Most Watched Netflix Series And Movies of 2024 (And Biggest Disappointments)

Pictures through Netflix – Illustration by What’s on Netflix

With 2024 within the books, it’s time for a deep dive into the numbers to seek out out what probably the most watched Netflix Original motion pictures, collection, and documentaries of the 12 months have been. 

This is an abbreviated model of a two-part collection (with a paid obtain with an entire breakdown of Netflix’s 2024 viewing figures) out there on the Netflix & Chiffres Substack. That model consists of library stats and the most-liked collection and films of 2024. This is the follow-up to our July 2024 submit wanting on the largest hits and misses of the 12 months’s first half. 

For this deep dive, we’ll be utilizing the measure of Complete Viewings Equivalent (CVEs or views as Netflix dubs it), calculated by dividing the viewing hours introduced weekly by Netflix by the runtime of the respective movies and collection. Unless in any other case specified, this listing solely seems on the stats primarily based on their first 14 full days of availability. These two methodological precautions permit for an equal comparability of applications with totally different runtimes launched on different days of the week.

Note: Any quantity marked with an asterisk signifies the quantity is an estimation. TV titles marked in inexperienced point out they’ve been renewed. Titles in black point out the ultimate season or restricted collection. 

Most Watched English Language Netflix Movies of 2024

1. Carry-On (118.2M)
2. Damsel (99.1M)
3. The Union (85.1M)
4. Rebel Ridge (80.9M)
5. Lift (80.5M)
6. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (66.6M)
7. A Family Affair (66.5M)
8. Atlas (66M)
9. Our Little Secret (59.8M)
10. Trigger Warning (57.7M)

Last 12 months, a movie launched in December took the highest spot within the annual Top 10. This 12 months, it’s the motion thriller Carry-On, produced by Amblin for Netflix. The movie scored over 118M CVEs in its first 14 days. Behind that, we discover a little bit of a vertical slice of what Netflix did underneath the Scott Stuber period, specifically motion movies geared toward a broad viewers with robust casts, similar to Damsel, The Union, Lift, Atlas, and Trigger Warning, but in addition romantic comedies like A Family Affair and Our Little Secret, in addition to auteur movies (once more, geared towards a broad viewers) like Rebel Ridge by Jeremy Saulnier.

Only one sequel makes it into this Top 10, the 4th installment of Axel Foley’s adventures in Beverly Hills Cop, ready that appears considerably disappointing contemplating its solid and legacy. Another huge disappointment of the 12 months that didn’t make it into the Top 10 is the sequel to Rebel Moon by Zack Snyder, which had a really poor 12 months at Netflix. Even the Director’s Cut variations of each Rebel Moon movies didn’t break into the Netflix Top 10 once they have been launched in August. The franchise appears lifeless, regardless of Snyder’s current statements claiming he’s engaged on a 3rd movie. Nothing’s stopping him, nevertheless it’s unlikely Netflix will finance it.

The final huge disappointment for Netflix this 12 months is animation movies, as neither Spellbound, Orion and the Dark, nor Thelma the Unicorn actually discovered success. There was a modest success with That Christmas towards the tip of the 12 months, however not sufficient to make it into the Top 10. On the worldwide animation facet (i.e., Asian animation), it’s even worse, with only a few movies even making it into the weekly Top 10. It’s positively one of many weakest years for the style in Netflix’s historical past.

Most Watched International Netflix Movies of 2024

1. Under Paris (73.8M) – France
2. Society of the Snow (57.8M) – Spain
3. The Platform 2 (36.9M) – Spain
4. Colors of Evil: Red (36.6M) – Poland
5. Badland Hunters (36.5M) – South Korea
6. The Tearsmith (36.4M) – Italy
7. The Abyss (34.2M) – Norway
8. The Wages of Fear (33.4M) – France
9. Family Pack (31.6M) – France
10. Vanished into the Night (31.3M) – Italy

If one pattern stands out in 2024, it’s that worldwide successes rival English-language movies in viewership, as the highest two movies within the worldwide Top 10 might have simply made it into the English-language Top 10. First and foremost, the hit of the 12 months, Under Paris, takes the lead with 73.8M CVEs in its first 14 days, sufficient to make it the sixth most-watched Netflix movie of the 12 months throughout all classes.

Behind that, JA Bayona has achieved one thing uncommon: each vital and business success along with his Society of the Snow. The sequel to The Platform underperformed a bit in comparison with the success of the primary movie, however French movies carried out nicely, as did Italian movies, in a Top 10 largely dominated by Europe, with just one title outdoors this geographical space—Badland Hunters from South Korea. However, the nation may have its second of glory later in a future class.

No movies from Latin America or Africa are within the Top 10, although they’ve achieved first rate scores within the English-language Top 10, not close to the highest. India additionally appears to be lagging once more, contemplating its potential and the variety of movies Netflix India has launched.

Most Watched Debut English Series of 2024

1. Fool Me Once (61M)
2. The Perfect Couple (47.4M)
3. Griselda (46.3M)
4. Avatar: The Last Airbender (45.7M)
5. The Gentlemen (37.8M)
6. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (37.8M)
7. Nobody Wants This (30.8M)
8. 3 Body Problem (30.7M)
9. Black Doves (28.8M) 
10. The Madness (25.4M)

It’s been a reasonably good 12 months for Netflix’s English-speaking collection, with many robust successes, although no new collection has actually blown up. It’s stable, not extraordinary, with one number-one collection that completely nobody would have guess on this 12 months, specifically the variation of Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben. This isn’t the primary collection tailored from Harlan Coben’s work, however this one actually hit it huge, although we don’t fairly know why. It was launched on January 1, 2024, and has dominated all 12 months lengthy with out every other new collection managing to dislodge it.

In the Top 10, 5 collection have been renewed for added seasons (marked as inexperienced within the graphic above), whereas the opposite 5 have been mini-series. The pattern towards mini-series can be on the rise this 12 months, with now a couple of out of each three U.S. collection being a mini-series, a file since Netflix’s early days with authentic programming.

You may ask, “But where is Baby Reindeer in this Top 10?” and that’s a legitimate query given the hype across the collection when it was launched in March. However, this collection is sort of distinctive in that it solely actually took off round its third week. This signifies that in my rating primarily based on the primary 14 days, it’s solely eleventh (which continues to be good), but when I had used a rating primarily based on the primary 28 days, it will be 2nd, behind Fool Me Once and forward of The Perfect Couple.

Most Watched Returning English Series of 2024

1. Bridgerton Season 3a (76.1M up from earlier seasons)
2. Emily in Paris Season 4a (38.2M down from earlier seasons)
3. Cobra Kai Season 6a (26.4M down)
4. Outer Banks Season 4a (26.3M down)
5. Virgin River Season 6 (19.7M down)
6. The Lincoln Lawyer Season 3 (17.9M up)
7. The Umbrella Academy Season 4 (17.8M down)
8. Vikings: Valhalla Season 3 (13.4M down)
9. The Diplomat Season 2 (13M down)
10. Sweet Tooth Season 3 (12.9M down)

Among the English-speaking collection returning final 12 months, there was Bridgerton and all the pieces else, for the reason that second returning collection, Emily in Paris, solely achieved half the rating of Shonda Rhimes’ collection.

The third season of Bridgerton additionally achieved a small feat by outperforming its earlier season, a distinction solely matched by The Lincoln Lawyer within the Top 10 (and we’re nonetheless ready to seek out out whether or not will probably be renewed for a fourth season). Outer Banks skilled a slight decline, which led to its renewal for a closing season, identical to The Diplomat, whose upcoming third season can be anticipated to be its final.

Most Watched Debut International Series of 2024

1. La Palma (43.9M) – Norway
2. The Accident (24.5M) – Mexico
3. The Asunta Case (20.7M) – Spain
4. Deceitful Love (19.3M) – Italy
5. Raising Voices (18.9M) – Spain
6. Parasyte: The Grey (18.7M) – South Korea
7. The Cage (15.2M) – France
8. The Signal (13.2M) – Germany
9. Furies (12.8M) – France
10. Breathless (12.2M) – Spain

On the worldwide collection facet, the pattern additionally clearly leaned towards mini-series, with 7 mini-series within the Top 10, together with the principle success of 2024, the Norwegian collection La Palma, which garnered practically double the views of the second most-watched new worldwide collection. “Exotic destination” + monsters/pure catastrophe is usually a profitable combo on Netflix.

Among the three collection that aren’t mini-series, a bit of French delight is so as, as The Cage and Furies are the 2 most-watched of the 12 months, and each have been renewed, together with the Spanish collection Breathless, which completes this Top 10.

Most Watched Returning International Series of 2024

1. Squid Game Season 2 (140M* up from the earlier season) – South Korea
2. The Empress Season 2 (13.2M down) – Germany
3. GyeongSeong Creature Season 2 (7.8M down) – South Korea
4. Elite Season 8 (7.6M down) – Spain
5. Wrong Side of the Tracks Season 3 (6.9M down) – Spain
6. The Manny Season 2 (6.4M down) – Mexico
7. Another Self Season 2 (6.1M down) – Turkey
8. Sweet Home Season 3 (6.1M down) – South Korea
9. Good Morning, Veronica Season 3 (5.8M* equal) – Brazil
10. Hellbound Season 2 (5.1M* down) – South Korea

It’s not possible to not point out the tidal wave that’s season 2 of Squid Game, which stands as an enormous amongst different worldwide collection, with practically ten instances extra viewership than the second season within the rating.

I can already see Netflix touting this world success to speak about worldwide hits, however warning is required, because the numbers behind it are comparatively low and, notably, displaying a pointy decline. For instance, season 2 of Hellbound misplaced practically 70% of its viewers in comparison with its first season. Squid Game is thus the tree that hides the forest of worldwide collection that battle to reignite the spark and are dropping viewership season after season. Last 12 months, this was very noticeable with Lupin, and it’s much more evident this 12 months. Apart from Squid Game, the reigning collection on Netflix, there are lots of uncertainties across the titles on this Top 10. Apart from Squid Game, which can return for a closing season, and Wrong Side of the Tracks, which has been renewed (however is a co-production), as of the time I’m writing, we’ve got no information concerning the destiny of collection like The Empress or Another Self.

Most Watched Netflix Animation Series of 2024

1. Jurassic World: Chaos Theory Season 1 (10.2M*)
2. CoComelon Season 10 (9.8M)
3. Bad Dinosaurs (7.6M)
4. Hot Wheels Let’s Race (7.3M)
5. Jurassic World: Chaos Theory Season 2 (6M*)
6. Gabby’s Dollhouse Season 10 (4.9M)
7. Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance (4.9M*)
8. Sonic Prime Season 3 (4.4M*)
9. Exploding Kittens (4.1M*)
10. The Fairly Odd Parents!: A New Wish (4M*)

There’s a typical theme for the most-watched animated collection in 2024. They all come from current and acquainted universes whether or not that’s Jurassic World, CoComelon, Hot Wheels, Sonic, Gabby’s Dollhouse, Exploding Kittens, and The Fairly OddParents.

The solely exception is Bad Dinosaurs, whose creators have said that Netflix selected to not order new episodes after the preliminary season order regardless of the comparatively good numbers for the animated collection. One can perceive why they’re questioning this resolution…

However, a widely known license doesn’t assure success, as seen with the flops, which additionally embrace acquainted names like Tomb Raider: Legend of Lara Croft, The Dragon Prince, Good Times (a reboot of an American live-action collection), and even Barbie Mysteries and Zack Snyder’s Twilight of the Gods.

Most Watched Weekly and Binged Released Reality TV Series of 2024

1. Love is Blind Season 6 (20.4M)
2. Perfect Match Season 2 (12.9M)
3. Love is Blind Season 7 (12.5M)
4. Culinary Class Wars (10.1M)
5. Love is Blind: UK (9.2M)
6. Physical: 100 Season 2 (8.3M)
7. The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On Season 3 (7.5M)
8. Too Hot To Handle Season 6 (6.9M)
9. Outlast Season 2 (5.2M)
10. The Mole Season 2 (4.8M)

2024 was the 12 months of affirmation that for its actuality TV exhibits, Netflix is more and more choosing a weekly launch schedule unfold over 3 or 4 weeks, though it nonetheless releases some in a binge format. I’ve, due to this fact, created a separate rating. In the weekly exhibits class, the unstoppable Love is Blind occupies 3 of the highest 5 spots.

It’s price noting that South Korea has a brand new actuality TV hit with the culinary present Culinary Class Wars, which has achieved wonderful scores. However, there’s a probable drop in retailer for season 2, as was the case with the opposite South Korean present Physical: 100, which misplaced practically 50% of its viewers between its first and second seasons.

Finally, transferring on to the binge releases, there have been virtually no main hits. Selling Sunset nonetheless did the job with its eighth season, nevertheless it’s dropping viewers with every new season, so the tip is probably going in sight.

1. Selling Sunset Season 8 (8.6M)
2. Is It Cake: Holiday (7.3M*)
3. Love on the Spectrum US Season 2 (6.2M*)
4. Selling the OC Season 3 (5.7M*)
5. I Am Gerogina Season 3 (5.5M)
6. Owning Manhattan (5M*)
7. Is It Cake? Season 3 (4.4M*)
8. Buying Beverly Hills Season 2 (4M*)
9. The Later Daters (3.7M*)
10. Love is Blind: Habibi (3.4M*)

Most Watched Documentaries on Netflix in 2024

See additionally our listing of the hottest documentaries and docuseries in 2024.

1. What Jennifer Did (36.5M) 
2. The Menendez Brothers (29.6M)
3. Lover Stalker Killer (27.5M)
4. The Lost Children (17.8M)
5. Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter (17.3M*)
6. The Greatest Night in Pop (17M)
7. Einstein and the Bomb (16.9M*)
8. Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare (14.8M*)
9. Jailbreak: Love on the Run (14.5M*)
10. Martha (13.1M*)

True crime, true crime, true crime. The years cross, however the formulation stays: True crime continues to be the driving power behind probably the most profitable documentaries on Netflix. The high 5 documentaries on the listing are all true crime, and 7 of the highest ten are true crime.

History and music additionally made their mark, and maybe extra surprisingly, the documentary on Martha Stewart’s life additionally made the annual Top 10.

Most Watched Documentary Series on Netflix in 2024

1. American Nightmare (36.5M)
2. American Murder: Laci Paterson (24.5M)
3. Testament: The Story of Moses (20M)
4. Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey (18M)
5. Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal (16.8M)
6. Worst Ex Ever (16.8M)
7. Dancing For The Devil: The 7M TikTook Cult (16.5M)
8. This Is The Zodiac Speaking (13.9M)
9. The Man With 1000 Kids (12.9M*)
10. Homicide New York (12.2M*)

As with documentaries, true crime reigns supreme among the many most-watched docuseries, with a spiritual docuseries (which is probably going to not be the final of its variety) additionally making its mark. 

Article incorporates contributions and edits from Kasey Moore.

What did you consider Netflix’s 2024 slate? Let us know within the feedback down beneath.