Stranger Things, Encanto rise to the top of the 2022 streaming charts

Last Updated on February 8, 2023

Netflix’s Stranger Things was the most-streamed TV show of 2022, while Disney’s Encanto ranked as the most-watched movie on any streaming service.

As for actual numbers, Stranger Things was watched for an astounding 52 billion minutes, according to Nielsen’s report. Not surprisingly, Netflix dominated the charts on the number of shows and minutes viewed, taking up the entire top 10, with programs like Ozark, Wednesday, Cobra Kai, and Bridgerton helping Stranger Things round out the top five. (And no, Dahmer wasn’t far behind.) Disney only had acquired shows Bluey and The Simpsons chart, while HBO Max’s Friends and Prime Video’s SpongeBob Squarepants proved worthwhile purchases.

Amazon Prime Video competed with original titles against Netflix, with The Boys and The Rings of Power making appearances. However, since Netflix had some of the most talked-about and reported-on shows of 2022, there was really little competition from other streaming services.

Meanwhile, it was Disney+ that took the crown when it came to movies, with a total of 10 movies on the top 15 list, including Turning Red, which came in at the #2 spot with 11.427 billion minutes viewed. Encanto, which came to Disney+ at the end of 2021, more than doubled that number, pulling in 27.416 billion minutes. Hocus Pocus 2 and consistent favorites Moana and Frozen also ranked high, showing that children just can’t let it go.

The release of Stranger Things’ fourth season is the obvious reason the sci-fi hit topped the charts, as it didn’t even rank on last year’s Nielsen data collection. With the fifth and final season already underway, we can fully expect it to lead the charts again once it finally airs.

While Best Animated Feature nominee Turning Red may not follow last year’s winner Encanto to Oscar gold, it tailing the Pixar movie shows Disney+’s power in the streaming world, especially in movies.

Are you surprised by any of the inclusions on the charts? What was your most-viewed streaming TV series of 2022? Will Netflix and Disney+ reign in 2023 as well? Let us know in the comments section below!