Every year Netflix releases several shows but not every series manages to be a hit or part of the mainstream. Some shows receive such critical acclaim and success that Netflix renews them for more seasons and with time each season proves to be better and attracts more attention than the last. Some shows that have managed to do so are:
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Squid Games:
Released last year on September 17th, 2021, the South Korean drama series caught the attention of several viewers. The show had been viewed for a total of 1.6 billion hours in the first four weeks of its release – higher than any show before. Squid Games is a survival drama that manages to tackle a series of issues such as capitalism and class disparity in South Korea while still keeping the entertainment factor as the show revolves around a contest. With each passing episode, viewers get more and more intrigued about who will win and who will lose their life as the contest consists of quite literally deadly games. Due to the success of the first season, Netflix picked Squid Games for season 2 which is expected to release around 2024.
Bridgerton:
Released in December 2020, Bridgerton quickly became a fan-favorite television series. Based on the book series by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton is a period drama and within its first four weeks was viewed for 625 million hours – making it the most English language watched series of that year. It also was a debut show that made it to number 1 in 92 countries. The success of the first season comprising of eight episodes led to the show being renewed for four more seasons with the second season being released on March 25, 2022. The second season surpassed the viewings of the first season and has been viewed for 627.11 hours. The drama revolves around the eight Bridgerton series and each season focuses on a sibling trying to find love during the competitive regency era in London.
Money Heist:
The hit Spanish show made its debut in 2017 and aired till December 2021. The fourth season of the series was the most-watched with it being viewed for 619 million hours in the first four weeks of its release. However, not just the fourth season but all the seasons managed to be number 1 for at least a month in several countries, in the year of their release. Seeing how invested the audience was, Netflix also released two documentaries related to the series – its writers, producers, and the cast. The series revolves around two different heists and is narrated through the perspective of the robbers and the problems they faced in carrying out the heists. The series became so popular in both Pakistan and foreign countries that its title track, “Bella Ciao” was even played at desi weddings and several people dressed up as the robbers on occasions like Halloween.
Stranger Things:
Strangers Things is one of the most popular shows on Netflix. With its final season being released this year, fans anticipate the biggest season yet. The first season came out in 2016 and since then two more seasons have been released with each season breaking the record of the previous one. Season 3 was released in July 2019 and in the first month had been viewed for 582 million hours. Not only that but a Netflix report showed that over 40.7 million accounts worldwide finished watching the first eight episodes in the first week of its release. Strangers Things is a science fiction drama based on the fictional town of Hawkins where one Halloween a boy disappears and then suddenly supernatural events begin to occur around the town. The audience found the show refreshing for its new mystery storyline, the visuals, and the new cast which consisted of mostly teenagers – all of who have quickly risen to fame. The show is critically acclaimed having won several awards.
The Witcher:
The first season of the fantasy drama series was released in 2019 and is one of the most-watched seasons on Netflix. Based on a book series, the show stars Henry Cavill and this smart casting along with the success of the books helped in getting the television series the attention it deserves. The first season was viewed for 541 million hours, just behind the third season of Stranger Things. The show revolves around the story of a Princess who is destined to meet Geralt of Rivia and the series of events that follow after their initial interaction. The series was applauded for its visuals of the fantasy elements, the closeness to the books, and the cinematography. A second season was released in 2021 and its success led to the renewal of the third season. There is also a video game revolving around the series.
13 Reasons Why:
Initially based on the book by Jay Asher, 13 reasons why quickly became a popular show on Netflix. The first season followed the events of the book and was viewed for 476 million hours in the first month of its release. Seeing its success Netflix decided to renew the show for three more seasons with a completely new storyline that narrated events that followed the book. Season 2 was also a success and got more viewings than the first season as it was viewed for 496 million hours. The show followed the story of Hannah Baker, a young girl who commits suicide and leaves thirteen tapes behind each tape naming a person and an event that had pushed her to that point. The teen drama was controversial for some of its portrayals but still one that many teenagers related to and that was one of the reasons behind its popularity. By the fourth season, the audience was still not ready to say goodbye to the characters they loved.
YOU:
The psychological thriller series is based on the books by Caroline Kepnes. Originally a lifetime show, the series got renewed for seasons 2 and 3 on moved to Netflix. Season 2 aired in 2019 and was viewed for 457 million hours while the next season which premiered in 2021 did even better and was viewed for 468 million hours. The series revolves around Joe Goldberg, who is looking for love and is even willing to murder for it. The success of the previous series along with the compelling storyline has also led to the show being renewed for a season 4.
