Netflix releases new viewing figures that reveal the biggest hits of 2023 - including shock TV show in first place

From reality TV gameshows to gripping original dramas, 2023 saw a plethora of movies and shows take Netflix by storm.

On Thursday, the platform released their viewing figures for the second half of last year (July to December) and revealed that content was streamed for a whopping 90 billion hours.

As well as diving into how many people watch Netflix, the engagement report also listed the biggest hits of 2023 that fans couldn't get enough of - and the show that made the top spot is surprising. 

While new seasons of shows and brand new titles did climb the rankings, long-time fan favourites such as Gossip Girl (49 million), Gilmore Girls (45 million) and Grey's Anatomy (51 million) continued to rake in millions of views.

To give viewers more of an insight, the streaming giant realised a document detailing thousands and thousands of shows, how many views they got in the time period, where in the world they're available, their release date and their run time.

On Thursday, the platform released their viewing figures for the second half of last year (July to December) and revealed that content was streamed for a whopping 90 billion hours

The show that racked up the most views was actually Netflix's live-action adaption of the popular Japanese manga series, One Piece.

It broke viewing records when it hit our screens in August 2023 and was watched an impressive 71,600,000 times and viewed for 541,900,000 hours.

Originally announced in January 2020, the long-awaited series has won legions of fans after bringing the anime phenomena into the live-action world.

Developed by showrunners Matt Owens and Steven Maeda (Helix, Pan Am), the series is based on the ongoing manga by Eiichiro Oda, which was adapted into a popular anime from 1999. 

The Netflix series stars Iñaki Godoy as the lead character Monkey D. Luffy, who embarks on a quest to find the legendary treasure.

Before he does that though, he must first assemble his pirate crew, who include Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp and Taz Skylar as Sanji.

In the first few days of its release, One Piece rose to become the No 1 ranked TV series in 84 different countries around the world.

This surpasses a milestone set by season one of Netflix's Addams Family adaptation Wednesday and season four of Stranger Things.

The show that racked up the most views was actually Netflix's live-action adaption of the popular Japanese manga series, One Piece

It broke viewing records when it hit our screens in August 2023 and was watched an impressive 71,600,000 times and viewed for 541,900,000 hours

Taking second place is the limited series Dear Child, which was released in September 2023 and amassed 52,500,000 views

The six part series is based on Romy Hausmann's bestselling German novel of the same name – Liebes Kind

It's was confirmed that the eight-part series cost an eye-watering $17 million per episode, more than even the fantasy HBO epic Game Of Thrones.

Taking second place is the limited series Dear Child, which was released in September 2023 and amassed 52,500,000 views.

The six-part series is based on Romy Hausmann's bestselling German novel of the same name – Liebes Kind.

Netflix viewers were 'hooked' on the psychological thriller as soon as it was released, and has been teased 'as intense as Gone Girl' and left viewers 'unable to stop watching'.

Dear Child begins when an unknown woman gets struck by a car in a forest at night, with a 'precocious and strange' little girl accompanying her in the ambulance.

The young child's worrying comments about their past encourage nurses to alert the police – in turn prompting a 13-year-old missing persons case to finally be reopened.

Another limited series called Who Is Erin Carter? takes third place with 52,500,000 views - it was released in August of last year.

Despite critics panning the drama, describing it as 'deathly dull,' fans couldn't stop watching and claimed their eyes were 'glued' to their screens.

Another limited series called Who Is Erin Carter? takes third place with 52,500,000 views - it was released in August of last year

Despite critics panning the drama, describing it as 'deathly dull,' fans couldn't stop watching and claimed their eyes were 'glued' to their screens

The show centres around the secretive teacher whose name inspires the title, as her past catches up with her despite leaving home with her family for Spain.

The titular teacher is performed by Evin Ahmad, 33, who was named the Rising Star at 2022's Berlin International Film Festival.

Her character has moved with her family to Barcelona, where it would appear she is hoping to cover her tracks.

But her hopes of a new life are thrown into doubt when she is recognised by an armed robber, and people from her past keep seeming to crop up.

In fourth place on the most-watched list was the third installment of the French crime drama, Lupin, with 49,700,000 tuning in.

The show became an international hit when it launched in January 2021, with part two dropping only five months after its debut on the streaming platform. 

It's followed by fan-favourite Netflix originals The Witcher Season 3 (47,900,000 views) and Sex Education: Season 4 (46,300,000 views).

It was the final season of the beloved series, and saw the teenagers leave Moordale Secondary to start Cavendish Sixth Form College.

Meanwhile, Beckham, which took seventh place, went down a treat with critics who have praised the four-part series as 'riveting', 'candid' and the best sports documentary in years. 

Sex Education: Season 4 racked up 46,300,000 views and it was the sixth most-watched show

Virgin River Season 5 amassed 35,800,000 views

The latest season of the children's TV show CoComelon was eighth

The Beckham documentary went down a treat with critics who praised the four-part series as 'riveting', 'candid' and the best sports documentary in years - it was in seventh place on the list

The tell-all series saw David Beckham and Victoria give an intimate insight into their marriage and early romance, their family life, as well as charting David's footballing career. 

The latest season of the children's TV show CoComelon was eighth, with Virgin River Season 5 (35,800,000 views) and The Lincoln Laywer Season 5 round off the top ten (35,700,000).

You can view the full report and list on Netflix's website.

Other key findings include the fact that non-English shows and movies are very popular with audiences, making up nearly a third of all viewing.

Sports has also become increasingly popular, amassing a combined 184M views with favourites like Beckham (44M), Untold: Johnny Football (14M) and Quarterback (13M).

Meanwhile, reality competition spin-off Squid Game: The Challenge (33M) increased viewership for Squid Game by 34% - three years after this much-loved story had its premiere.