If you harbored the notion that Squid Game's second season, which shattered viewing records upon its debut, would reign supreme on Netflix's top 10 list for weeks upon weeks, you'd be mistaken. At least, this holds true in the United States, where it has recently been deposed from its throne by the arrival of WWE Monday Night RAW, Netflix's newest acquisition poised for a lengthy and enduring run. I find myself pondering whether RAW will consistently occupy the pedestal or if its current ascendancy is merely a temporary introduction.
RAW's debut episode stretched to an impressive 183 minutes, spanning over three hours, and featured the grand return of The Rock and other heavyweights. Unlike other Netflix originals, RAW incorporates traditional commercial breaks, a nod to its storied past. Indeed, this monumental spectacle will broadcast weekly for a decade. Yes, you heard that right – Netflix inked a deal reportedly worth over $5 billion, with that big 'B'. We've already surpassed 1,650 episodes of RAW, and we're poised to receive hundreds more exclusively on Netflix. If RAW continues to dominate the charts weekly, I might find myself a bit jaded.
Squid Game, naturally, continues to excel remarkably. While the first-week viewer figures remain under wraps, their release is imminent, and I anticipate them to be potentially record-shattering, mirroring the early premiere's success. Squid Game's third season is set for 2025, possibly as early as June, as Netflix briefly leaked the information. Following its conclusion, it will pave the way for Netflix's other two highly anticipated releases later in the year: Stranger Things season 5 and Wednesday season 2. With these three juggernauts, RAW, and other unexpected hits, this could very well turn into a banner year for Netflix.
Elsewhere on the list, Missing You, a new crime drama, has fared exceptionally well, only outdone by Squid Game, which speaks volumes. Virgin River and No Good Deed still linger at the tail end of the rankings, alongside the gripping tidal wave drama La Palma. Black Doves, the December smash hit, and the newly introduced The Equalizer starring Queen Latifah, bring up the rear.
RAW marks a dawn of a new era for live content on Netflix. Regardless of your stance on professional wrestling, this is a monumental milestone for the streaming service. We'll eagerly observe how this unfolds over the next ten years.
