season, resulting in subsequent seasons failing to attract a comparable audience.

17 Ginny & Georgia Season 2 (2023) - 504,780,000 Hours Viewed

Ginny & Georgia, a dramedy series centered around a mother named Georgia, her teenage daughter Ginny, and their nine-year-old son, didn't initially gain immense popularity on Netflix. However, the show demonstrated its ability to captivate audiences in the second season. Despite their attempts to escape their troubles, the characters soon realize that running away is futile. The series garnered widespread fame, with a staggering 52 million viewers tuning in to the first season within the initial month of release. Season 2 surpassed all expectations and shattered previous viewership records. Although critics' reception was average, it became a favorite among fans and remains one of the most beloved shows on Netflix.

16 Inventing Anna (2022) - 511,920,000 Hours Viewed

In 2022, Inventing Anna captivated audiences worldwide and became one of the most successful shows on Netflix, attracting over 511 million viewing hours. This gripping miniseries recounts the captivating story of Anna Sorokin, a cunning fraudster who relocates from Russia to New York City. Anna's relentless pursuit of her dream to establish an art-centric club leads her to deceive affluent members of society, extracting hundreds of thousands of dollars from the unsuspecting elite by posing as a wealthy German heiress. Julia Garner's stellar portrayal of Anna garnered immense acclaim, earning her numerous prestigious award nominations.

15 Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023) - 524,400,000 Hours Viewed

For those who ever questioned the impact of the Bridgerton franchise on Netflix, the spinoff miniseries Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story managed to draw in fans of the original series, as it delved into Queen Charlotte's determination to pressure her children to carry on the family legacy after the tragic loss of Princess Charlotte. Despite being a spinoff, it achieved remarkable success on a global scale, reaching the top spot in 91 different countries, including the United States, on Netflix. Moreover, it garnered impressive viewership figures within the first seven days of its release in May 2023, solidifying its position as one of the most-watched series during that period.

14 All Of Us Are Dead Season 1 (2022) - 560,780,000 Hours Viewed

All Of Us Are Dead emerged as an unexpected sensation in 2022, a truly distinctive South Korean zombie series. This gripping show explores the undead realm in a novel way, unfolding within the confines of a South Korean high school where resourceful students grapple with the challenges of survival. Its appeal lies in its ability to capture the profound impact of witnessing one's close friends succumb to zombification, a transformative experience that mirrors the tumultuous realities faced by adolescents as they transition into the world of high school. The critical reception was overwhelmingly positive, propelling the show to amass a staggering 474 million viewers within its first month, with its reputation continuing to soar through powerful word-of-mouth recommendations.

13 Lucifer Season 5 (2020) - 569,480,000 Hours Viewed

Lucifer season 5 has secured the 10th spot on Netflix's most-watched list, with a staggering 569,480,000 hours viewed within the first 28 days of its release. The show revolves around Lucifer Morningstar (played by Tom Ellis), the ruler of Hell, who becomes bored with his position and decides to spend time on Earth. Despite the existence of 6 seasons, season 5 stands out as a fan favorite, surpassing the viewership hours of the other seasons. In fact, season 5 has become one of the biggest hits in the history of Netflix.

Originally intended as the final season, Lucifer season 5 premiered in June 2019. Its immense success prompted the announcement of season 6 one year later, with the cast agreeing to continue their roles. Alongside Tom Ellis, the ensemble cast for Lucifer season 5 featured Lauren German as Chloe Decker, Kevin Alejandro as Dan Espinoza, D.B Woodside as Amenadiel, Lesley-Ann Brandt as Mazikeen, Aimee Garcia as Ella Lopez, and Rachel Harris as Linda Martin. This particular season delved into Lucifer's interactions with both humans and his fellow celestial beings, highlighting the chaos caused by his twin brother Michael (also played by Tom Ellis).

12 Money Heist Part 4 (2020) - 619,010,000 Hours Viewed

Money Heist Part 4 emerged as one of Netflix's biggest non-English shows, surpassing Stranger Things 3 by 30 million viewing hours. With its beloved characters, it garnered an impressive 619 million hours of viewership within the first 28 days on Netflix, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the release of Money Heist Part 5. Originally launched in 2017, this Spanish heist drama cultivated a dedicated audience, propelling its fourth installment to secure a spot in Netflix's top 10 in 2020.

Continuing the chaos of previous seasons, Money Heist Part 4 introduces a new threat that jeopardizes the heist, as The Professor (Álvaro Morte) believes the gang is either dead or near death. The series kept viewers captivated with its outlandish scenes, including a controversial death that eliminated one of the fans' beloved characters. Despite the controversy, Money Heist Part 4 remains one of Netflix's most-watched original series and a favorite among its loyal fanbase.

11 The Witcher Season 1 (2019) - 663,600,000 Hours Viewed

In 2019, Netflix released one of the most highly anticipated epic fantasy series, The Witcher. Adapted from a beloved fantasy novel series by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, which had already garnered a large following as a popular videogame series. The show instantly became a sensation, propelled by Henry Cavill's portrayal of Geralt of Eivia, a Witcher - a skilled monster hunter with magical powers. While the first season attracted a larger audience, the second season saw a slight decline, possibly due to the narrative's frequent time jumps that may have confused some mainstream viewers. Nonetheless, both seasons remain among the top-rated shows on Netflix.

10 Stranger Things 3 (2019) - 716,100,000 Hours Viewed

Stranger Things 3 quickly became a global sensation on Netflix, solidifying its place as one of the platform's biggest shows. Within just 28 days, the third season garnered a staggering 582,100,000 hours of viewership, and it continues to be a beloved favorite among fans, as evident from the success of Stranger Things 4. Seamlessly blending themes of adolescence, evolving relationships, and captivating sci-fi horror, Stranger Things 3 captivated audiences upon its release in 2016 and has remained unbeaten by newer Netflix shows, testament to its enduring popularity. Given the overwhelming success of the first two seasons, it comes as no surprise that Stranger Things 3 secured a spot in Netflix's prestigious top 10.

9 The Queen's Gambit: Limited Series (2020) - 746,400,000 Hours Viewed

8 Money Heist Part 5 (2021) - 792,230,000 Hours Viewed

The Queen's Gambit, which was released in 2020, centers around the life of Elizabeth, a remarkable chess genius. Set in the 1950s and 1960s, the series portrays her journey to acclaim and success in the fiercely competitive world of chess, while simultaneously grappling with addiction and emotional challenges. Anya Taylor-Joy delivers a captivating performance in the lead role, leading to the miniseries' tremendous popularity on Netflix. Within its first month, it became the most-watched limited series in the history of the streaming platform. Winning numerous accolades and earning critical acclaim, The Queen's Gambit received 11 Primetime Emmy Awards and broke new ground as the first streaming service limited series to win the Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series category.

Money Heist Part 5 shattered records as the final installment of the iconic series. With a staggering 792,230,000 hours viewed in its first 28 days, it joins the ranks of the biggest Netflix shows ever. Surpassing Bridgerton season 2 by a margin of nearly 140,000,000 hours watched, Money Heist Part 5 captivated audiences worldwide. This gripping season consists of ten episodes, divided into two volumes, and delves into the repercussions of a devastating loss within the gang. Brace yourself for the most explosive and emotionally charged chapter of Money Heist yet.

Money Heist Part 5 brilliantly wraps up all its loose ends in its final episode, where the army emerges as their toughest adversary yet. While the last installment of Money Heist garnered positive reviews from critics, audiences were slightly less impressed despite the significant number of viewers, but the show still managed to secure good ratings overall. Moreover, with the majority of the Money Heist cast reprising their roles, viewers eagerly anticipated how the gang's story would culminate in the grand finale.

7 Bridgerton Season 2 (2022) - 797,200,000 Hours Viewed

Bridgerton season 2 surpassed its predecessor by a staggering 25,000,000 hours of viewing, accumulating a total of 656,260,000 hours watched within its initial 28 days of release. The arrival of Sex Education star Simone Ashley as lead character Kate Sharma heightened the anticipation surrounding this second season of the popular Netflix original. Fans became enthralled by the captivating dynamic between Kate Sharma and Anthony Bridgerton (portrayed by Jonathan Bailey), finding their connection to be more authentic and heartfelt compared to the central couple in the previous season. The emphasis on romance rather than explicit sexual content further resonated with the audience.

Plus, with Penelope and Colin Bridgerton’s (Luke Newton) romance starting to take shape, the supporting cast of Bridgerton season 2 was able to further develop. Their story will be the core of Bridgerton season 3. Additionally, Eloise’s character blossomed, becoming stronger both independently and through her romance with commoner Theo (Calam Lynch). As the Bridgerton fan base continues to grow, it would come as no surprise if the highly anticipated season 3 surpasses the success of the first two seasons upon its release.

6 The Night Agent Season 1 (2023) - 803,200,000 Hours Viewed

The Night Agent, which was released in 2023, instantly took Netflix by storm and became one of its most popular shows. Developed by Shawn Ryan, the mastermind behind The Shield, the series featured Gabriel Basso in the lead role of FBI agent Peter Sullivan. Peter's occupation as a Night Action telephone operator at the White House leads him into a gripping conspiracy involving a high-ranking mole within the US government. Now, Peter must embark on a mission to unmask the traitor and ensure their downfall before it's too late.

With its instant popularity, the show became the third most-watched debut series in Netflix's history, ensuring its swift renewal for a second season. The second season garnered immense attention, ranking as the seventh-most viewed season of any show on Netflix, with a staggering 626 million hours of viewership. Esteemed critics applauded the series for its confident execution of the spy thriller genre, hinting at Peter's continued escapades outside the confines of the office in the forthcoming season of The Night Agent.