The streaming world has been abuzz with a surprise frontrunner for the most-watched show of 2025. Bluey, the animated children’s series, has topped Nielsen’s streaming charts, surpassing heavyweights like Reacher, Friends, and even Squid Game.
The show racked up a staggering 25.1 billion minutes viewed in the first half of 2025, a number that shows just how deeply audiences are connecting with this beloved Australian series.
What’s most striking about these figures isn’t just the success of Bluey; it’s the broader trend they represent. While Netflix’s Squid Game and Prime’s Reacher made appearances, it was acquired content like Bluey and even long-running series like South Park (which earned 10.5 billion minutes) that dominated the charts. Despite the flood of original content, audiences are still drawn to shows that have already stood the test of time.
Among originals, Squid Game performed notably well, landing in the top 10 with 15 billion minutes viewed, thanks to its ongoing popularity and its Season 2 release earlier this year. It’s worth noting that these numbers only reflect the aftermath of the show’s release, omitting earlier viewings and excluding the latest season’s premiere, meaning the actual number is likely much higher.
The impact of nostalgia is evident with Stranger Things, which despite not airing new episodes for three years, still garnered 5 billion minutes of viewing time, showing that audiences are revisiting old favorites as they prepare for the series’ final season.
The bottom line? The streaming landscape remains unpredictable, but one thing is certain: Bluey’s heartwarming, relatable storytelling is capturing the hearts of viewers worldwide, making it the most-watched show on streaming so far in 2025.