Ranked: The shows which stayed at number one on Netflix for the longest time ever

The top 10 list and what’s at number one on Netflix is one of the only ways we truly know who is watching what shows, worldwide. Only the best films and series make it there – and it’s used as the real indication that a title is god-tier television. A whole range of shows make it there, in the spot that is reserved for the dizzy heights of Bridgerton success, or 365 Days levels of getting the whole world to pause and see what all the fuss is about.

FlixPatrol tracks streaming ratings worldwide, and looks into how well Netflix shows perform. One of the variables the site monitors is the most popular movies and TV shows on Netflix by the number of days ranked at number one worldwide. Here is the full ranking.

12. Bridgerton – 17 days

via Netflix

Bridgerton has become the most watched series on Netflix, ever. It stayed in the top 10 list in various places for what seemed like forever, but it was in number one worldwide for 17 days following its Christmas 2020 release. I guess we really do burn for The Duke.

11. The Last Dance – 17 days

via Netflix

The Last Dance just equals Bridgerton, having spent 17 days in number one worldwide. The 10-part documentary tells the untold story of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty.

10. Emily in Paris – 19 days

via Netflix

As much as we slated it, we all still watched every second of Emily Cooper as she “revolutionised” social and PR in Paris. Pure trash, but worldwide we soaked it up more than any other show for 19 days.

9. Lucifer – 21 days

via Netflix

Devilish Lucifer consumed everyone’s Netflix viewing for an impressive three weeks. There’s just something about Lucifer Morningstar that we can’t get enough of, isn’t there?

8. The Umbrella Academy – 21 days

via Netflix

The Umbrella Academy is the second of four shows which stayed at number one on Netflix for three whole weeks. The series follows a dysfunctional family of superheroes which comes together to solve the mystery of their father’s death, the threat of the apocalypse and more.

7. Lupin – 21 days

via Netflix

French mystery series, Lupin, was released in January 2021. The world-famous gentleman thief and master of disguise is now a household name all over the world. The show is one of the most watched on Netflix ever in terms of number of people, as well as for how long it managed to fight off any competition at number one.

6. Money Heist – 21 days

via Netflix

Money Heist seems to get people talking whenever new episodes are released, and without fail it goes straight into the top 10 and the number one spot. The series is set in the Mediterranean and all about sex, drugs and drama. The Netflix synopsis says: “Eight thieves take hostages and lock themselves in the Royal Mint of Spain as a criminal mastermind manipulates the police to carry out his plan.”

5. Ginny and Georgia – 25 days

via Netflix

Ginny and Georgia has become one of Netflix’s most successful coming-of-age, teen dramas to date. It was watched by a huge 52 million households, and stayed at number one across the entire world for an impressive streak of 25 days.

4. Sex/Life – 26 days

via Netflix

The world (literally) went mad for Sex/Life. Did we all watch episode three straight for 26 days? Maybe.

3. Who Killed Sara? – 26 days

via Netflix

Who Killed Sara? is a Spanish thriller series about Alex, who after being framed for his sister’s murder, is hell-bent on exacting revenge and finding the real culprit. It’s been a hit worldwide, clearly, with the third longest streak at number one.

2. 365 Days – 31 days

via Netflix

Despite 365 Days being absolutely slated on Rotten Tomatoes, the viewers seemed to love it – keeping it in the number one spot on Netflix worldwide for an entire month. I wonder why? Maybe it was people watching the yacht scene over and over again? Just a guess.

1. The Queen’s Gambit – 46 Days

via Netflix

If you’d have said before that a show about chess was going to be one of Netflix’s most successful yet and stay in the top spot worldwide for a month and a half, you’d have got some choice looks. But here we are, one The Queen’s Gambit later. The show set the record as the most-watched scripted limited series on Netflix to date.

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