For the week of December 16–22, 2024, Virgin River: Season 6 led Netflix’s English-language TV chart, while La Palma: Season 1 topped the non-English-language chart. Because Netflix reported those as separate charts, the ten-title selection below combines the week’s leading English- and non-English-language shows rather than claiming to be one official global ranking.
How this list was ranked
This is a historical snapshot of Netflix popularity for the week of December 16–22, 2024, the reporting period that includes December 21. Netflix did not publish one language-neutral global television chart: it reported separate English-language and non-English-language Top 10 lists. The selection below combines the leading titles from both charts and uses Netflix’s weekly views metric, with hours watched included where reported.
That distinction matters. This is not a current recommendation list, and it is not an official single Netflix global ranking. Catalog availability and rankings vary by country and can change after the reporting week.
The 10 most popular Netflix shows on December 21, 2024
1. Virgin River: Season 6
English-language chart: No. 1 | 8.1 million views | 67.7 million hours viewed
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- Essential 4K streaming – Get everything you need to stream in brilliant 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range 10+ (HDR10+).
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Make your TV even smarter – Fire TV gives you instant access to a world of content, tailor-made recommendations, and Alexa, all backed by fast performance.
- All your favorite apps in one place – Experience endless entertainment with access to Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, and thousands more. Easily discover what to watch from hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes (subscription fees may apply), including free, ad-supported content.
- Getting set up is easy – Plug in and connect to Wi-Fi for smooth streaming.
The sixth season of Netflix’s long-running romantic drama was the week’s biggest English-language television title. Its launch was closely associated with the long-awaited wedding of Mel and Jack, giving returning viewers a major relationship milestone to anticipate during the holiday season.
The show is based on Robyn Carr’s Virgin River book series, although the television adaptation and the novels do not follow exactly the same storylines. Readers who want to explore the source material should treat the books as a companion rather than a scene-by-scene continuation of the series.
2. Black Doves: Season 1
English-language chart: No. 2 | 6.7 million views | 37.0 million hours viewed
Keira Knightley leads this Christmas-set spy drama, making it one of the most seasonally appropriate entries on the list. Its combination of espionage, personal danger and a holiday backdrop helped it stand out among Netflix’s December releases.
Recommended Free Tools
3. No Good Deed: Season 1
English-language chart: No. 3 | 5.6 million views | 25.6 million hours viewed
Created by Liz Feldman, No Good Deed is the list’s clearest murder-mystery and dark-comedy option. The first season centers on competing interests and secrets surrounding a desirable Los Angeles home, giving the series a different tone from the romance, action and survival dramas elsewhere in the rankings.
Rank #2
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
4. The Madness: Season 1
English-language chart: No. 4 | 3.1 million views | 20.3 million hours viewed
Starring Colman Domingo, The Madness was a conspiracy-focused drama that remained in Netflix’s English-language Top 10 for four weeks by this reporting period. Its fourth-place position reflects sustained interest rather than only a first-week launch surge.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute5. La Palma: Season 1
Non-English-language chart: No. 1 | 24.7 million views | 75.7 million hours viewed
La Palma was the most-watched non-English-language television title of the week and the largest individual performer in this selection by both views and hours viewed. The limited series had reached Netflix’s Top 10 in 93 countries and held the chart’s top position for a second consecutive week.
The disaster drama’s strong international performance is a useful reminder that Netflix’s non-English catalog can dominate global attention even when the English-language chart receives more promotional visibility in some markets.
6. When the Phone Rings: Season 1
Non-English-language chart: No. 2 | 4.8 million views | 43.9 million hours viewed
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
This Korean series had appeared in Netflix’s global non-English-language television Top 10 for five weeks by the December 16–22 reporting period. Its view count was well below La Palma’s, but its 43.9 million hours viewed indicate substantial engagement with the episodes already available.
7. 1992: Season 1
Non-English-language chart: No. 3 | 3.6 million views | 16.2 million hours viewed
Spain’s 1992 was the third-ranked non-English-language series in the week’s selection. The Spanish thriller brings a period setting and mystery elements to a list otherwise led by a broad mixture of romance, disaster, crime and relationship dramas.
8. The Manny: Season 2
Non-English-language chart: No. 4 | 3.1 million views | 14.1 million hours viewed
The Mexican series returned with its second season and was identified by Netflix among the week’s more comfort-oriented, relationship-focused titles. Its presence shows that the non-English chart was not driven solely by high-concept thrillers or disaster stories.
9. One Hundred Years of Solitude: Season 1
Non-English-language chart: No. 5 | 3.0 million views | 26.1 million hours viewed
Rank #4
- 4K streaming made simple:With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
Colombia’s One Hundred Years of Solitude appeared in the non-English-language Top 10 during the week. Its 26.1 million hours viewed were notably high relative to its 3.0 million views, suggesting that viewers were spending considerable time with the literary adaptation rather than treating it as a brief sampling watch.
10. Dan Da Dan: Season 1
Non-English-language chart: No. 6 | 2.1 million views | 10.4 million hours viewed
The anime series Dan Da Dan had the longest chart run among the titles in this selection: 11 weeks by the time of the December 16–22 report. Its lower weekly view total compared with the newer releases is offset by its staying power, making it the clearest example here of a title maintaining momentum over time.
Why the numbers need context
Netflix’s weekly views metric is not the same as total hours watched. Netflix calculates a view using hours viewed divided by runtime, so a shorter show can generate many views more quickly than a longer series. Hours viewed provides a second perspective, but it also reflects episode length and how much of a season viewers watched.
For example, La Palma led this selection with 24.7 million views and 75.7 million hours viewed. Virgin River had only 8.1 million views but 67.7 million hours viewed, partly illustrating how runtime and viewing behavior affect the two measures differently. The figures should therefore be read as a snapshot of Netflix engagement, not as a definitive measure of overall quality or cultural importance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A note about the “top 10” methodology
The supplied ten-title selection combines four English-language chart entries with six non-English-language entries, including Dan Da Dan at No. 6 on its chart. That is why the numbering above should be understood as an editorial combined list rather than a literal cross-language ranking from No. 1 through No. 10.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallBest Value
- Ultra-speedy streaming: Roku Ultra is 30% faster than any other Roku player, delivering a lightning-fast interface and apps that launch in a snap.
- Cinematic streaming: This TV streaming device brings the movie theater to your living room with spectacular 4K, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision picture alongside immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
- The ultimate Roku remote: The rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro offers backlit buttons, hands-free voice controls, and a lost remote finder.
- No more fumbling in the dark: See what you’re pressing with backlit buttons.
- Say goodbye to batteries: Keep your remote powered for months on a single charge.
If you require a strict five-English and five-non-English comparison, the fifth English-language title for that week was Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…, while Dan Da Dan was No. 6 on the non-English-language chart. Other titles in the complete English-language Top 10 included The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On: Season 3, Aaron Rodgers: Enigma, Ronny Chieng: Love to Hate It, A Man on the Inside: Season 1 and Arcane: Season 2. Metrics for those additional titles are not included here because the weekly figures supplied for this article cover the ten-title selection above.
What to watch based on your interests
- Romance and an established ensemble: Virgin River or The Manny.
- Seasonal espionage: Black Doves.
- Mystery with dark humor: No Good Deed.
- Conspiracy thriller: The Madness or 1992.
- Disaster drama: La Palma.
- Korean relationship drama: When the Phone Rings.
- Literary adaptation: One Hundred Years of Solitude.
- Anime with proven staying power: Dan Da Dan.
Availability and access
These rankings describe Netflix’s global reporting, not guaranteed availability in every country. Netflix’s catalog, release timing and title availability can differ by region, and a show’s position in the December 2024 chart does not indicate its current ranking.
A Netflix gift card may be a practical way to prepay or give access to the service, but availability, denomination and purchase options depend on the market and retailer. It is an access product, not merchandise tied to any particular show. Check Netflix’s current gift-card guidance before purchasing.
For fans specifically interested in the title at the top of the English-language chart, official Netflix merchandise and licensed show products may be available through Netflix Shop or major retailers. Inventory and partner availability should be checked at the time of purchase.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Sources and reporting basis
The rankings and figures are based on Netflix’s weekly Top 10 reporting for December 16–22, 2024, including its separate English-language and non-English-language television charts and weekly recap. The connection between the television series and Robyn Carr’s novels is based on the author’s official site. Netflix’s help materials were used for the catalog-availability and gift-card qualifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How were the 10 most popular Netflix shows on December 21, 2024 selected?
This list uses Netflix’s global weekly television data for December 16–22, 2024, the reporting period containing December 21. Netflix published separate English-language and non-English-language charts, so the article combines titles from both rather than presenting a single official global chart.
What was the most popular Netflix show on December 21, 2024?
Virgin River: Season 6 was No. 1 on Netflix’s English-language television chart with 8.1 million views and 67.7 million hours viewed. La Palma: Season 1 was No. 1 on the non-English-language chart with 24.7 million views and 75.7 million hours viewed.
Are these still the most popular shows on Netflix?
No. Netflix’s weekly views and hours-viewed figures describe a historical reporting period. Netflix availability and rankings vary by country and can change over time.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: For the week including December 21, 2024, Virgin River: Season 6 led Netflix’s English-language television chart, while La Palma: Season 1 led the non-English-language chart by a wide margin. Because Netflix reported separate language charts, this is best understood as a carefully labeled combined snapshot—not one official global ranking.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
