This Quiet Netflix Drama Beat 'Squid Game' — 144 Million Viewers and 100% on Rotten Tomatoes
Some are calling it the best drama of the year — others, the most controversial.
I love when a show comes out of nowhere and shakes up the charts. That’s exactly what happened with Adolescence — a low-key family drama that’s now Netflix’s most-watched series of the year (so far).
144.8 million views. 555 million hours. More than any other title in the first half of 2025. And critics? 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s not just hype — that’s rare.
Adolescence (2025)
The story follows the Miller family after their 13-year-old son, Jamie, is arrested for murder. As the investigation unfolds, the series shifts focus to something deeper — the pressure of growing up in a world that expects clarity and control from kids barely out of childhood.
It’s beautifully shot, sharply written, and emotionally heavy. No wonder it holds an 8.4 on IMDb and a 75% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Squid Game didn’t disappear — just moved down the list
Squid Game, Season 2 (2024)
Still massive: 117.3 million views and 840 million hours. Fans were mostly happy, but the shock factor of season one? Hard to replicate.
Squid Game, Season 3 (2025)
Launched later but gaining steam fast — 71.5 million views and over 438 million hours so far. Clearly, Netflix is in it for the long game. But this year, the crown went to something quieter.
