As the streaming giant continues to dominate the global entertainment landscape, Netflix’s most-watched series and movies of 2024 provide a fascinating glimpse into what captivated audiences worldwide. With action thrillers, romantic comedies, international gems, and binge-worthy reality TV, this year’s offerings highlight the diverse tastes of viewers. Here’s a breakdown of the top trends and titles that defined Netflix in 2024.
Top English-Language Films
Leading the charge in 2024 is Carry-On, an action thriller produced by Amblin, which amassed a staggering 118.2 million CVEs in its first 14 days. Its success cements Netflix’s knack for blockbuster-level productions aimed at a broad audience. Close behind is Damsel (99.1M), a fantasy action piece with strong performances and stunning visuals. Other notable entries include The Union (85.1M), Rebel Ridge (80.9M), and Lift (80.5M), further demonstrating the audience’s appetite for adrenaline-pumping action films.
Romantic comedies also found a place in the hearts of viewers, with A Family Affair (66.5M) and Our Little Secret (59.8M) performing well. Meanwhile, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (66.6M), the fourth installment in the beloved series, brought some nostalgia but didn’t quite meet expectations, given its legacy and cast.
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The International Spotlight
If one trend stood out this year, it’s the rise of international cinema on Netflix. Under Paris (73.8M) from France led the international charts, even rivaling some English-language films in viewership. JA Bayona’s Spanish film Society of the Snow (57.8M) struck a balance between critical acclaim and commercial success.
European films dominated this category, with Polish horror Colors of Evil: Red (36.6M) and Italy’s Vanished into the Night (31.3M) drawing significant audiences. South Korea’s Badland Hunters (36.5M) was the sole representative from Asia, underscoring the region’s growing influence in global storytelling.
English-Language Series: Steady but Unspectacular
The year’s biggest surprise was Fool Me Once (61M), adapted from Harlan Coben’s novel. Released on January 1, it maintained a strong presence throughout the year. Other top series included The Perfect Couple (47.4M) and Griselda (46.3M), each bringing unique narratives to the table.
Returning series like Bridgerton Season 3a (76.1M) proved their staying power, even outperforming previous seasons. However, others like Emily in Paris Season 4a (38.2M) and Outer Banks Season 4a (26.3M) experienced declines, signaling potential fatigue among their audiences.
International Series: Squid Game Reigns Supreme
On the international front, Squid Game Season 2 (140M) towered over all other entries, reaffirming its status as a global phenomenon. However, this success masked a troubling trend for other international series, many of which saw declining viewership. Titles like The Empress Season 2 (13.2M) and Hellbound Season 2 (5.1M) struggled to maintain the momentum of their debut seasons.
The Norwegian series La Palma (43.9M) led the debut international series, blending exotic settings with thrilling storytelling. France’s The Cage and Spain’s Breathless also stood out, reflecting a growing audience for European mini-series.
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Animation Struggles
2024 was a challenging year for Netflix’s animation slate. Despite familiar franchises like Jurassic World: Chaos Theory and Gabby’s Dollhouse, none broke into the overall Top 10. Original titles like Bad Dinosaurs showed promise but were not renewed, leaving fans disappointed.
Reality TV: Love Is Blind Dominates
Netflix’s pivot toward weekly releases for reality shows paid off, with Love is Blind Season 6 (20.4M) taking the top spot. Culinary-themed shows like South Korea’s Culinary Class Wars (10.1M) also performed well, proving that food remains a universal language.
Disappointments
Not all was rosy for Netflix this year. Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon sequel flopped, failing to make the Top 10, despite heavy promotion. Animation films struggled to find an audience, and major returning international series saw significant declines.
Final Thoughts
Netflix’s 2024 offerings highlight a platform in transition, balancing blockbuster English-language films with a growing slate of international and genre-specific content. While some trends, like the dominance of action thrillers and reality TV, remain strong, challenges in animation and sequels suggest room for improvement. With hits like Carry-On and Squid Game leading the charge, Netflix continues to be a barometer of global entertainment preferences, showcasing its ability to adapt and innovate in an ever-changing industry.
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