Netflix’s 2025 slate has delivered a powerful mix of prestige drama, high-octane thrillers, and franchise-defining blockbusters, and the viewership charts reflect that. Several titles have surged ahead in global hours watched, with some even dominating the conversation within days of release. From haunting mysteries to politically charged sagas, here are the five most-watched Netflix series of 2025 so far.
Adolescence (2025)
The year’s breakout limited series, Adolescence, has gripped audiences worldwide with its unsettling portrayal of family, class, and justice. Co-created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham — with Graham also starring alongside Owen Cooper — the crime drama follows a working-class family whose world shatters after their 13-year-old son is accused of murdering a classmate. Its combination of raw performances and emotional depth turned it into a must-watch within days of release.
Squid Game – Season 2 (2024)
Although it officially dropped on December 26, 2024, the vast majority of viewing numbers for the second installment of Squid Game rolled into 2025 — enough to make it one of the year’s biggest titles. Led by Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-jun, Yim Si-wan, and Kang Ha-neul, the survival thriller’s return followed Gi-hun’s determination to bring down the deadly organization as the Front Man tightened control. The season’s intense world-building kept global audiences binging nonstop.
Squid Game – Season 3 (2025)
The third season premiered on June 27, instantly rocketing into the Top 3 despite having only a few days in the measurement window. With Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-jun, and Park Gyu-young leading the cast, Season 3 delivered a higher-stakes, emotionally charged showdown that pushed Gi-hun toward his ultimate endgame. Its explosive debut reaffirmed Squid Game as Netflix’s most dominant franchise.
Zero Day (2025)
This political thriller emerged as a headline magnet thanks to Robert De Niro’s first-ever major television role. Starring alongside Angela Bassett, Jesse Plemons, Lizzy Caplan, and Connie Britton, De Niro plays a former U.S. president overseeing a commission investigating a catastrophic cyberattack. Blending geopolitical intrigue with character-driven tension, Zero Day became a prestige hit and a streaming juggernaut.
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Missing You (2025)
Harlan Coben’s winning streak on Netflix continues with Missing You, anchored by Rosalind Eleazar, Ashley Walters, Richard Armitage, and Lenny Henry. The story follows a detective who spots her long-missing ex on a dating app, triggering a chilling conspiracy linked to her past. After Fool Me Once’s massive success in 2024, this gripping thriller cemented Coben as one of Netflix’s most dependable hit-makers.
Will Stranger Things 5 join the list?
With Stranger Things 5: Volume 1 already streaming and the remaining two volumes scheduled for release later this year, industry watchers believe the final season could upend the rankings completely. As one of Netflix’s most-watched franchises of all time, the Hawkins storyline’s concluding chapter is widely expected to become not just a 2025 chart-topper, but a record-setter once all volumes are out.
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