With incredible production, phenomenal acting, and engaging storylines, Netflix has undoubtedly shaped the way TV shows are created today. Alongside other television network giants such as HBO and Showtime, Netflix continues to set the standard for premium television content, with several of its own original series [1] breaking all-time records in viewership, on both national and global scales. You may be aware of what is popular on the streamer due to social media hype or TV trailers [2], but what Netflix shows [3] kept viewers coming back in huge numbers? Read on to find out the 20 most-watched seasons of Netflix TV shows of all time, according to the Netflix Top 10 [4].
Squid Game (2021)
- Plot: In this thrilling series from Hwang Dong-hyuk, hundreds of people crippled by personal debt are selected to participate in a variety of games to win a whopping ₩45.6 billion cash prize. At first glance the games seem innocent, but the players soon find out they have fatal consequences.
- Language: Korean
- View Count in First 28 Days: 1,650,450,000
Watch Squid Game [5] on Netflix
Bridgerton (2020)
- Plot: Based on the bestselling romance series by Julia Quinn, the series centres around the Bridgerton [7] family as they navigate the complicated world of finding love. It's steamy, scandalous, and the perfect period drama.
- View Count in First 28 Days: 625,490,000
Watch Bridgerton [8] on Netflix.
Money Heist, Part 4 (2020)
- Plot: In an elaborate plan to carry out the greatest money heist in the history of Spain, lead character the Professor enlists the help of eight people with various skills to steal €984 million. Clashes with police and other forces, however, make this scheme more complicated than once intended. The fourth instalment focuses on the chaos of what such a plan causes, with each member facing their own conflicts while an insider attempts to dismantle their operation.
- Language: Spanish
- View Count in First 28 Days: 619,010,000
Watch Money Heist [9] on Netflix.
Stranger Things 3 (2019)
- Plot: In mid-'80s Hawkins, IN, Will Byers is still struggling with the consequences of his supernatural abduction from season one, and he and his friends contend with a mysterious threat connected to the new local mall.
- View Count in First 28 Days: 582,100,000
Watch Stranger Things [10] on Netflix.
The Witcher, Season 1 (2019)
- Plot: Based on the acclaimed book series by Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher takes place in medieval times on the Continent and focuses on monster hunter Geralt of Rivia and Princess Ciri of Cintra, as they are linked together by destiny.
- View Count in First 28 Days: 541,010,000
Watch The Witcher [11] on Netflix.
13 Reasons Why, Season 2 (2018)
- Plot: The second season of the acclaimed show centres around the aftermath of Hannah Baker's death and the effect it's had on her friends and classmates. Following a huge revelation in the season one finale, the second season will have you eagerly anticipating what happens next in the lives of the Liberty High School students.
- View Count in First 28 Days: 496,120,000
Watch 13 Reasons Why [12] on Netflix.
13 Reasons Why, Season 1 (2017)
- Plot: When high schooler Hannah Baker takes her own life, she leaves behind a box of recordings that explain why she went forward her suicide. Clay Jensen discovers the box on his front porch and becomes determined to dig deeper into Hannah's death.
- View Count in First 28 Days: 475,570,000
Watch 13 Reasons Why [14] on Netflix.
Maid (2021)
- Plot: Inspired by the memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive by Stephanie Land, the series centres around single mother Alex as she attempts to make a better life for herself and her daughter, Maddy, after dealing with homelessness and an abusive relationship. It features mother-daugther duo Andie MacDowell and Margaret Qualley, whose personal relationship only makes their onscreen performances even more stunning.
- View Count in First 28 Days: 469,090,000
Watch Maid [15] on Netflix.
You, Season 3 (2021)
- Plot: Bookstore manager and part-time serial killer Joe Goldberg returns in season three of the popular series as a husband and father, but he still struggles with compulsions.
- View Count in First 28 Days: 467,830,000
Watch You [16] on Netflix.
You, Season 2 (2019)
- Plot: Serial killer Joe Goldberg moves from New York to Los Angeles as a means to create a new life and shed his old identity. When he meets new friends and chef Love Quinn, however, his old habits of obsession and violence return.
- View Count in First 28 Days: 457,370,000
Watch You [17] on Netflix.
Stranger Things 2 (2017)
- Plot: Though he's been rescued from the Upside Down, Will Byers continues to experience terrifying hallucinations that predict yet another danger threatening the small town of Hawkins, IN, and it's up to Will, his friends, and police chief Jim Hopper to stop it.
- View Count in First 28 Days: 427,440,000
Watch Stranger Things [18] on Netflix.
Money Heist, Part 3 (2019)
- Plot: Nearly three years since their big heist, the main characters of Money Heist are enjoying their new lives, but they soon find out that the consequences of their actions are coming to disrupt their plans.
- Language: Spanish
- View Count in First 28 Days: 426,400,000
Watch Money Heist [19] on Netflix.
Sex Education, Season 3 (2021)
- Plot: The intimate lives of students, faculty, and parents of Moordale Secondary School are all intertwined in this acclaimed comedy-drama series. The success of the first two seasons made viewership even greater for season three, in which characters Otis, Jean, Eric, Adam, and others prepare for big life changes.
- View Count in First 28 Days: 418,760,000
Watch Sex Education [20] on Netflix.
Money Heist, Part 5 (2021)
- Plot: After being trapped in the Bank of Spain for days, the group are forced to reconvene and plan their next move, but they soon come face to face with a new enemy — the Spanish army.
- Language: Spanish
- View Count in First 28 Days: 395,130,000
Watch Money Heist [22] on Netflix
Lupin, Part 1 (2021)
- Plot: Influenced by the fictional gentleman thief Arsène Lupin and determined to seek revenge for the tragic death of his father, professional thief Assane Diop attempts to expose the crimes of a wealthy family.
- Language: French
- View Count in First 28 Days: 316,830,000
Watch Lupin [23] on Netflix.
Elite, Season 3 (2020)
- Plot: In this teen drama, three working-class students in the elite secondary school of Las Encinas struggle with their social status among their wealthy peers. Season three follows the aftermath of the stabbing death of a wealthy student, and everyone's a suspect.
- Language: Spanish
- View Count in First 28 Days: 275,300,000
Watch Elite [24] on Netflix.
Who Killed Sara? Season 1 (2021)
- Plot: After Álex Guzmán is convicted and jailed for 18 years for the murder of his sister, Sara, he does everything in his power to prove his innocence and find the real criminal behind the tragic crime.
- Language: Spanish
- View Count in First 28 Days: 266,430,000
Watch Who Killed Sara? [25] on Netflix.
Elite, Season 4 (2021)
- Plot: Four new students as well as a new principal stir up some problems for the student body of Las Encinas. With even more criminal activity and steamy hookups, season four does not disappoint.
- Language: Spanish
- View Count in First 28 Days: 257,090,000
Watch Elite [27] on Netflix.
Lupin, Part 2 (2021)
- Plot: The second instalment of Lupin picks up where the first part left off, with Assane Diop's son, Raoul, getting kidnapped. This abduction was organised by Hubert Pellegrini, the man Assane is destined to seek revenge on for the wrongful jailing and tragic death of his father. Now Assane has two objectives: get his son back and avenge his father's death.
- Language: French
- View Count in First 28 Days: 214,070,000
Watch Lupin [28] on Netflix
Dark Desire, Season 1 (2020)
- Plot: Successful lawyer and spouse Alma takes a trip away from home which results in lust, passion, and tragedy. The series focuses on her quest to find out the truth from those in her personal and professional circle.
- Language: Spanish
- View Count in First 28 Days: 213,790,000
Watch Dark Desire [29] on Netflix.