The most popular TV shows to stream right now

Posted
Katrina Sirotta
When Netflix launched its streaming service in 2007, it changed the way we consume television, but it wasn't until 2013 that the platform completely reinvented the industry by morphing into its own film and television studio. That same year, Netflix released its first original series, "House of Cards." The political drama became the first original streaming series to win an Emmy, and set the stage for an entertainment revolution.

Today, the number of streaming services is staggering—and the amount of content options is downright overwhelming. Gone are the days of live-tweeting during season finales and hosting viewing parties for a big premiere, as we grow accustomed to binge-watching shows from the comfort of our own couch at whatever time we choose.

This access has flipped the television industry on its head. According to a 2024 poll by Forbes Home, 99% of American households subscribe to at least one streaming service and spend an average of $46 per month on streaming service fees. As streaming reigns supreme, however, it's starting to take on characteristics of cable TV. That same poll reported that 45% of users have canceled at least one subscription in the past year due to high costs, and platforms are responding by teaming up for bundled deals à la the age of cable. Companies like Disney are even experimenting with continuous TV-style channels on their platform to increase visibility and revenue through ads.

As the streaming juggernaut continues to swell, growing pains are bound to happen. There will be changes—some positive and some annoying—but one thing's for sure: streaming is here to stay, and there are a lot of shows to choose from. So how do you pick?

Massive hits like "Squid Game," "Stranger Things," and "The Handmaid's Tale" are returning with new seasons in 2024 and 2025, but every week, new series are premiering and old favorites are launching on platforms.

Using data from Reelgood, Stacker compiled a list of the most popular TV shows to stream right now as of Aug. 2, 2024. IMDb ratings and other data points were added for supplementary insights. Keep reading to find your new binge-worthy series or revisit an old favorite.

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#20. Fallout

- IMDb user rating: 8.4 (234K reviews)

- Streaming on: Prime Video (subscription)

- Seasons: 1

- Genres: Action & Adventure and Drama

- Cast: Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, and Moisés Arias

- On air: 2024-present

#19. Interview with the Vampire

- IMDb user rating: 7.3 (26K reviews)

- Seasons: 2

- Genres: Drama and LGBTQ

- Cast: Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, and Eric Bogosian

- On air: 2022-present

#18. Dexter: New Blood

- IMDb user rating: 8.1 (104K reviews)

- Seasons: 1

- Genres: Drama and Crime

- Cast: Michael C. Hall, Jack Alcott, and Julia Jones

- On air: 2021-2022

#17. Veep

- IMDb user rating: 8.4 (64K reviews)

- Streaming on: MAX (subscription)

- Seasons: 7

- Genres: Comedy and Drama

- Cast: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Anna Chlumsky, and Tony Hale

- On air: 2012-2019

#16. Yellowstone

- IMDb user rating: 8.7 (229K reviews)

- Streaming on: Netflix (subscription)

- Seasons: 5

- Genres: Crime, Drama, and Western

- Cast: Kevin Costner, Kelly Reilly, and Luke Grimes

- On air: 2018-present

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#15. Young Sheldon

- IMDb user rating: 7.7 (114K reviews)

- Streaming on: Netflix (subscription)

- Seasons: 7

- Genres: Comedy and Family

- Cast: Iain Armitage, Zoe Perry, and Lance Barber

- On air: 2017-2024

#14. Shōgun

- IMDb user rating: 8.7 (157K reviews)

- Streaming on: Hulu (subscription)

- Seasons: 1

- Genres: Action & Adventure and Drama

- Cast: Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, and Tommy Bastow

- On air: 2024-2024

#13. Mad Men

- IMDb user rating: 8.7 (263K reviews)

- Seasons: 7

- Genre: Drama

- Cast: Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, and Vincent Kartheiser

- On air: 2007-2015

#12. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

- IMDb user rating: 6.8 (2K reviews)

- Streaming on: Netflix (subscription)

- Seasons: 1

- Genres: Crime and Mystery

- Cast: Emma Myers, Zain Iqbal, and Asha Banks

- On air: 2024-present

#11. The Boys

- IMDb user rating: 8.7 (702K reviews)

- Streaming on: Prime Video (subscription)

- Seasons: 4

- Genres: Drama and Action & Adventure

- Cast: Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, and Antony Starr

- On air: 2019-present

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#10. Love Island

- IMDb user rating: 5.3 (4K reviews)

- Streaming on: Hulu (subscription)

- Seasons: 11

- Genres: Romance and Drama

- Cast: Iain Stirling, Caroline Flack, and Laura Whitmore

- On air: 2015-present

#9. House of the Dragon

- IMDb user rating: 8.4 (421K reviews)

- Streaming on: MAX (subscription)

- Seasons: 2

- Genres: Drama and Fantasy

- Cast: Matt Smith, Fabien Frankel, and Emma D'Arcy

- On air: 2022-present

#8. Lady in the Lake

- IMDb user rating: 5.9 (1K reviews)

- Streaming on: Apple TV+ (subscription)

- Seasons: 1

- Genres: Drama and Mystery

- Cast: Natalie Portman, Moses Ingram, and Y'lan Noel

- On air: 2024-present

#7. Evil

- IMDb user rating: 7.8 (38K reviews)

- Streaming on: Netflix (subscription)

- Seasons: 4

- Genres: Drama and Horror

- Cast: Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, and Aasif Mandvi

- On air: 2019-present

#6. Snowpiercer

- IMDb user rating: 6.9 (64K reviews)

- Seasons: 4

- Genres: Action & Adventure and Drama

- Cast: Daveed Diggs, Mickey Sumner, and Alison Wright

- On air: 2020-present

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#5. Those About to Die

- IMDb user rating: 6.5 (7K reviews)

- Streaming on: Peacock Premium (subscription)

- Seasons: 1

- Genres: Action & Adventure and Drama

- Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hughes, and Sara Martins

- On air: 2024-present

#4. The Bear

- IMDb user rating: 8.6 (234K reviews)

- Streaming on: Hulu (subscription)

- Seasons: 3

- Genres: Drama and Comedy

- Cast: Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Ayo Edibiri

- On air: 2022-present

#3. Time Bandits

- IMDb user rating: 5.9 (1K reviews)

- Streaming on: Apple TV+ (subscription)

- Seasons: 1

- Genres: Action & Adventure and Comedy

- Cast: Lisa Kudrow, Kal-El Tuck, and Tadhg Murphy

- On air: 2024-present

#2. Presumed Innocent

- IMDb user rating: 7.8 (26K reviews)

- Streaming on: Apple TV+ (subscription)

- Seasons: 1

- Genres: Drama and Crime

- Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Ruth Negga, and Bill Camp

- On air: 2024-present

#1. The Decameron

- IMDb user rating: 6.2 (2K reviews)

- Streaming on: Netflix (subscription)

- Seasons: 1

- Genres: Drama and Comedy

- Cast: Amer Chadha-Patel, Leila Farzad, and Lou Gala

- On air: 2024-2024

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