Adolescene is second only to this global hit on Netflix’s most-watched list

The global streaming platform Netflix is all set to discontinue its biannual What We Watched reports, which were first introduced in December 2023. Instead, the streamer will now release yearly insights for the creators, investors, and viewers.

Since 2021, Netflix has released viewership counts through its Weekly Top 10 and Most Popular list reports. The streaming platform claims that the engagement is measured not only by the number of hours watched but also by the quality of the viewers' experience. The What We Watched report for the January to July 2026 cycle features popular shows such as His & Hers, Bridgerton Season 4, I Will Find You, and Stranger Things Season 5. Meanwhile, the movie list includes War Machine, The Rip, Swapped, Kpop Demon Hunters, and Swapped.

Ever wondered what Netflix series have made it to the most-watched list in recent years? According to Deadline, Adolescence, the British psychological drama, has secured the second position with 171.6 million views. Only Squid Game Season 2 is ahead of Adolescence and has bagged the first spot with over 225 million views. Here's more about it.

Netflix's most-watched list: Squid Game, Adolescence, and more

Squid Game Season 2

According to a report by Deadline, Squid Game Season 2 has garnered over 225.4 million views and has secured the first position on the list. This South Korean dystopian survival thriller drama first premiered on September 17, 2021, became a global hit, and bagged six Primetime Emmy Awards and one Golden Globe. After a long wait of three years, Season 2 of Squid Game dropped on December 26, 2024.

Created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the series follows a secret contest where 456 players who are struggling economically risk their lives to play a series of children's games that result in death if they are eliminated. Out of desperation, curiosity, and greed, the participants fight to win the tempting prize.

Squid Game Season 2 was a massive success, mainly due to the popularity of the debut season, which built a global fanbase. It also brought back Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hoon, among others, and introduced new characters and deadly games, eventually increasing its viewership.

Adolescence

This multi-award-winning British psychological crime drama series secured the second position on Netflix's most-watched list with 171.6 million views.

Created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, the series centres on the life of a 13-year-old schoolboy, Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who gets arrested for murdering a schoolmate, Katie Leonard. The series was shot in one continuous motion. It premiered on March 13, 2025, and soon received worldwide acclaim for its direction, writing, cast performances, and cinematography. The series also exposes the dangerous impact of social media on young minds.

Adolescence ranks second in Netflix's Top 10 Most Popular Shows of All Time, behind Wednesday Season 1. The ranking is based on global viewership in the first 91 days of release.

Squid Game Season 3

The final season of Squid Game garnered 155.8 million views (Image Via YouTube/@Netflix)

Squid Game Season 3 premiered on June 27, 2025, and garnered massive viewership. The final season eventually became the third-biggest series to be released in the last four years, with 155.8 million views.

Turns out, the three seasons of Squid Game have garnered almost half a billion views for Netflix. Season 2 ended on an emotional note, with Gi-hun grieving the death of his closest friend, Jung-bae, and the failure of the rebellion. Squid Game Season 3, according to Hwang Dong-hyuk, was based on (via Tudum):

"how Gi-hun returns to the game arena and faces the challenges and games ahead. The story focuses on Seong Gi-hun’s transformation and how he overcomes what comes his way.”

Other series that have made it to Netflix's most-watched list are: