Prime Video’s The Boys achieved its highest milestone yet by topping Nielsen’s streaming charts for the first time in its four-season run. The week of July 15 to July 21 saw the show’s Season 4 finale drive an astounding 1.33 billion viewing minutes, solidifying its place as the most-watched streaming program during this period. This impressive feat came after the highly anticipated finale was released on July 18, catapulting the series past stiff competition, including the juggernaut House of the Dragon, Netflix’s Cobra Kai, and the popular reality show Love Island.
This victory for The Boys is a testament to its growing influence in the streaming world. The series has been a major success for Prime Video since its debut, but this is the first time it has topped the charts, with this week marking its highest weekly total of viewership across all seasons. The 1.33 billion viewing minutes not only secured the No. 1 spot for the week but also positioned The Boys as a legitimate competitor in a landscape crowded with formidable series.
The Battle for the Top Spot
Previously, House of the Dragon had been reigning supreme, clocking in 1.27 billion viewing minutes during the week before. However, the Game of Thrones prequel saw a slight decline in viewership for the week ending July 21, sliding to the No. 2 spot with 1.11 billion minutes on Max. This drop opened the door for The Boys to claim the title of the most-watched streaming show of the week.
Meanwhile, Cobra Kai, a Netflix series that has garnered a loyal following over several seasons, debuted the first five episodes of its sixth season on July 18, earning 1.09 billion viewing minutes. This impressive figure placed it third on the overall list, solidifying its place as one of the top streaming contenders. The show has successfully bridged generations of viewers, mixing nostalgia with fresh content, making it a mainstay in Netflix’s lineup.
Reality TV’s Continued Dominance
While scripted dramas dominated the top three, reality TV held strong as Love Island USA continued to gain traction ahead of its July 21 finale. The franchise, available across Hulu, Netflix, and Peacock, amassed 1.05 billion viewing minutes, a slight uptick from the previous week’s total of 1.03 billion. Love Island has consistently proven itself to be a cultural phenomenon, with its mix of romance, drama, and high-stakes competition pulling in audiences across platforms.
Children’s programming also found a place among the week’s top shows, with the beloved Bluey securing fifth place with 1.04 billion minutes viewed on Disney+. The animated series has been a hit with families and has maintained its standing as one of the most-watched shows on streaming platforms.
Other Notable Entries
Not far behind, Family Guy continued to draw impressive numbers, ranking sixth with 989 million viewing minutes on Hulu. Meanwhile, Grey’s Anatomy took the No. 7 spot with 965 million viewing minutes spread across both Hulu and Netflix. Both shows, long-running hits with massive back catalogs, continue to command significant viewership, indicating the staying power of classic series in the streaming era.
While Suits experienced a slight dip in viewership, it still managed to claim the No. 9 spot on the list with 850 million viewing minutes. The legal drama, which originally aired on the USA Network, has found a new life on streaming platforms, drawing in both longtime fans and new viewers.
Films Make Their Mark
On the movie front, JD Vance’s memoir-turned-Netflix film, Hillbilly Elegy, saw a surge in viewership following Vance’s selection as the Republican vice-presidential nominee on July 15. The movie garnered 556 million viewing minutes, making it the third most-watched streaming film of the week. This surge in popularity highlights the intersection of politics and entertainment, as the film’s renewed relevance appears to be tied to current events.
The top two most-watched streaming films for the week were Trolls Band Together and Land of Bad, which brought in 937 million and 848 million viewing minutes, respectively, on Netflix. These films, with their family-friendly appeal and action-packed storylines, have been able to attract diverse audiences and maintain their momentum in the highly competitive streaming landscape.
A New Milestone for “The Boys”
For The Boys, this Nielsen milestone represents a significant achievement for Prime Video and highlights the show’s continued resonance with viewers. Created by Eric Kripke and based on the comic book series by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, The Boys has become a critical and commercial success due to its bold storytelling, dark humor, and unique take on the superhero genre. Its ability to surpass its previous viewership highs demonstrates that it remains a cultural force, even as it navigates a competitive streaming environment.
As The Boys continues to captivate audiences, Prime Video will likely build on this success, exploring new opportunities for the series in future seasons. With its Season 4 finale setting new records, the show’s dominance may be far from over.
