Netflix: The most-watched movies and TV shows of 2021, from Red Notice to Sweet Tooth

We’ve collated previously announced figures to work out this year’s top 10

Wednesday 24 November 2021 07:44 EST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Netflix’s top 10 list of 2021 is a mix bag of high-quality TV shows and not-so-great movies.

The streaming service continued to prove itself as a force to be reckoned with this year thanks to several new releases making their way onto Netflix’s most-watched of all-time rankings.

In September, Squid Game overtook 2020 series Bridgerton to become the streamer’s most-watched title ever.

Despite the fact that Netflix is yet to release a top 10 list for 2021, The Independent has collated previously announced figures to collate a list revealing the most-watched shows and movies of the year so far.

It is worth noting that Netflix considers a viewer to be someone who watches two minutes of a title, an amount of time they say is “long enough to indicate the choice was intentional”.

1. Squid Game (142m)

2. Lupin part one (76m)

3. Money Heist season five (69m)

4. Maid (67m)