As 2025 comes to a close, the streaming wars have shifted from a race for new subscribers to a fight for global attention. This year marked a major turning point: more than half of the people on Earth have now moved away from traditional TV schedules to watch what they want, when they want.
The real story of 2025 is the massive, borderless reach of the year’s biggest hits. From South Korean thrillers to record-breaking animated musicals, here are the movies and series that everyone was watching this year according to the latest global data.
Most streamed movies of 2025
KPop Demon Hunters
Global Views: 325.1 Million
The undisputed queen of 2025, this animated musical urban fantasy didn’t just top the charts – it redefined them. Released in June, it garnered 325.1 million views in its first 91 days, becoming the most-watched original film in Netflix history. Its mix of high-energy music and supernatural action helped it stay in the Global Top 10 for 15 consecutive weeks.
Back in Action
Global Views: 165 Million
The high-octane action-comedy marking Cameron Diaz’s big return to the screen alongside Jamie Foxx proved that star power still drives massive engagement. Amassing 165 million views in the first half of the year alone, it remains the top-performing live-action English-language film released globally this year on Netflix.
Straw
Global Views: 102.9 Million
Tyler Perry’s psychological thriller became a word-of-mouth sensation. Despite polarizing critics, the film resonated deeply with global audiences, racking up over 100 million views and securing the #1 movie spot in 91 different countries during its peak month.
The Life List
Global Views: 95.5 Million
A perennial “Sunday afternoon” staple, this romantic drama starring Sofia Carson found a massive global audience upon its spring release. It spent months in the Top 10, proving that mid-budget, emotionally resonant storytelling still has a powerful place in the streaming era.
Moana 2
Global Views: 80 Million
After a historic run in theaters, Moana 2 sailed onto Disney+ on March 12, 2025. The film garnered 27.3 million views in its first five days alone—the best launch for a Disney animated title since Encanto. By the end of the year, it crossed 80 million global views, solidifying its place as the year’s premier family streaming hit.
Most streamed web series of 2025
Squid Game: Season 2
Global Views: 192.6 Million
The South Korean phenomenon returned to claim its throne. Within its first few weeks, Season 2 pulled in a staggering 192.6 million views, setting a new record for the biggest premiere for a non-English series. Its viral “Hide and Seek” opener dominated social media, pushing it to the #1 spot in 92 countries.
Adolescence
Global Views: 144.8 Million
This British crime drama was the year’s biggest “dark horse” release. Chronicling a teenager’s murder trial in a unique “real-time” format, the limited series sparked massive global conversation, outperforming established franchises to become one of the most-watched new series of 2025.
Stranger Things 5: Vol. 1
Global Views: 59.6 Million (Opening Week)
While it ranks lower in cumulative annual views due to its late November launch, the return to Hawkins was the single biggest streaming moment of the decade. Its opening week views represented a 171% increase over Season 4, making it the most-watched English-language series debut in history.
Fallout: Season 2
Global Views: 100 Million+ (Cumulative)
Prime Video’s post-apocalyptic darling avoided the “sophomore slump” with its December 2025 return. By the end of the month, the series had officially surpassed the 100 million global viewer milestone, cementing its legacy as the gold standard for video game adaptations and Amazon’s top international export.
Zero Day
Global Views: 61.3 Million
This conspiracy thriller starring Robert De Niro became a massive hit in the first half of the year. With over 61 million views, it showcased the global appetite for high-stakes political drama, consistently ranking in the Top 10 across Europe and North America.
