Netflix achieved historic success in 2025 by combining global franchises with regionally popular originals. From Korean thrillers to South Asian comedies, audiences worldwide drove unprecedented engagement. The platform redefined its position in global entertainment.
1. Squid Game (Season 3)
The final chapter of Squid Game followed Seong Gi-hun on a mission to dismantle the deadly organization. Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, and Wi Ha-joon led the cast. The series secured 122 million global views and generated an estimated $2 billion in subscriptions and merchandise, making it Netflix’s most valuable asset of the year.
2. Stranger Things
Hawkins faced a full-scale supernatural war as the Upside Down rift exploded. Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, and Winona Ryder returned for the emotional finale. The season recorded 59.6 million views in its debut window, becoming the most successful English-language debut in streaming history.
3. Wednesday (Season 2)
Wednesday Addams returned to Nevermore Academy to uncover dark family secrets. Jenna Ortega starred alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán. The show amassed 50 million views in five days and ranked number one in 91 countries, driving Netflix’s global ad-supported revenue.
4. Adolescence
This crime thriller followed a teenager accused of a high-profile murder, exposing corruption. Stephen Graham and Ashley Walters delivered standout performances. The show reached over 145 million cumulative views, becoming one of Netflix’s most-watched series ever.
5. Ginny & Georgia (Season 3)
After Georgia’s arrest, Ginny fought to protect her family. Brianne Howey and Antonia Gentry returned for the season. The show opened with 17.6 million views and pulled earlier seasons into the Global Top 10, generating over 248 million hours of watch time.
6. The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show
Kapil Sharma brought celebrity interviews and comedy sketches to Netflix in a revamped format. Sunil Grover and Krushna Abhishek joined the cast. The show averaged 2.4 million views per episode, becoming Netflix’s top non-fiction program in South Asia.
7. Delhi Crime (Season 3)
DCP Vartika Chaturvedi returned to investigate brutal serial crimes. Shefali Shah and Rajesh Tailang led the critically acclaimed season.
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Netflix’s strategy of combining international franchises with regional originals proved highly successful. The platform expanded its global footprint, driving record engagement and revenue in 2025.
