‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ Is the Most Popular TV Show of the Week; Here Are the 14 Other Shows Atop IMDb’s List

This week’s most-watched shows cut across horror prequels, fantasy epics, true-crime anthologies and character-driven dramedies, as streamers roll out big new releases alongside long-running favourites. From small-town mysteries and Alaskan manhunts to queer Marine boot camp stories and animated satire, each title on this list has a distinct hook that’s pulling in viewers right now. Here’s a closer look at what each series is actually about, where it fits in its wider franchise or genre, and why it’s getting so much attention at the moment.

‘The Last Frontier’ (2025– )

‘The Last Frontier’ is a thriller drama for Apple TV that follows U.S. Marshal Frank Remnick, the lone federal lawman covering a remote Alaskan region, after a prison transport plane crashes near his town. The crash frees dozens of dangerous inmates, including a former CIA asset, and Remnick must lead a sprawling manhunt through unforgiving wilderness. As the investigation unfolds, the series reveals a broader conspiracy involving covert intelligence programs and secrets that threaten both the town and Remnick’s family. Created by Jon Bokenkamp and Richard D’Ovidio, ‘The Last Frontier’ mixes large-scale action sequences with character-driven drama and is structured as a season-long mystery released in weekly instalments.

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

‘Game of Thrones’ is a fantasy drama based on George R.R. Martin’s ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ novels, set across the continents of Westeros and Essos. The series interweaves storylines about rival noble houses fighting for the Iron Throne, a deposed dynasty gathering strength in exile and an ancient supernatural threat advancing from the far north. Produced for HBO with large-scale location shoots and a vast ensemble cast, it became known for intricate politics, unexpected character deaths and cinematic battle sequences. Over eight seasons, ‘Game of Thrones’ amassed record-breaking numbers of Emmy nominations and wins, making it one of the most decorated scripted series ever produced.

‘Only Murders in the Building’ (2021– )

‘Only Murders in the Building’ is a comedic mystery series about three neighbours in a Manhattan apartment building—played by Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez—who start a true-crime podcast after a suspicious death in their building. Each season follows a new murder case linked to the Arconia, while the trio records fresh podcast seasons and navigates shifting careers, friendships and public attention. The Hulu series features a steady stream of high-profile guest stars and increasingly elaborate season-long puzzles. It has earned multiple Emmy and SAG nominations and wins, and was recently renewed for a sixth season that will take the characters’ crime-solving adventures to London.

‘Boots’ (2025– )

‘Boots’ is a Netflix drama created by Andy Parker and inspired by Greg Cope White’s memoir ‘The Pink Marine’, following closeted teen Cameron Cope as he impulsively joins the U.S. Marine Corps to escape bullying. Set during the build-up to the Gulf War, the series portrays the physical and psychological demands of boot camp while exploring masculinity, sexuality and the idea of a “chosen family” among recruits. Cameron’s relationships with his straight best friend Ray and his complicated mentor Sergeant Sullivan provide the emotional backbone of the story. The show has received strong critical attention and high viewership, and it has also sparked political backlash from U.S. officials whose public criticism coincided with a spike in its streaming popularity.

‘The Diplomat’ (2023– )

‘The Diplomat’ is a political drama created by Debora Cahn that follows Kate Wyler, a seasoned U.S. diplomat unexpectedly appointed ambassador to the United Kingdom during a major international crisis. While working to defuse tensions and manage alliances, Kate is also quietly evaluated as a potential candidate for higher office in Washington. The series devotes significant attention to her complicated marriage with fellow diplomat Hal Wyler, showing how personal relationships intersect with public responsibilities. Praised for its sharp writing and performances from Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell and a strong ensemble, ‘The Diplomat’ has earned major award nominations and secured multiple seasons on Netflix.

‘Monster’ (2022– )

‘Monster’ is a biographical crime drama anthology created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan for Netflix, with each season focusing on a different notorious killer or case. The first instalment centred on serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, while later seasons followed the Menendez brothers and then murderer Ed Gein, each presented under a slightly different subtitle. The series dramatizes the lives of perpetrators, victims and families using court records, media coverage and other source material to shape its narratives. It has drawn huge global audiences while also provoking controversy, including criticism from victims’ relatives and debates about the ethics of dramatizing recent true-crime stories.

‘The Asset’ (2025– )

‘The Asset’ is a Danish-language espionage crime thriller on Netflix that follows Tea Lind, an aspiring police cadet recruited by the intelligence services to go undercover. Posing as a jeweller, Tea infiltrates a criminal network in order to get close to Ashley, the partner of gang leader Miran, who controls a lucrative operation. Her growing emotional connection to Ashley complicates the mission and forces Tea to question where her loyalties lie as the stakes rise. Across its six episodes, the series combines undercover-policing tension with character-driven drama about identity, trust and the personal costs of living a double life.

‘Down Cemetery Road’ (2025– )

‘Down Cemetery Road’ is a British thriller adapted from Mick Herron’s novel and developed for Apple TV by Morwenna Banks. The story follows Sarah Tucker, a woman who becomes obsessed with the disappearance of a neighbour’s child after an explosion tears through their quiet suburban street. As she digs deeper, Sarah uncovers a tangle of secrets linking local residents, political interests and past covert activities. Produced as a short, tightly plotted series and filmed in and around an Oxford suburb, ‘Down Cemetery Road’ uses its setting to give the mystery a distinctly British suburban atmosphere.

‘Task’ (2025)

‘Task’ is an American crime drama miniseries created and written by Brad Ingelsby for HBO, following Philadelphia-based FBI agent Tom Brandis as he leads a task force investigating violent robberies of stash houses used by outlaw motorcycle gangs. The series explores both the procedural side of the investigation and the personal lives of the agents and suspects, highlighting how crime and law enforcement are entwined with local communities. Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey headline the cast, joined by performers including Emilia Jones, Thuso Mbedu and others in key roles. Structured as a seven-episode limited series, ‘Task’ offers a grounded, regionally specific take on the heist and police-procedural genres.

‘Slow Horses’ (2022– )

‘Slow Horses’ is a British spy thriller based on Mick Herron’s Slough House novels, focusing on a group of disgraced MI5 officers exiled to an administrative backwater nicknamed Slough House. Under the begrudging leadership of Jackson Lamb, played by Gary Oldman, the team repeatedly finds itself at the center of national-security crises despite being considered failures by the rest of the service. The Apple TV+ series adapts Herron’s books in order, blending dry, distinctly British humour with tense espionage plots involving assassinations, political intrigue and inter-agency rivalries. It has already run through several novels and has been renewed through at least a seventh series, ensuring further stories from the Slough House world.

‘South Park’ (1997– )

‘South Park’ is an animated sitcom created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone that follows four boys—Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny—in a fictional Colorado town. Known for its simple cutout-style animation, sharp satire and rapid production schedule, the show tackles politics, celebrity culture, religion and internet trends with deliberately provocative humour. It airs on Comedy Central, and a landmark streaming deal has made Paramount+ the main home for both the full back catalogue and new episodes, including recent specials. Across dozens of seasons, ‘South Park’ has earned numerous awards and is widely cited as one of television’s longest-running and most influential animated comedies.

‘Nobody Wants This’ (2024– )

‘Nobody Wants This’ is a romantic comedy-drama created by Erin Foster that centers on Joanne, an outspoken agnostic podcaster, and Noah, an unconventional rabbi whose relationship disrupts both their personal lives and communities. The Netflix series follows the couple as they co-host a relationships podcast, navigate interfaith pressures and handle skepticism from friends, family and congregants. Foster has said the show is loosely inspired by her own love story, and she folds details from her real experiences into dialogue, character traits and even wardrobe choices. The series has quickly become a breakout streaming hit, earning major award nominations and multiple renewals that continue to chart Joanne and Noah’s evolving partnership.

‘Stranger Things’ (2016– )

‘Stranger Things’ is a science-fiction horror series created by the Duffer Brothers for Netflix, set in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, where secret government experiments open a portal to a hostile parallel dimension known as the Upside Down. The story begins with the disappearance of a local boy and the arrival of Eleven, a girl with psychokinetic abilities who escapes from a nearby lab. Over multiple seasons, the show follows a tight-knit group of kids, their families and town officials as they battle creatures from the Upside Down and uncover the extent of human experimentation at the Hawkins facility. A planned fifth season is expected to conclude the narrative, while the series remains one of Netflix’s flagship titles thanks to its blend of supernatural mystery, coming-of-age drama and strongly eighties-inspired style.

‘The Witcher’ (2019– )

‘The Witcher’ is a fantasy drama based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels, following monster hunter Geralt of Rivia, the sorceress Yennefer and Princess Ciri as their intertwined destinies shape the fate of a fractured continent. The Netflix series adapts the early short-story collections and later saga novels, moving from standalone monster hunts to large-scale political and magical conflicts. Henry Cavill portrayed Geralt for the first three seasons before Liam Hemsworth took over, with the creative team planning the end of the saga across two concluding seasons. The universe now includes the animated origin film ‘The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf’, the prequel miniseries ‘The Witcher: Blood Origin’ and the animated feature ‘The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep’, which explore earlier events and side stories.

‘It: Welcome to Derry’ (2025– )

‘It: Welcome to Derry’ is a supernatural horror series that serves as a prequel to the ‘It’ films, expanding Stephen King’s story by exploring earlier catastrophes in the town of Derry, Maine. The plot follows a military family and local teenagers as disappearances, racist violence and disturbing visions signal the renewed presence of Pennywise beneath the town. Developed by Andy and Barbara Muschietti with Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane, it brings back Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise alongside a new ensemble cast. The show airs on HBO with weekly episodes and has already attracted millions of viewers with one of the strongest recent drama premieres on the service.

If you’ve watched any of these shows—or have your own favourites this week—share your thoughts and picks in the comments.