Top 7 Surprise Hits in Streaming Industry

Are you always on the lookout for the next big thing in streaming entertainment? You know, the hidden gem that no one else knows about yet? Well, you’re not alone! As someone who delves into data weekly, I often get asked what’s trending in streaming. While the usual suspects like Squid Game and Landman may dominate the charts, everyone wants to know about the underdogs that somehow slip through the cracks and become must-watch shows.

Now, I must admit, I don’t have any insider secrets or magic crystal ball. I’m just analyzing the same viewership data as everyone else. If there was a breakout show that was flying under the radar but secretly gaining massive popularity, we would all know about it, right? Entertainment is still a “winner takes all” game, with the top hits being exponentially more popular than the rest. Fun fact: Minecraft has made as much money as the 28th to 100th biggest films of the year combined!

But every now and then, a show surprises even me by becoming a sleeper hit, quietly climbing the ranks without much buzz. These are the shows that may not have made headlines but have captured the hearts of viewers. Today, I’m shining a light on seven sleeper hits from 2024 and 2025. I’ve dug through the weekly top 10 lists from Nielsen, Luminate, and Samba TV to bring you the hard data on what worked and why. From slow burns to unexpected surprises, these shows deserve a spot on your watchlist. You won’t want to miss out on these hidden gems!