Netflix is the biggest streaming platform in the world, releasing dozens of new shows every quarter, and many popular shows returning in 2024, all competing for a coveted top 10 spot. Netflix continues to produce high-quality content at an incredible pace, competing with the largest studios in Hollywood. The platform has released shows that have received Primetime Emmys, Oscars, and a vast collection of other accolades. With Netflix currently boasting more than 260 million paying subscribers, and leading the streaming market (via Forbes), it’s worth looking ahead to what shows the platform is releasing in 2024.
Since the end of the Hollywood strikes, Netflix and other platforms have promised more transparency regarding their content and viewing numbers, which provides an interesting insight into what gets the most attention on Netflix. 2024 is set to be another big year for Netflix bringing back some incredibly popular shows that have amassed hundreds of millions of viewing hours, and also some new shows which are expected to land on the platform soon. However, not every Netflix show is a hit, but many of the following have proven successful with multiple seasons already garnering large viewing numbers.
10 3 Body Problem
March 21, 2024
3 Body Problem
3 Body Problem is a Netflix original series from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with Alexander Woo. Based on the novel of the same name by Liu Cixin, 3 Body Problem centers on a detective who joins forces with a group of scientists after an unknown force begins killing scientists around the world.
- Where To Watch
- Netflix
The 3 Body Problem is an upcoming sci-fi series based on the award-winning novel by Liu Cixin, The Three-Body Problem. Netflix has been hit or miss with some original sci-fi shows, but sci-fi and fantasy based on popular book series have tended to generate a strong number of views and often receive at least three seasons. Shows like The Witcher, Shadow and Bone, and Bridgerton are all examples of popular books adapted to a series which got strong viewership in early seasons (via Netflix), so it is likely 3 Body Problem could enjoy similar success upon release.
9 Birdgerton (Season 3)
Part 1: May 16, 2024, Part 2: June 13, 2024
Bridgerton
From Shondaland and creator Chris Van Dusen, Netflix’s Bridgerton is based on the romance novels of the same name by author Julia Quinn. The series follows the eight Bridgerton siblings, Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth, as they search for love during the social season and navigate life in Regency-era England.
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
Bridgerton season 1 and season 2 are both in the top 10 rankings for most watched English language shows of all time on the platform (via Netflix), so the trend is likely to continue with Bridgerton season 3. The popular romance and historical fiction series quickly climbed the ranks when it first appeared in 2020, and now just a few years later, the show is heading into its third season. Major plot threads are expected to be explored in season 3, bringing its large following back for the next outing.
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8 The Umbrella Academy (Season 4)
August 8, 2024
The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy is based on the comic book of the same name created by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá. The Hargreeves — collectively known as The Umbrella Academy — were born with superpowers, and their adoptive father utilized their abilities. However, as they grew older, the siblings grew apart as they dealt with their trauma. They are brought back together after their father dies and Five returns from the future with grave news: The world will end, and The Umbrella Academy has to stop it before it happens.
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
The Umbrella Academy is set to release its final season in August 2024, and throughout the show’s running, the series has enjoyed immense success on Netflix. Based on a comic book series by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, the show has consistently appeared in the top 10 after each season’s release, with the latest season beating out the hugely popular Stranger Things for total hours watched (via Deadline). Considering the immense popularity of the series and season 4 being the swan song, it’s likely that The Umbrella Academy will pull in big numbers once again.
7 The Diplomat (Season 2)
2024
The Diplomat
The Diplomat is a Netflix drama/thriller series that tells the story of a career diplomat named Laura Simmonds as she wrestles with the complexities of her new job as ambassador to the U.K. As Laura attempts to acclimate to her high-profile, high-stress job, her marriage, and personal life begin to suffer in the midst of an international crisis.
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
The political thriller, The Diplomat, enjoyed incredible success with its premier season in 2023, and the show is set to return for season 2 in 2024. The show was released around a similar time as The Night Agent, which was even more successful, and The Diplomat managed to dethrone the series from its top spot on the weekly charts (via Screen Rant). The incredible success of the series led to the show being renewed for a second season just two weeks after it was released on the platform, which suggests that Netflix was impressed with the viewing figures.
6 Cobra Kai (Season 6)
2024
Cobra Kai
Set decades after the events of the Karate Kid franchise, Cobra Kai shifts gears and puts viewers into the perspective of a former rival/antagonist, Johnny Lawrence. In his 50s and down on his luck, a chance encounter with a bullied young man leads Johnny back to Karate. Agreeing to help him, Johnny takes the opportunity to revive his former home, the Cobra Kai dojo – becoming a refuge for outcast teens.
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
Another show set to embark on its final season in 2024 is Cobra Kai. The spin-off series which picks up decades after the events of The Karate Kid has successfully revived the franchise, leading to the production of a new Karate Kid movie. When Cobra Kai season 5 was released in late 2022, it faced stiff competition, but it managed to hold a significant lead and rack up a massive 1.7 billion viewing minutes in just a few days (via Variety). The final season is likely to pull similar figures, especially as it leads into the upcoming movie.
5 Emily In Paris (Season 4)
2024
Emily in Paris
Netflix’s Emily In Paris is a comedy series starring Lily Collins as Emily Cooper, a college graduate who travels from Chicago to Paris when she lands a one-in-a-lifetime job opportunity that allows her to enjoy French culture and glamour while she overhauls a local marketing firm. From the mind of Beverly Hills 90210 and Sex and the City creator Darren Star, Emily In Paris takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the cultural differences between the United States and France.
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
The dramedy series starring Lily Collins, Emily in Paris, has had a great deal of success on Netflix throughout the first three seasons. With each additional season increasing awareness of the series, season 3 was able to hold on to a number 2 ranking on the top 10 leaderboard when it was released, narrowly losing out to the all-time most watched English language series on Netflix, Wednesday (via Deadline). With it’s 2024 release window, Emily in Paris season 4 won’t have to compete with Wednesday for the top spot, and could top the leaderboard upon release.
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4 Sweet Tooth (Season 3)
2024
Sweet Tooth
Based on the comic series of the same name, Sweet Tooth is set in the not-too-distant future, post-apocalyptic United States in the wake of a devastating viral pandemic. After the disease decimated the world’s population, some children began to be born with human and animal hybrid characteristics. Many people are afraid of the hybrids, believing them to be the cause of the virus. When his father is killed, a young deer hybrid named Gus (Christian Convery) embarks on a quest to find his mother with the help of a traveler and loner named Tommy Jeppard (Nonso Anozie).
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix , Prime Video , Apple TV+
Sweet Tooth is a series based on a comic series about a dystopian future where some babies have been born with an odd mutation. The first two seasons have been able to garner success on Netflix, with season 2 ranking as the 28th highest viewed project in 2023 (via Netflix). Sweet Tooth season 3 will also be the last, concluding the story of Gus and his attempts to live free of scared humans who wish him dead. As the concluding chapter, it is likely to see strong viewing figures and potentially become one of the most watched shows in 2024.
3 The Night Agent (Season 2)
2024
The Night Agent
The Night Agent is a Netflix original series based on the novel by Matthew Quirk. The show centers on a young entry-level FBI agent named Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) who handles a hotline in the basement of the White House that never rings. When the phone finally does, Peter finds himself embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy that climbs all the way to the top.
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
The Night Agent was a surprise success with its first season earning it a place among the top 10 all-time viewed shows on Netflix (via Netflix). After just one week on the platform, the show was renewed for a second season and, in an incredibly quick turnaround, season 2 is expected to land on Netflix sometime in 2024. The action thriller joins a growing number of popular shows in that genre to garner attention and appears to be Netflix’s strongest competitor against similar shows like The Recruit, Bodyguard, and The Terminal List.
2 Squid Game (Season 2)
2024
Squid Game
In Squid Game, a mysterious invitation to join a competition is sent to people at risk who are in dire need of money. Four hundred fifty-six participants from all walks of life are locked into a secret location where they play games to win 45.6 billion won. Games are selected from traditional Korean children’s games, such as Red Light and Green Light, but the consequence of losing is death. To survive, competitors must choose their alliances carefully – but the further they go in the competition, the more likely betrayal will rear its ugly head.
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
In 2021, Squid Game made history on Netflix by quickly becoming a global sensation which resonated with audiences around the world. The show became the all-time most viewed series on Netflix (via Netflix), depicting a murderous game show where people are forced to compete and potentially win a life-changing prize. The series exploded in popularity and in the final episode of season 1, it ended with a tease for the next season. 2024 will finally continue the story, and will very likely see massive viewing numbers just like the premiere season.
1 Arcane (Season 2)
2024
Arcane
Set in the League of Legends universe, Arcane focuses on sisters Violet and Powder (later Jinx) as they end up on opposite sides of a growing conflict between the wealthy utopia of Piltover and its dark undercity whose citizens wish to break away from their oppressors. Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, and Kevin Alejandro star in this animated adventure.
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
Arcane is potentially an outlier, as a show which quickly entered the top 10 and was knocked out soon after. Despite this, the show has consistently had strong viewing numbers since season 1 dropped, which could indicate the audience has grown considerably over time. In addition, Forbes has reported the many ways that Arcane set unprecedented records for Netflix with incredibly high ratings. The animated action adventure series may have been lesser known, but considering these additional factors, it’s possible Arcane season 2 will have a strong turnout, and earn it a place in the highest viewed shows of 2024.
