After changing the subscription rules by banning account sharing, Netflix is now changing its method of determining the ranking of the most popular programs in its history. Previously, films and series had 28 days to climb into the top 10. Now the period has been extended to 91 days, which makes it possible to measure the popularity of these productions over the long term. The streaming platform also decides to no longer rely solely on the number of viewing hours: it takes into account the number of episodes in a series, as well as the duration of the episodes or a movie, to produce a more balanced result that reflects the popularity of a Series better reflects. In this way it is possible to avoid preferring a longer program that would take more hours to watch, although it is not necessarily the most popular.
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And this change also brings a few surprises in the series area. While the South Korean series Squid Game is still largely at the top with more than 265 million views, the sequel is at the top. In doing so, Wednesday’s season 1 dethroned Stranger Things season 4 and became the streaming giant’s most popular English-language series. The series starring Jenna Ortega has been viewed 1.7 billion times, compared to 1.8 billion for the competition, but if we care about the number of views, Tim Burton’s production has more than 252 million views, compared to 140 million View on Stranger Things. which is explained by its duration: it is twice as long as Wednesday.
Here are the top 10 most popular series on Netflix:
1. Squid Game Season 1, 265,200,000 views
Squid Game brings in destitute contestants who agree to participate in a grand slaughter game, as the key lies in the sum of 45.6 billion won up for grabs for the victor. This 2021 South Korean series quickly found global success with 265 million views and has become a real social phenomenon, dividing viewers into two extreme camps: those who love them and those who hate them for being extreme Force. This has already been renewed for a second season. To everyone’s surprise, Netflix is trying the real-life experience too, offering reality TV inspired by the survival game that’s slated to see the light of day next November.
2. Wednesday Season 1, 140,700,000 views
On Wednesday, the series, directed by none other than Tim Burton, explodes everything. With 140 million views, it manages to displace Stranger Things and becomes the most popular English-language series on the platform. This reimagining of the Addams Family story focuses on young Wednesday Addams, played by Jenna Ortega. She finds herself at Nevermore Academy and then has to adjust to this unique school system while investigating a series of murders. And while the first season was pretty light-hearted and also dealt with Wednesday’s love life, get ready for the second season, which is expected to be a lot darker and spooky.
3. Stranger Things Season 4, 147,000,000 views
The most popular sci-fi series on the platform, when it no longer ranks first in the ranking of English-language series, still maintains its place in the top 10 with its fourth season. It has 147 million views. Also in this fourth part we follow the adventures of Will, Eleven and Mike (played by Noah Schnapp, Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard). This time the cast is split between two cities, in the US and in Russia, and as usual, Stranger Things season 4 multiplies again the references to events that actually took place in the 80s, as well as to other works of fiction, such as that of Stephen King.
4. Dahmer: Monsters – The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, 115,600,000 views
While the Dahmer series drew criticism from the start, it eventually managed to win the approval of Netflix subscribers, counting no fewer than 115 million views. By telling the life of Jeffrey Dahmer, a serial killer rampant in the United States in the 80’s, this Ryan Murphy-directed production drew the ire of a few people who end up blaming the platform for this killer’s horrific acts to glorify. However, this did not prevent it from being renewed for a second season. This new season should focus on the profile of two more killers: Lyle and Erik Menendez.
5. The Bridgerton Chronicle Season 1, 113,300,000 views
Set in 19th Century England and the Regency era, this series has completely won over audiences. The tormented love story of aristocratic couple Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset (played by Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page) wowed Netflix subscribers, racking up over 113 million views, making it one of Netflix’s most popular series. The lavish sets and costumes helped make it a success, and Netflix was not happy with the production’s success and was quick to confirm a second season and spin-offs.
6. The Ladies Game, 112,800,000 views
Le Jeu de la dame, this 7-episode mini-series chronicles the turbulent life of a chess player. We thus follow the fate of this young chess prodigy named Beth Harmon (played by the brilliant Anya Taylor-Joy) from the age of eight to the age of 22, in the midst of the Cold War. She then sets out to become the best player in the world while battling her own demons. A box full for this dramatic miniseries as it has been viewed more than 112 million times in total.
7. La Casa de papel part 4, 106,000,000 views
Season 4 of the Spanish series “La casa de papel” was a great success (as was the rest of the series). This series follows the adventures of a mysterious man nicknamed “The Professor” and his team of criminals recruited from all over Spain. The team will then plan and pull off the best heist ever. In short, an action series that has the perfect recipe to become one of the most popular productions on the streaming platform.
8. Lupin, In The Shadow Of Arsene Season 1, 99,500,000 views
This first season of Lupine, released in January 2020, achieved remarkable numbers and made it into the top 10. With 99 million views, this French series starring Omar Sy in the skin of Assane Diop is inspired by the universe of Arsène Lupine. Upset about his father’s suicide, accused of a murder he didn’t commit, this man decides to follow the example of the famous burglar.
9. La casa de papel part 5, 99,200,000 views
Also in the rankings, La Casa de papel proves that it really is one of Netflix’s safe investments. With this fifth season, concluding the adventures of the professor and his team, the platform manages to generate more than 99 million views. An admirable score.
10. The Night Agent Season 1, 98,200,000 views
“The Night Agent”, the current suspense series from Netflix, once again underlines the desire of subscribers for the action genre. It is about the FBI agent Peter Sutherland, who is then involved in a huge conspiracy. If the scenario remains more classic, with espionage cases between Russians and Americans, the series still has 98 million views, making it one of the biggest successes of the streaming giant.
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