The most popular TV shows to stream right now
The most popular TV shows to stream right now
When Netflix launched its streaming service in 2007, it changed the way we consume television, but it wasn't until 2013 that the platform completely reinvented the industry by morphing into its own film and television studio. That same year, Netflix released its first original series, "House of Cards." The political drama became the first original streaming series to win an Emmy, and set the stage for an entertainment revolution.
Today, the number of streaming services is staggering—and the amount of content options is downright overwhelming. Gone are the days of live-tweeting during season finales and hosting viewing parties for a big premiere, as we grow accustomed to binge-watching shows from the comfort of our own couch at whatever time we choose.
This access has flipped the television industry on its head. According to a 2024 poll by Forbes Home, 99% of American households subscribe to at least one streaming service and spend an average of $46 per month on streaming service fees. As streaming reigns supreme, however, it's starting to take on characteristics of cable TV. That same poll reported that 45% of users have canceled at least one subscription in the past year due to high costs, and platforms are responding by teaming up for bundled deals à la the age of cable. Companies like Disney are even experimenting with continuous TV-style channels on their platform to increase visibility and revenue through ads.
As the streaming juggernaut continues to swell, growing pains are bound to happen. There will be changes—some positive and some annoying—but one thing's for sure: streaming is here to stay, and there are a lot of shows to choose from. So how do you pick?
Massive hits like "Squid Game," "Stranger Things," and "The Handmaid's Tale" are returning with new seasons in 2024 and 2025, but every week, new series are premiering and old favorites are launching on platforms.
Using data from Reelgood, Stacker compiled a list of the most popular TV shows to stream right now as of Oct. 4, 2024. IMDb ratings and other data points were added for supplementary insights. Keep reading to find your new binge-worthy series or revisit an old favorite.
#20. Colin from Accounts
- IMDb user rating: 8.1 (11K reviews)
- Seasons: 2
- Genres: Drama and Comedy
- Cast: Patrick Brammall, Harriet Dyer, and Genevieve Hegney
- On air: 2023-present
#19. Tulsa King
- IMDb user rating: 8 (78K reviews)
- Seasons: 2
- Genres: Comedy and Drama
- Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Martin Starr, and Jay Will
- On air: 2022-present
#18. Murder in a Small Town
- IMDb user rating: 7 (686 reviews)
- Streaming on: Hulu (subscription)
- Seasons: 1
- Genres: Crime and Drama
- Cast: Rossif Sutherland, Kristin Kreuk, and Mya Lowe
- On air: 2024-present
#17. Uzumaki
- IMDb user rating: 8.7 (857 reviews)
- Streaming on: MAX (subscription)
- Seasons: 2
- Genres: Horror and Anime
- Cast: Katsutoshi Matsuzaki, Ami Fukushima, and Haruyasu Makino
- On air: 2024-present
#16. Downton Abbey
- IMDb user rating: 8.7 (228K reviews)
- Seasons: 7
- Genres: Romance and Drama
- Cast: Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, and Laura Carmichael
- On air: 2010-2016
#15. Brilliant Minds
- IMDb user rating: 6.8 (798 reviews)
- Streaming on: Peacock Premium (subscription)
- Seasons: 1
- Genre: Drama
- Cast: Zachary Quinto, Tamberla Perry, and Ashleigh LaThrop
- On air: 2024-present
#14. Slow Horses
- IMDb user rating: 8.2 (83K reviews)
- Streaming on: Apple TV+ (subscription)
- Seasons: 4
- Genres: Comedy and Drama
- Cast: Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, and Kristin Scott Thomas
- On air: 2022-present
#13. Monsters
- IMDb user rating: 7.9 (170K reviews)
- Streaming on: Netflix (subscription)
- Seasons: 2
- Genres: Biography and Drama
- Cast: Javier Bardem, Chloë Sevigny, and Cooper Koch
- On air: 2022-2024
#12. The Perfect Couple
- IMDb user rating: 6.5 (37K reviews)
- Streaming on: Netflix (subscription)
- Seasons: 1
- Genres: Drama and Crime
- Cast: Nicole Kidman, Eve Hewson, and Liev Schreiber
- On air: 2024-2024
#11. The Old Man
- IMDb user rating: 7.6 (52K reviews)
- Streaming on: Hulu (subscription)
- Seasons: 2
- Genres: Drama and Action & Adventure
- Cast: Jeff Bridges, John Lithgow, and Alia Shawkat
- On air: 2022-present
#10. Mr. McMahon
- IMDb user rating: 7.8 (3K reviews)
- Streaming on: Netflix (subscription)
- Seasons: 1
- Genre: Documentary
- Cast: Vince McMahon, Dwayne Johnson, and John Cena
- On air: 2024-2024
#9. Saturday Night Live
- IMDb user rating: 8 (53K reviews)
- Streaming on: Peacock Premium (subscription)
- Seasons: 50
- Genres: Music and Comedy
- Cast: Kenan Thompson, Darrell Hammond, and Seth Meyers
- On air: 1975-present
#8. Agatha All Along
- IMDb user rating: 6.8 (16K reviews)
- Streaming on: Disney+ (subscription)
- Seasons: 1
- Genres: Drama and Fantasy
- Cast: Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, and Sasheer Zamata
- On air: 2024-present
#7. Matlock
- IMDb user rating: 7.6 (1K reviews)
- Seasons: 1
- Genres: Crime and Drama
- Cast: Kathy Bates, Skye P. Marshall, and Jason Ritter
- On air: 2024-present
#6. Grotesquerie
- IMDb user rating: 6.8 (1K reviews)
- Streaming on: Hulu (subscription)
- Seasons: 1
- Genres: Drama and Horror
- Cast: Niecy Nash, Courtney B. Vance, and Nicholas Alexander Chavez
- On air: 2024-present
#5. Doctor Odyssey
- IMDb user rating: 5.4 (945 reviews)
- Streaming on: Hulu (subscription)
- Seasons: 1
- Genre: Drama
- Cast: Joshua Jackson, Phillipa Soo, and Sean Teale
- On air: 2024-present
#4. High Potential
- IMDb user rating: 7.9 (3K reviews)
- Streaming on: Hulu (subscription)
- Seasons: 1
- Genres: Children and Crime
- Cast: Kaitlin Olson, Daniel Sunjata, and Javicia Leslie
- On air: 2024-present
#3. The Penguin
- IMDb user rating: 8.8 (19K reviews)
- Streaming on: MAX (subscription)
- Seasons: 1
- Genres: Drama and Crime
- Cast: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, and Rhenzy Feliz
- On air: 2024-present
#2. From
- IMDb user rating: 7.7 (88K reviews)
- Seasons: 3
- Genres: Mystery and Horror
- Cast: Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Eion Bailey
- On air: 2022-present
#1. Nobody Wants This
- IMDb user rating: 8.2 (10K reviews)
- Streaming on: Netflix (subscription)
- Seasons: 1
- Genre: Comedy
- Cast: Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, and Justine Lupe
- On air: 2024-present
