Ah, TV. If you’re like me, there’s a high chance you’ve spent more time binge-watching shows than talking to actual humans this past decade. With streaming services popping up like mushrooms after a rainstorm, and traditional networks scrambling to keep up, the past ten years have been a wild ride for TV. Some shows absolutely dominated, and let’s just say—if you weren’t watching, were you even alive?

I’ve had some of my own TV obsessions, but these top 10 shows? They made even my most dedicated Netflix habit look like a warm-up. Let’s dive into the Top 10 Most-Watched TV Shows of the Decade, and I’ll share some personal takes and random thoughts as we go.

1. Game of Thrones – A Global Frenzy

Fast forward to 2011. I’m on my couch, sweating a bit (no AC, thanks) and getting sucked into the world of Westeros. Game of Thrones came at us like a tidal wave, and not even my poor attempt at explaining what was happening to my friends could save me from the utter chaos it unleashed.

Why Everyone Went Wild:

• Global Obsession: I mean, the whole world was talking about it. People got tattoos, wore dragon tees, and started saying things like “You know nothing, Jon Snow.” It’s safe to say it was everywhere. Like, my barber even had a GoT themed apron.
• Record-Breaking Views: By the end of its run in 2019, Game of Thrones had set some crazy viewership records. The season finale? Almost 20 million viewers in the U.S. alone. I can’t even get that many people to show up to my potluck.
• Cultural Impact: Do you remember how everyone just had to name their pets after the characters? My neighbor’s dog was named Khal Drogo for an entire year, until he chewed through three pairs of boots.

Key Stats? Yeah, I got them. I also got a whole bunch of snacks to fuel my next marathon.

• 19.3 million tuned in for the finale.
• 59 Primetime Emmy Awards, no biggie.

2. Stranger Things – A Throwback Like No Other

Okay, you remember that time you watched Stranger Things and thought, “Wait, did I just time travel to my childhood?” It felt like one big nostalgic fever dream, minus the creepy demogorgons (or did they just show up at my middle school dances?).

Why It Stuck:

• Nostalgia Overload: Like, I swear the first time I saw a kid on a bicycle in the opening scenes, I could practically smell the Jolly Ranchers and hear the Ghostbusters theme song playing in my head. It was like my childhood came to life—minus the whole monster-fighting part.
• Star Cast: Winona Ryder was everything. Honestly, she was the heart of the show, but also, those kids? They were like a crew of pocket-sized geniuses. I remember telling my friend, “This kid Millie Bobby Brown? She’s gonna make it big. Just wait.”
• International Appeal: Here’s the kicker—Stranger Things was huge, not just in the States but globally. It made people fall in love with 80s references, waffles, and Dustin’s teeth.

Key Stats? Sure. But seriously, the nostalgia alone deserves a statue.

• 65 million households caught the Season 3 premiere.
• Multiple Golden Globes. And I bet they only got better as they aged, like a fine wine.

3. The Mandalorian – Star Wars, But Cooler

Y’all, The Mandalorian was like that perfect combo of hype and space magic. I remember waking up at 3 a.m. just to watch it—yes, the Star Wars nerd in me was real. Watching Baby Yoda (aka “The Child”) was basically the best thing to happen since… well, ever.

Why We Watched:

• Star Wars Universe: Let’s be honest—anything with Star Wars on the label is a guaranteed win. But The Mandalorian? It took that galaxy far, far away and made it feel fresh and new while still staying true to its roots.
• The Tech: So, I’m not saying I’m an expert in filming, but I did binge-watch The Mandalorian special features. The tech they used for filming? Beyond wicked. It’s like I was watching a live-action video game. I still don’t understand how that works.
• The Baby: I mean, let’s talk about Baby Yoda for a sec. My grandma has a Baby Yoda figurine on her mantle now. I bet even Pete from the local coffee shop could make a mint just selling plushies at this point.

Key Stats:

• 15 million new subscribers for Disney+ just because of this show.
• 2 seasons, more to come. Can’t wait for more Baby Yoda antics.

4. Breaking Bad – Meth, Mayhem, and Masterpieces

Ah, Breaking Bad—where do I even begin? This one hit hard in 2013. I remember being so caught up in Walter White’s journey, I almost didn’t notice that my entire Netflix queue was full of stuff I’d been avoiding. Spoiler: Walter White was way more captivating.

Why It Was Legendary:

• Mind-Blowing Writing: Vince Gilligan. That man knew how to break my heart and then put it back together again with a plot twist. Like, you thought you knew what was going to happen? Ha!
• Bryan Cranston & Aaron Paul: Let’s just say those two set the bar so high, it’s impossible to even compare. Seriously, if Aaron Paul doesn’t get a role in your film, what are you doing with your life?
• Emotional Rollercoaster: That last season? I’m pretty sure I cried three times just in the opening episode alone. No spoilers, but you know the one where… yeah.

Key Stats:

• 10 million viewers for the series finale.
• 16 Emmys. That’s right—16. They earned them all.

5. The Crown – All Hail the Queen

Not gonna lie, I never thought I’d get so deep into the royal drama, but here we are. I mean, after The Crown, I started Googling Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe. Who knew history could be so extra?

Why It Was Loved:

• History Buff’s Dream: If you’re a sucker for historical dramas (like me), this show was a gold mine. The Crown got into the nitty-gritty of royal politics, family drama, and some seriously questionable fashion choices from the past.
• Elite Cast: Claire Foy and Olivia Colman? Pure genius. I was low-key obsessed with both of them. Fun fact: I tried to get a haircut like Olivia’s, but that didn’t go as planned. My bad.
• Refined Drama: Watching this show felt like attending a fancy dinner party where everyone was wearing velvet but also yelling at each other. All the drama, none of the calories.

Key Stats:

• 4 Golden Globes. Maybe I should buy them some cake?
• 6 seasons, and I can’t wait for the final chapter.

6. The Walking Dead – Zombies, Drama, and a Lot of Walking

This one came out of nowhere in 2010, and by 2012, I was fully addicted. I didn’t know whether to feel sorry for the survivors or terrified of the zombies. Actually, I was mostly terrified of both. But hey, it’s the apocalypse.

Why It Was a Hit:

• Survival Story: The Walking Dead was all about surviving when everything’s gone to crap. I remember watching it and thinking, “How would I handle a zombie apocalypse?” Spoiler: I would not handle it well.
• Complex Characters: Everyone has their favorite character, and my best friend insists that Rick Grimes is the one true hero. Meanwhile, I was all about Daryl. Why? Because crossbows, man.
• Never-ending Suspense: Honestly, it felt like every episode was a countdown to doom. Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse, they did.

Key Stats:

• 17 million viewers for the Season 5 premiere. No wonder AMC made a killing.
• 10 seasons—and counting. Good thing zombies don’t need to take breaks.

7. Friends – A Classic You Can’t Escape

Yeah, yeah. You’ve seen Friends 10 times, and you’re about to watch it again. No judgment—I’m right there with you. I can still hear the theme song in my head. “I’ll be there for you…” 100% accurate.

Why We Love It:

• Timeless Relatability: Seriously, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve quoted Monica or Chandler in a conversation, and it was always met with, “OMG, I love that show!” No one can resist those six quirky pals.
• Memes Galore: It’s like Friends never stopped giving. From Ross’s “pivot” to Joey’s “How you doin’?”—this show practically invented meme culture.
• Endless Comfort: There’s just something about sitting down with Friends that makes everything feel… okay. Even if it’s just for 22 minutes at a time.

Key Stats:

• 25 million people watched the finale, and it wasn’t even on Netflix yet.
• Decades later, still one of the top binge-watches.

Conclusion

Anyway, here’s the kicker—TV has evolved like crazy over the past decade, but these shows have stuck with us. Whether it’s Game of Thrones with its dragons, Stranger Things with its spooky vibes, or Friends with its ridiculous yet relatable charm, these top 10 most-watched TV shows of the decade earned their place in TV history. And honestly, after writing all this down, I kinda want to rewatch The Office. Again.