Most Watched TV Shows 2025

Wondering which series actually pulled the biggest audiences this year? Our most watched TV shows 2025 roundup ranks the ten programs that dominated worldwide screens—spanning Netflix blockbusters, broadcast network surprises, and streaming sleepers. These top TV series 2025 prove that appointment viewing is alive and well, whether you binge on your phone or tune in on cable.

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Squid Game – 27.1 Million Views

Season 2 of the South-Korean survival thriller took the crown for most watched TV show of 2025 by racking up 27.1 million cross-platform viewers in 35 days and smashing its own debut-week records with 68 million streams. Netflix’s headline series returned after a three-year wait with higher stakes, sharper social commentary, and viral fan theories that kept “Squid Game Season 2” trending in 92 countries. Its jaw-dropping set pieces, new children’s-game twists, and universal theme of economic desperation cemented its status as the year’s ultimate global viewership phenomenon.

Adolescence – 19 Million Views

This British limited series exploded into a surprise sensation, drawing 19 million viewers in its first month and sprinting toward a projected 140 million total Netflix views—making it one of the top TV shows 2025. The four one-shot episodes, each told in real time, follow a 13-year-old murder suspect and expose online bullying’s dark underbelly. Word of mouth, a 99 percent critics’ score, and government-endorsed school screenings turned Adolescence into essential streaming hit 2025 viewing across the globe.

Tracker – 17.4 Million Views

CBS proved broadcast TV still packs a punch with Tracker, which averaged 17.4 million viewers after premiering in the coveted post-Super-Bowl slot. Justin Hartley’s lone-wolf survivalist solves missing-person mysteries for reward money, blending weekly procedural thrills with serialized backstory. The action-driven format, big stunts, and network reach made Tracker the year’s top U.S. broadcast entry in the global TV ratings 2025 conversation.

Reacher – 17.3 Million Views

Amazon Prime Video’s adaptation of Lee Child’s novels stayed on the most watched TV shows leaderboard by pulling 17.3 million viewers per episode and logging 6.6 billion streaming minutes in March. Alan Ritchson’s charismatic Jack Reacher, brutal fight choreography, and rapid-fire season drops gave Prime one of its flagship streaming hits 2025, proving audiences still love a classic no-nonsense action hero.

High Potential – 16.1 Million Views

ABC’s lighthearted remake of the French comedy-drama HPI scored 16.1 million multiplatform viewers. Kaitlin Olson plays a single mom with genius-level IQ who outsmarts criminals while navigating chaotic family life. Its warm tone, weekly mysteries, and clever humor offered a refreshing break from darker fare, making it a feel-good addition to the most watched TV shows 2025 list.

Matlock – 16.0 Million Views

The beloved courtroom classic returned with Kathy Bates as defense lawyer Madeline “Matty” Matlock and quickly attracted 16 million viewers. Nostalgia, witty scripts, and Bates’s gravitas blended retro comfort with fresh cases, demonstrating the enduring appeal of a well-crafted legal drama in the modern top TV series 2025 lineup.

Landman – 15.8 Million Views

From hit-maker Taylor Sheridan, this Paramount+ drama about West Texas oil “roughnecks and wildcat billionaires” lured 15.8 million viewers. Star power (Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Hamm, Demi Moore), gritty storytelling, and Yellowstone-style frontier ethos made Landman a breakout streaming hit 2025, driving new subscribers and a swift season renewal.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story – 15.7 Million Views

Ryan Murphy’s true-crime anthology kept viewers riveted with its dramatization of the infamous Beverly Hills murders, amassing 15.7 million views and 97.5 million hours watched in its first days. Controversy over dramatizing real-life killers only fueled buzz, confirming true crime’s dominance among the most watched TV shows globally.

Zero Day – 15.7 Million Views

Robert De Niro’s series debut in this six-episode Netflix political thriller matched the Menendez numbers at 15.7 million viewers. A cyber-attack conspiracy, Oscar-worthy gravitas, and binge-worthy pacing thrust Zero Day into the upper echelon of top TV shows 2025 while sparking water-cooler debates on misinformation and national security.

Nobody Wants This – 15.2 Million Views

Defying its title, this romantic comedy starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody charmed 15.2 million viewers with sharp wit and heartfelt chemistry. The culture-clash love story between a viral podcaster and a young rabbi became an instant streaming hit 2025, showing that audiences still adore smart, feel-good rom-coms amid darker prestige dramas.

Which shows have you watched?

From Squid Game’s record-smashing return to the broadcast resurgence of Tracker, the most watched TV shows 2025 prove that big audiences now flow seamlessly between streaming services and traditional networks. Whether driven by nostalgia (Matlock), gripping true crime (Monsters), or high-octane action (Reacher), each entry underscores the power of compelling storytelling to capture massive global viewership in an on-demand era. Add these top TV series 2025 to your watchlist and join millions of fans who made them the year’s must-see hits.

FAQ

What is the No. 1 most watched TV show 2025 worldwide?

Squid Game Season 2 leads the global ranking with 27.1 million viewers in its first 35 days and record-breaking streams across 92 countries.

Which platforms host the top TV series 2025 list?

The ranking spans Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, CBS, ABC, and other major platforms, reflecting both streaming and broadcast dominance.

How are the most watched TV shows measured for this list?

Shows are ranked by total global viewership, combining verified streaming minutes, Nielsen cross-platform ratings, and official platform reports.

Did broadcast TV make the top TV shows 2025 lineup?

Yes—CBS’s Tracker and ABC’s High Potential proved network TV can still draw massive audiences alongside streaming juggernauts.

Why do true-crime dramas remain among the most watched series 2025?

True-crime shows like Monsters: The Menendez Story tap into real-life intrigue, social media buzz, and binge-worthy storytelling that drive huge global viewership.