Top 20 Most Watched TV Series of 2025
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The television landscape in 2025 has been extraordinary, with streaming platforms continuing to dominate and produce content that captivates global audiences. Based on viewership metrics and chart performance, here are the twenty most watched TV series of 2025.
1. Squid Game (Netflix)
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Survival Drama | Viewership: 27.1 million households
Squid Game remains Netflix's most dominant series worldwide. The Korean thriller's third and final season drew 60.1 million views in its opening weekend, setting a new record for Netflix. Even with the shorter episode count compared to previous seasons, Squid Game Season 3 accumulated 130 million global views and 797 million hours viewed. The series' cultural phenomenon status shows no signs of slowing, consistently ranking among Netflix's top performers regardless of language barrier.
2. Adolescence (Netflix)
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Comedy-Drama | Viewership: 19 million households
Adolescence emerged as a breakout sensation on Netflix, hitting the No. 2 position on Netflix's "Most Popular English TV" list with over 124 million views in its opening run. The series demonstrates storytelling that resonates across demographics, blending humor with relatable coming-of-age narratives that appeal to diverse audiences.
3. Tracker (CBS)
Platform: CBS
Genre: Crime Drama | Viewership: 17.4 million households
Tracker secured third place with its gripping crime narrative. As a traditional broadcast network offering, it showcases the continued strength of network television in capturing large viewership numbers despite the streaming era.
4. Reacher (Amazon Prime Video)
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Genre: Action Thriller | Viewership: 17.3 million households
The adaptation of Lee Child's beloved novels continues to draw massive audiences on Amazon's platform. Reacher's compelling action sequences and character development have made it a consistent performer among streaming audiences.
5. High Potential (ABC)
Platform: ABC
Genre: Drama | Viewership: 16.1 million households
High Potential captured 16.1 million viewers with its innovative storytelling approach. The series demonstrates that traditional broadcast networks remain competitive in attracting substantial audiences.
6. Matlock (CBS)
Platform: CBS
Genre: Legal Drama | Viewership: 16 million households
Matlock reached 16 million households, proving the enduring appeal of legal drama with fresh perspectives and compelling character work.
7. Landman (Paramount+)
Platform: Paramount+
Genre: Drama | Viewership: 15.8 million households
Landman accumulated 15.8 million viewers on Paramount+, demonstrating the streamer's capacity to produce content that draws substantial audiences.
8. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Netflix)
Platform: Netflix
Genre: True Crime Drama | Viewership: 15.7 million households
This Ryan Murphy production achieved 15.7 million viewers, showcasing Netflix's dominance in the true crime documentary-drama space.
9. Zero Day (Netflix)
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Political Thriller | Viewership: 15.7 million households
Zero Day tied with the Menendez story, drawing 15.7 million households with its intense political thriller narrative.
10. Nobody Wants This (Netflix)
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Romantic Comedy | Viewership: 15.2 million households
Nobody Wants This proved the continued appeal of romantic comedies in the streaming age, accumulating 15.2 million viewers with its charming narrative.
11. The Night Agent (Netflix)
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Political Thriller | Viewership: 14.8 million households
The Night Agent remains a consistent performer for Netflix, drawing 14.8 million households to its political intrigue.
12. American Primeval (Netflix)
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Western Drama | Viewership: 13.8 million households
American Primeval's gritty Western storytelling attracted 13.8 million viewers. The series delivers brutal survival scenes balanced with emotional depth and stunning cinematography
13. Running Point (Netflix)
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Sports Drama | Viewership: 13.1 million households
Running Point captured 13.1 million households with its sports-centered narrative.
14. The Residence (Netflix)
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Period Drama | Viewership: 12.8 million households
The Residence drew 12.8 million viewers with its compelling period storytelling.
15. A Man on the Inside (Netflix)
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Comedy-Drama | Viewership: 12.4 million households
This series accumulated 12.4 million households with its unique premise and engaging characters.
16. Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage (CBS)
Platform: CBS
Genre: Comedy | Viewership: 12.1 million households
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage tied for 16th place with 12.1 million viewers, continuing the legacy of successful CBS comedy programming.
17. Ghosts (CBS)
Platform: CBS
Genre: Horror Comedy | Viewership: 12.1 million households
Ghosts drew 12.1 million households with its blend of supernatural scares and comedic moments.
18. Yellowstone (Paramount)
Platform: Paramount+
Genre: Drama | Viewership: 12.1 million households
Yellowstone's final season iteration reached 12.1 million viewers, cementing its place as one of television's most popular series franchises.
19. La Palma (Netflix)
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Drama | Viewership: 11.4 million households
La Palma achieved 11.4 million viewers, demonstrating Netflix's global appeal with international content.
20. Will Trent (ABC)
Platform: ABC
Genre: Crime Drama | Viewership: 11.4 million households
Will Trent rounded out the top 20 with 11.4 million households, showcasing the continued popularity of procedural crime dramas.
Key Takeaways
The 2025 television landscape reveals several important trends. Netflix dominates the streaming space with multiple series populating the top 20, including five of the top ten most watched shows. However, traditional broadcast networks like CBS and ABC continue to draw substantial audiences, proving that quality content attracts viewers regardless of platform.
The diversity of genres represented—from political thrillers to romantic comedies to legal dramas—demonstrates that audiences in 2025 are consuming varied storytelling formats. International content, particularly Korean dramas, continues to achieve massive global viewership numbers, reflecting the worldwide appetite for diverse storytelling.
Where to watch these series depends on your current subscriptions, but with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, and traditional broadcast networks all represented in the top 20, most viewers will find these shows accessible through their existing services.