Exploring the thousands of titles on Netflix can be both exciting and overwhelming. Content of all types abounds, from dramas and comedies to reality shows and documentaries. There’s even a top 10 list to help narrow down your decision by letting you see the most popular Netflix shows.
Every week, Netflix releases a list of the 10 most-watched TV shows over a recent seven-day period. Below, we’ve listed the top 10 shows in the U.S. from September 18 to September 24, along with general information about each show, including genre, rating, cast, and synopsis.
Note: There will be a description of plot points from each of the series, so consider this a spoiler warning if you haven’t watched them yet. We’ve also rounded up the best shows on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime, and the best movies on Disney+. For Netflix fans, also check out the 10 most popular movies on Netflix right now.
10. The Pacific (2010)
One of the best shows on Max is now on Netflix: The Pacific. Set during World War II, The Pacific focuses on the lives of three Marines – Pfcs. Robert Leckie (James Badge Dale), Cpl. Eugene B. Sledge (Joseph Mazzello) and Sgt. John Basilone (Jon Seda) – serving in the Pacific Theater after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
From executive producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, The Pacific depicts crucial moments and WWII battles, including Guadalcanal, Okinawa, Cape Gloucester, and Iwo Jima. The Pacific features stunning visuals and gripping sequences to paint a brutal and intense depiction of WWII. If you’re interested in more WWII content, watch The Pacific‘s companion series, Band of Brothers, also streaming on Netflix.
9. Inside the World's Toughest Prisons season 7 (2016)
8. One Piece season 1 (2023)
The best-selling manga series receives the live-action treatment in Netflix’s One Piece. Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) is the captain of the Straw Hats, an eclectic group of pirates who set out on an adventure to find the ultimate treasure. Luffy has elastic limbs after mistakenly eating a Devil Fruit. Luffy and his crew are in search of the mysterious One Piece.
This treasure once belonged to the pirate Gold Roger (Michael Dorman), and whoever finds the One Piece becomes King of the Pirates. However, the Straw Hats are not the only ones searching for the treasure, leading to confrontations and battles.
7. Sex Education season 4 (2019)
The sexually curious teens of Moordale Secondary are back for one final time in Sex Education, one of the 50 best shows on Netflix. When we last checked in with Otis (Asa Butterfield), he finally expressed his feelings to Maeve (Emma Mackey), and the two shared a passionate kiss. However, Maeve is now in the United States studying creative writing, while Otis is starting a new term at Cavendish Sixth Form College.
Joining Otis at Cavendish are best friend Eric (Ncuti Gatwa), ex-girlfriend Ruby (Mimi Keene), head boy Jackson (Kedar Williams-Stirling), and lovable classmate Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood). As Otis attempts to restart his clinic, his mother, Jean (Gillian Anderson), struggles to adjust to life as a single mother to a teenage boy and a newborn.
6. Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal season 1 (2023)
The Murdaughs were a powerful family in South Carolina, with a law firm to their name and family members who served as district attorneys. Their fall from grace began with the death of teenager Mallory Beach in a drunken boating accident in 2019. Alex’s son, Paul, drove the boat and was charged with Mallory’s death.
On the first day of the trial in 2021, Paul was found murdered along with his mother, Maggie. The prime suspect became the Murdaugh patriarch, Alex. More ominous deaths start to be investigated as authorities seek a connection to the Murdaughs. With the case ongoing, the docuseries explores the downfall of the Murdaugh family and where it went wrong for Mallory, Paul, and Maggie.
5. Love Is Blind season 5 (2020)
Once again, it’s time to find true romance without vision in Love Is Blind season 5. The social experiment returns with a group of Houston singles heading to the pods. These singles can talk to each other through a speaker, but they may never see each other inside the pods. The idea is for these men and women to build strong emotional connections first and foremost.
When a connection is formed, a contestant can extend a marriage proposal to another single, and if accepted, they can meet face-to-face. Then, the newly formed couples live together for a few weeks as a trial run before marriage. At the end of the short tenure, a decision is made: get married or break up. Does love win even if you can’t see it? Find out where to watch Love Is Blind season 5.
4. Dear Child (2023)
Based on the international bestselling novel of the same title, Dear Child is a German mystery series about the unsolved disappearance of Lena Beck (Kim Riedle), who went missing 13 years ago. As it turns out, Lena has been held in captivity during that time, and she now has two children: 12-year-old Hannah (Naila Schuberth) and 8-year-old Jonathan (Sammy Schrein).
Lena lives with her children in a windowless house, secluded from the world, forced to obey the strict schedule of the children’s abusive father. One fateful night, Lena escapes with Hannah but doesn’t get far after crashing the car. However, the police find her, which leads them to reopen Lena’s case and figure out the truth behind her abduction.
3. Virgin River season 5 (2019)
Head back to the cozy and remote Northern California town in season 5 of Virgin River. In the trailer, a wildfire threatens to destroy the town, threatening the livelihood of the residents. Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) stresses over her unexpected pregnancy, while Jack (Martin Henderson) tries to prove himself worthy of Mel.
Other storylines include a dramatic court trial, a new romance, and a difficult breakup. Other characters returning for season 5 include Preacher (Colin Lawrence), Doc (Tim Matheson), and Hope (Annette O’Toole). Virgin River will return on November 30 for two holiday-themed episodes to close out season 5.
2. Kountry Wayne: A Woman's Prayer (2023)
Kountry Wayne brings his unique story to the stage in his first Netflix comedy special, Kourtney Wayne: A Woman’s Prayer. Filmed at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., Wayne begins his special talking about his ten kids and how he deals with multiple mothers. The comedian hilariously explains how he pays child support and jokes about his parenting skills.
Wayne even talks about religion since the comedian believes in God and Jesus, which he’s not afraid to address onstage. Thanks to his larger-than-life presence and physical comedy, Wayne’s successful comedy special could be a tipping point for this rising star about to reach new levels of fame.
1. Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal season 2 (2023)
The first season of Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal, Netflix’s docuseries about the Murdaugh family murders and the trial of Alex Murdaugh, premiered in February 2023, a mere weeks before a verdict was reached. Now, the second season returns to South Carolina to reexamine the Murdaugh case and the mysteries behind the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.
Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal features firsthand accounts of people from the community in the days leading up to the murders. The series explores the ins and outs of Alex’s trial, from the nonstop media coverage and America’s obsession over the case to the evidence that ultimately convicted him and put him behind bars.
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