Netflix has already brought us a ton of new movies and shows throughout 2025, and there are still some major releases waiting in the wings ("Stranger Things" season 5, anyone?) Having a steady stream of new releases is a big plus, obviously, but it can also mean keeping up with what's on Netflix — and all the best streaming services, for that matter — a tall order.
And I say that as someone whose job is literally to keep up with what's happening in the world of entertainment. With that in mind, I've been keeping a close eye on the shows that have risen to the top throughout 2025 and put together a shortlist of shows I think viewers ought not to miss. If you read my last round-up of must-see Netflix No. 1 shows, feel free to skip ahead to my picks. Otherwise, I'll just quickly explain how I made my decisions.
I checked what the No. 1 show on Netflix U.S. was every single week (via Netflix's handy Top 10 list on Tudum) from the start of the year through to August 3 (the latest published data set) and built up a list of 19 initial shows. After noting them down, and adding in an extra by checking Netflix's homepage each day for the past week (to bring us up to an even 20), I whittled that shortlist down to 5 choices.
Because Netflix only shares weekly data in this way, some top watches didn't quite fit the criteria: sorry, "Dept. Q.". Nevertheless, with that explanation out of the way, here's my top five Netflix No. 1 shows of 2025 (so far).
Best Netflix No. 1 shows of 2025 (so far)
'Adolescence'
“Adolescence” has been on my list already, and I'm not getting rid of it this time out, either. It had a massive impact upon release, and I'm confident it's going to be remembered as one of 2025's must-see projects.
This powerful, four-part limited series sees “Boiling Point” star Stephen Graham and creator Philip Barantini reuniting to tell the story of a fictional family whose world is turned upside down when their 13-year-old son, Jamie (Owen Cooper), is arrested for the murder of a fellow pupil.
Since its release, “Adolescence” has become the No. 2 Most Popular English-language TV show (second only to “Wednesday”) and has sparked conversations about young people, healthy relationships and online radicalization.
“Adolescence” isn’t just worthy of a mention owing to its wider impact: it's also an expertly crafted drama, and one that you should make time for if you haven't already.
Watch "Adolescence" on Netflix now
'Sirens'
"Sirens" may not have won critics over quite as much as Molly Smith Metzler's previous Netflix series, "Maid," did, but this dark comedy-drama was a winning watch for me.
Across five episodes, we follow concerned sister Devon DeWitt (Meghann Fahy) as she embarks on a quest to check in on her younger sister, Simone (Milly Alcock). Simone's been sucked into the orbit of wellness guru and wealthy socialite, Michaela Kell (Julianne Moore), waiting on Mrs. Kell as her devoted live-in assistant.
Devon shows up at Michaela's lavish estate — unannounced — and tries to stage her intervention across the Labor Day weekend... where she's thrust into the Kells' cultish world and discovers that her sister's boss is a formidable opponent. It's an emotional, darkly funny miniseries that will have you hooked as new secrets come to light.
Watch "Sirens" on Netflix now
'The Four Seasons'
It's important to me that this list has some variety on it, so I wanted to keep a proper comedy on my list. With that in mind, I'm still recommending "The Four Seasons" as one of the best Netflix originals I've streamed this year.
This hilarious, eight-part series comes from Tina Fey, Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield and follows a group of friends, charting how their dynamic shifts when one of the couples in the mix decides to call it quits. It's a gentle, warm comedy that should make for some easy viewing.
Watch "The Four Seasons" on Netflix now
'Untamed'
If you love compelling, character-driven mystery thrillers, then "Untamed" deserves to be on your radar. Released last month, "Untamed" is the latest project from Mark L. Smith ("American Primeval") and Elle Smith ("The Marsh King's Daughter") that whisks us off to the beautiful environs of Yosemite National Park.
There, Investigative Services Branch Agent Kyle Turner (Eric Bana) is on the trail of a killer. Naturally, that investigation sees him stumbling on some dark secrets lurking within the wilder parts of the park.
It's a suspenseful six-episode series that many of us at TG enjoyed (fellow writer Alix Blackburn also recommended "Untamed" earlier in the year), and one that belongs on your watchlist if it wasn't already.
Watch "Untamed" on Netflix now
'Wednesday'
"Wednesday" is the exception to the rule that I mentioned above. While (at the time of writing), Netflix hadn't published its weekly data for Aug. 4 - 11, every time I've looked at the Netflix homepage since the series launched last week, Wednesday Addams was staring right back at me from the top of Netflix's charts.
And seeing as the first season is Netflix's most-watched series of all time... I think it's a sure bet that season 2 will come out on top. If not, I'll replace Wednesday with another choice entirely once the data's live.
Regardless, even though we've only gotten half of the new season, I'm already all-in on "Wednesday" all over again. The production design is just as impressive, the mystery's got me hooked, and Jenna Ortega's proven every bit as engaging in the title role. It's just devilishly fun stuff.
I can't wait to see what's still in store when the remaining episodes drop, and I feel confident it'll still be one of my favorite Netflix shows of the year going forward.
Watch "Wednesday" on Netflix now
Every Netflix No. show so far in 2025
Below, you can find the full list of the 20 Netflix shows that have been a No. 1 series at some point in the year, based on Netflix's weekly data (listed alphabetically).
- 'Adolescence'
- 'American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson'
- 'American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden'
- 'American Murder: Gabby Petito'
- 'American Primeval'
- 'Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing'
- 'Ginny & Georgia'
- 'Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer'
- 'Ransom Canyon'
- 'Running Point'
- 'Sirens'
- 'Squid Game'
- Sullivan's Crossing'
- 'Surviving Black Hawk Down'
- 'The Four Seasons'
- 'The Hunting Wives'
- 'The Night Agent'
- 'The Waterfront'
- 'Untamed'
- "Wednesday"
Already streamed all five of my Netflix picks? Check out our round-up of the best Netflix shows for tons more streaming recommendations to help build out your watchlist.
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