Netflix
Netflix took a major transparency step in December 2023, when it went further than any competitor by releasing an extensive list of its most-watched films and shows
At the time, Netflix said that this would give creators and investors “deeper insights into our audiences,” allowing the industry to pore over its viewing data every six months
Until now
Netflix revealed during the week that it will stop publishing its biannual What We Watched reports, replacing them with yearly insights. The streamer’s report for the first half of 2026 will be its last six-month update
So, to mark the final biannual What We Watched report, Deadline has collated four years’ worth of viewing figures to bring you an official ranking of the most-watched shows on Netflix in the data dump era
Scroll on for the top 20 — complete with a few surprises
20. ‘Untamed’ Season 1: 101.1M Views
Starring the late Sam Neill opposite Eric Bana, the crime drama about a special agent for the National Parks Service proved popular with Netflix members when it premiered in 2025
19. ‘Squid Game’ Season 1: 101.6M views
Squid Game may have soared onto the screen two years before Netflix started publishing What We Watched reports, but that did not stop the Korean franchise’s first season from figuring in the top 20.
18. ‘Stranger Things’ Season 2: 101.8M Views
Stranger Things Season 2 premiered in 2017, but still performed strongly in Netflix viewing over the past four years
17. ‘La Palma’: 102.3M Views
One of Netflix’s sneaky hits, the 2024 Norwegian limited series follows a family of Norwegian tourists as they are hit by a volcanic eruption on the idyllic Canary Islands. Netflix is now making a sequel series, titled Florida
16. ‘Baby Reindeer’: 103.5M Views
One of the most discussed Netflix series in history, Baby Reindeer was an unexpected breakout for the streamer. As well as generating a huge number of views, the stalker story went on to clinch Emmy and BAFTA awards
15. ‘His & Hers’: 104M Views
The Jon Bernthal and Tessa Thompson drama was a new entry after becoming Netflix’s most-watched show in the first half of 2026
14. ‘Young Sheldon’: 104.2M Views
Chuck Lorre’s CBS comedy has been a huge hit on Netflix, proving the importance of acquired library content
13. ‘The Gentlemen’: 105.8M
Guy Ritchie’s drug caper launched in 2024, starring Theo James. It was one of a number of Brit hits on the list. Season 2 premieres on September 3
12. ‘Wednesday’ Season 1: 124.5M Views
Tim Burton’s Adams Family series premiered before Netflix started publishing What We Watched reports, but viewers kept returning to the Jenna Ortega vehicle
11. ‘One Piece’ Season 1: 125.6M Views
A live-action adaptation of the 1997 Japanese manga series, it tells the story of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew as they explore exotic islands in search of the world’s ultimate treasure. One Piece has dug up ratings gold for Netflix
10. ‘Peppa Pig’ Season 6: 127.4M Views
The British animation about a family of pigs started as a tiny show on British TV more than 20 years ago. It’s now one of the biggest series on Netflix
9. ‘Stranger Things’ Season 1: 127.5M Views
Securing its second slot in the top 20, Stranger Things is without doubt one of Netflix’s all-time hits
8. ‘Wednesday’ Season 2: 133.1M Views
Premiering in September last year, Wednesday clinched its second spot in the top 20. It cements Jenna Ortega as one of Netflix’s biggest stars
7. ‘Ms. Rachel’ Season 1: 137.5M Views
Netflix is in a titanic battle for attention with YouTube, so there is some irony in YouTubers populating its most-watched list. None are bigger than Ms. Rachel, the children’s music language specialist
6. ‘Fool Me Once’: 138.3M Views
Harlan Coben is one of the most bankable writers in television, and this British series starring Michelle Keegan has been one of his biggest hits.
5. ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5: 149.1M Views
It should come as no surprise that the final season of Stranger Things is in the top 20. All five seasons have amassed more than half a billion views over the past four years
4. ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3: 154.2M Views
Bridgerton is the hit that keeps giving, but best of the bunch was Season 3 starring Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton and Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington
3. ‘Squid Game’ Season 3: 155.8M Views
No Netflix most-watched list would be complete without Squid Game. Season 3 premiered in June 2025 and is the third biggest series of the past four years
2. ‘Adolescence’: 171.6M Views
Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne’s one-shot limited series was a phenomenon when it premiered last year. As well as a bag full of Emmys and a record BAFTA haul, it was easily the second most-viewed Netflix show of recent years
1. ‘Squid Game’ Season 2: 225.4M Views
Netflix subscribers had to wait three years for the second season of the Korean phenomenon, but patience paid off for Netflix. Season 2 was 54M views ahead of its closest competitor. Together, the three seasons of Squid Game have amassed nearly half a billion views for Netflix since 2023
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