As Netflix opens the curtains on its viewing figures, unveiling the “What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report,” the surprising popularity of some TV shows is stealing the spotlight.
The streaming giant, known for keeping its viewer statistics under wraps, has decided to share detailed insights into viewers’ habits in the first half of 2023. While some hits like Wednesday secured their expected spots, a few shows have emerged as unexpected favorites.
The top Netflix shows span various genres, from reality TV and comedy series to teen dramas and non-English language programming. Here are ten Netflix series that are quietly dominating the platform:
10. Love is Blind
Season 4 of the hit reality show was watched for 229,700,000 hours. The dating experiment where couples decide to marry without seeing each other has continued to captivate audiences. Season 4 ranked seventeenth in Netflix’s ratings but still managed to draw significant viewership, securing its renewal for two more seasons.
9. Kaleidoscope
Season 1 was watched for 252,500,000 hours. With an innovative structure allowing episodes to be watched in any order, Kaleidoscope intrigued viewers with its interactive twist. The series sparked debates on the best viewing sequence, accumulating a substantial 252.5 million viewing hours.
8. FUBAR
Season 1 was watched for 266,200,000 hours. Featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger in his scripted TV debut, FUBAR is an action-comedy about a father and daughter unknowingly working as CIA operatives. The show ranked tenth in Netflix’s viewership, securing a renewal for a second season.
7. Outer Banks
Season 3 of the show watched for 402,500,000 hours. The teen adventure series, centered around a group of friends in search of lost treasure, has become a binge-worthy favorite. Outer Banks ranked eighth in Netflix’s ratings, promising more intrigue with the announcement of season 4.
6. La Reina del Sur
Season 3 of this Spanish telenovela watched for 429,600,000 hours. Despite being available only regionally, the Spanish-language telenovela La Reina del Sur clinched the seventh spot in Netflix’s top 10. The gripping narco-drama, based on a novel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, accumulated over 429 million viewing hours.
5. You
Season 4 of the hit show was watched for 440,600,000 hours. The psychological thriller You, starring Penn Badgley, maintained its success with the fourth season. Viewers followed Joe Goldberg’s escapades as an English professor in London, making it the fifth most-watched choice with over 440 million hours viewed.
4. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
This limited series was watched for 503,000,000 hours. While Bridgerton was already a known success, its spin-off prequel limited series, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, surprised viewers and secured the fourth spot. The series, with its imaginative take on historical events, scored over 503 million viewing hours.
3. The Glory
Season 1 of the series was watched for 622,800,000 hours. The South Korean series about a murder mystery involving a schoolteacher seeking revenge, emerged as the third most popular choice. With over 622 million hours watched, it solidified its place among Netflix’s top non-English language shows.
2. Ginny & Georgia
Season 2 was watched for 66,100,000 hours. The heartwarming story of mother and daughter, reminiscent of Gilmore Girls, struck a chord with viewers. Ginny & Georgia claimed the second spot, with both seasons accumulating impressive viewing hours, leading to Netflix’s renewal for a third and fourth season.
1. The Night Agent
Season 1 of this action drama was watched for 812,100,000 hours. Taking the crown as the most-watched Netflix series, The Night Agent season 1 garnered an astonishing 812.1 million viewing hours. The action-packed thriller follows FBI Agent Peter Sutherland entangled in a vast conspiracy, promising binge-worthy excitement. The high viewing figures prompted Netflix to greenlight a second season.
