Netflix‘s viewership data for 2025’s TV shows interestingly reveals that almost half of the top 10 most-watched series on the streamer have one thing in common. While many complex factors contribute to a show’s success in the streaming era, the shared trait between several successful shows on Netflix seems to tell an intriguing story.

Like most years, 2025 has been an incredible year for Netflix as the giant has only grown from strength to strength in its streaming domination. As many viewers would already know, Netflix has not only managed to deliver widely successful English-language shows but has also reigned supreme globally with non-English shows like Squid Game.

By dipping its feet into myriad genres and allowing a diverse set of stories to be told, Netflix has created the perfect formula for itself to maintain its stance as a leading streaming service. However, a closer look at the most successful shows on the platform in 2025 suggests there is more to Netflix’s success than meets the eye.

Four Of The Top 10 Most-Watched Netflix Shows In 2025 Are Limited Series

Five Of The Top 11 Also Maintain The Trend

Official viewership data from Netflix reveals that, in 2025, Adolescence has been the most-watched series on the platform with a whopping view count of 145 million. The four-episode series is followed by seasons 2 and 3 of Squid Game, which boast view counts of 117 million and 72 million, respectively.

Zero Day, Missing You, American Murder: Gabby Petito Season 1, Ms. Rachel Season 1, Sirens, The Night Agent Season 2, and Ginny & Georgia Season 3 are all next in line, with each having a solid place in Netflix’s top 10 shows for the year. Interestingly, the list reveals that four shows from the top 10 list are limited series.

Zero Day, Missing You, Sirens, and Adolescence are all one-season shows that will not extend their narrative beyond their opening installments. Given how Adolescence only has four episodes, it seems unfair to even call it a full-fledged limited series. Even the 11th most-viewed show, American Primeval, continues the trend with its limited format, proving that miniseries perform really well on Netflix.

Why Limited Series Would Do So Well On Netflix

They Demand Short-Term Commitment From Viewers

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why limited series have performed so well on Netflix is that viewers can watch them without making long-term commitments. Netflix has a long history of prematurely ending shows before they reach their natural conclusions. Even when they are renewed, it often takes them several years to return with a new installment.

With miniseries, viewers do not have to worry about cancellations or delayed follow-ups because they promise to deliver a well-rounded and conclusive story in one season itself. Often, limited series also have notable casts as their leads since many high-profile actors prefer not to be tied down with one show for several years.

Given how Stranger Things season 5 and Wednesday season 2 are also scheduled to be released later this year, the top 10 list will likely have more follow-ups soon. However, the impressive performance of so many limited series on Netflix proves that audiences prefer shows with low commitment and high reward over drawn-out narratives that may never reach a satisfying pay-off.