With 2025 now past the midpoint, Netflix has already released numerous series that quickly climbed to the top of the platform’s rankings.
From comedic adventures to detective stories, real-life criminal documentaries to accounts of wartime events, there has been a wide range of content available. Although Netflix’s approach of releasing entire seasons at once often leads to most programs staying atop the rankings for just one week before being replaced by something new, certain shows have managed to remain popular for several weeks, becoming massive hits.
Adolescence
taking the number one position for the longest duration this year so far (though)
Stranger Things
Season 5 is now putting on its shoes
), with the intense drama spending nearly a month at the top of the charts.
However, with 15 distinct titles reaching the top this year (refer to the list below for the complete details), it may be challenging to identify the standout ones.
best Netflix shows
and that’s how I get involved. Here’s my selection of the top seven most-watched programs on one of the
best streaming services
actually worth watching.
Missing You
Episodes:
5
Main cast:
Rosalind Eleazar, Jessica Plummer, Richard Armitage, Lenny Henry, Steve Pemberton, Marc Warren, Samantha Spiro, Lisa Faulkner, Mary Malone, Ashley Walters, Alice Offley, James Nesbitt, Matt Willis
Number 1 show:
January 6 – 12
A continuation of Netflix’s series of Harlan Coben adaptations, viewers familiar with the platform’s partnerships with the writer can anticipate similar content.
Missing You
– a complex mystery filled with well-known British actors set in an eerily familiar take on Britain.
Missing You
does not defy convention, yet this story about a detective (Rosalind Eleazar) who finds her missing fiancé on a dating app is an easily consumable five-episode series where past hurts resurface and hidden truths begin to come to light.
Similar to every Coben adaptation, the ensemble features an impressive lineup including Richard Armitage, Lenny Henry, Steve Pemberton, Marc Warren, Lisa Faulkner, and even Matt Willis from Busted making appearances across the show.
Season 2 of The Night Agent
Episodes:
10
Main cast:
Gabriel Basso, Luciane Buchanan, Amanda Warren, Arienne Mandi, Brittany Snow, Louis Herthum, Berto Colon, Keon Alexander, Michael Malarkey, Teddy Sears
Number 1 show:
January 20th to February 9th
The television series based on Matthew Quirk’s spy novels made a return earlier this year following an initial successful season, securing its place as one of the rare programs to hold the number-one position for several consecutive weeks.
Continuing nine months after the dramatic conclusion of season 1,
The Night Agent
season 2
Caught up with Peter (Gabriel Basso) during a task in Thailand following his successful rescue of the president, which gave him the opportunity to join Night Action as an official member.
Speaking further would reveal the surprises and developments throughout the ten-episode series, but know this: there’s just as much excitement as there were only a handful of individuals Peter could rely on during his initial journey.
Zero Day
Episodes:
6
Main cast:
Robert De Niro, Lizzy Caplan, Jesse Plemons, Joan Allen, Connie Britton, Bill Camp, Dan Stevens, Matthew Modine, Angela Bassett
Number 1 show:
February 24 through March 2
The legendary
Robert De Niro starred in his inaugural television series for Netflix’s gripping and chilling dramatic production.
Zero Day
.
Located in the wake of a catastrophic national cyber attack that resulted in numerous fatalities, De Niro portrays George Mullen, a retired U.S. president overseeing the inquiry, all while managing his internal struggles. To uncover the reality, Mullen needs to navigate an overwhelming amount of false information and theories, alongside handling the individual goals of those who control influence within the tech sector.
Strongly leaning towards the “possible” category of suspense movies,
Zero Day
Its astonishing narrative spans six highly addictive episodes, featuring a top-notch ensemble including notable actors like Aggela Bassett, Matthew Modine, Lizzy Caplan, and Jesse Plemons.
Adolescence
Episodes:
4
Main cast:
Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, Faye Marsay, Mark Stanley, Christine Tremarco, Owen Cooper, Amélie Pease, Hannah Walters, Jo Hartley, Erin Doherty
Number 1 show:
March 10th to April 6th
The
the season’s top streaming hit (or fall favorite if you’re in the southern hemisphere), a live-action crime series
Adolescence
rose to the top of the Netflix rankings for more time than any other series this year, holding the number one spot for almost a full month.
The series centers around 13-year-old Jamie (played by Owen Cooper), who gets detained for murdering another student. Every episode explores the consequences of Jamie’s violent act against young Katie, featuring episodes covering his immediate arrest, interrogations by law enforcement at their shared school, a meeting between Jamie and his therapist (Erin Doherty), and how this event affects Jamie’s family.
Showcasing a remarkable debut by new talent Cooper, along with strong performances from Doherty and co-writer Stephen Graham as Jamie’s dad, the series is brilliantly helmed by Phillip Barantini, who uses a seamless single-take approach.
Black Mirror season 7
Episodes:
6
Main cast:
Rashida Jones, Chris O’Dowd, Awkwafina, Emma Corrin, Harriet Walter, Peter Capaldi, Asim Chaudhry, Will Poulter, Paul Giamatti, Cristin Milioti, Jesse Plemons
Number 1 show:
April 14th to April 20th
Charlie Brooker’s science fiction series made a comeback early this year adopting a more straightforward style following the show’s experimentation with horror segments and interactive movies.
Comprising six episodes (be sure to read our
ranking of each
Black Mirror
season 7 episode
), the series presented the show’s first follow-up episode (and somewhat another follow-up episode) as viewers came back to the USS Callister. Additional stories featured “Common People,” detailing a synthetic brain substitute that needs a monthly payment, the mind-altering tale “Bête Noire,” and “Hotel Reverie,” a tribute to classic Hollywood with a modern technological twist. There was also the nostalgic video game horror “Plaything” and emotional piece “Eulogy,” where individuals can enter photo-based recollections from history.
As usual with the Netflix age of
Black Mirror
The ensemble features well-known actors such as Paul Giamatti, Peter Capaldi, Emma Corrin, Awkwafina, Chris O’Dowd, and Rashida Jones. Interestingly, despite its popularity, the hit series only held the number one position for a single week, due to the release of our next entry…
You season 5
Episodes:
10
Main cast:
Penn Badgley, Charlotte Ritchie, Griffin Matthews, Anna Camp, Madeline Brewer
Number 1 show:
April 21st to April 27th
Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) made his fifth and last appearance as the popular suspense series concluded with its final season.
Wrapping up the narrative, the last episode begins with Joe and Kate (Charlotte Ritchie) three years after they moved from London to New York in pursuit of their ideal life together. The pair is doing well—Kate serves as CEO of Lockwood, while Joe has grown into a beloved and affable father figure. Yet, as challenges arise at their doorsteps and issues within Kate’s family intensify, viewers were eager to discover whether the version of Joe from his past would interfere with who he had evolved into.
Under the glare of attention, a person who lived for obscurity was now in the center stage,
Amidst the bright lights, an individual who cherished being unseen found himself exposed,
In the midst of public scrutiny, someone who preferred to remain unnoticed stood out,
Bathed in illumination, a figure who sought invisibility became the focus of all eyes,
As the beams illuminated him, a man who valued secrecy was suddenly under observation,
The glow highlighted a person who had always avoided recognition, yet now couldn’t escape it,
With the light directed at him, one who once shunned fame found themselves in the limelight,
Exposed to the world’s gaze, a man accustomed to staying hidden was finally seen,
Caught in the brightness, a soul who craved concealment could not avoid the spotlight,
Shining brightly upon him, a man who had long embraced anonymity faced unexpected visibility.
You
season 5
establishes the foundation for an unexpected ending that leaves everyone’s favorite troubled character in turmoil.
The Four Seasons
Episodes:
8
Main cast:
Tina Fey, Will Forte, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Marco Calvani, Erika Henningsen, Colman Domingo, Steve Carell
Number 1 show:
May 5th to May 11th
Tina Fey’s new comedic film centers around three pairs of friends who take an annual trip together, but find themselves surprised when one couple announces their impending separation.
A new version of the 1981 movie titled the same as the original, starring Alan Alda,
The Four Seasons
is an emotional and humorous exploration of friendship, romance, and affection as we track the gang during four picture-perfect getaways (one for each season, obviously).
With impressive viewership numbers, the series has received a renewal for a second season. Make sure to join this initial set of journeys alongside notable guests such as Fey, Steve Carell, Will Forte, and Colman Domingo.
Which other titles have topped the Netflix charts this year?
If none of the options mentioned interest you, below is the complete list of all television series that have reached the number one position on Netflix thus far in 2025:
- Missing You
- American Primeval
-
The Night Agent
season 2 - Surviving Black Hawk Down
- American Murder: Gabby Petito
- Zero Day
- Running Point
- Adolescence
- The Negative Aspects of Child Influencing
-
Black Mirror
season 7 -
You
season 5 - The Four Seasons
-
American Search for: Osama Bin Laden
U.S. Pursuit of: Osama Bin Laden
Operation Tracking Osama Bin Laden
The Hunt for Osama Bin Laden
America’s Mission: Capturing Osama Bin Laden
The American Quest for Osama Bin Laden
Tracking Down Osama Bin Laden in America
Efforts to Locate Osama Bin Laden in the U.S.
The Search Operation for Osama Bin Laden
Mission: Find Osama Bin Laden in America - Sirens
-
Ginny and Georgia
season 3
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