Google has dropped its list of the top 10 trending TV shows of 2024, and the results are stirring up a buzz. Despite a year packed with unforgettable series, HBO’s House of the Dragon shockingly landed in ninth place, falling short of the Top 5 and overshadowed by an eclectic mix of dramas, documentaries, and streaming originals.
Topping the list is Netflix’s Griselda, a biographical miniseries starring Sofía Vergara as the infamous crime boss Griselda Blanco. The gritty drama captured global attention with its release in January, setting the tone for what audiences seemed to crave this year: dark, gripping, and true-to-life stories.
In second place, Investigation Discovery’s docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV pulled no punches, diving into the controversies and toxic workplace allegations tied to Nickelodeon creator Dan Schneider. Following closely is Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, a harrowing true story that kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
Amazon Prime’s Fallout landed in fourth place, bringing some sci-fi excitement to the otherwise realism-heavy list. Meanwhile, Netflix’s The Perfect Couple rounded out the Top 5 with its mix of romance and intrigue, proving the streaming giant’s dominance with five entries on the list.
Here’s the full rundown of Google’s trending shows of 2024:
1. Griselda(Netflix)
2. Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV(Investigation Discovery)
3. Baby Reindeer(Netflix)
4. Fallout(Prime Video)
5. The Perfect Couple(Netflix)
6. Shōgun(FX/Hulu)
7. Fool Me Once(Netflix)
8. Nobody Wants This(Netflix)
9. House of the Dragon(HBO)
10. Your Honor(Showtime)
Interestingly, House of the Dragon—arguably one of HBO’s biggest series—only managed to secure ninth place, overshadowed by newer shows with broader appeal. Showtime’s Your Honor, which wrapped up in 2023, found new life on Netflix and managed to sneak onto the list at number 10.
The popularity of true stories and crime dramas hints at a shift in viewer preferences. Dark and realistic narratives dominated the charts, while genres like fantasy and sci-fi struggled to maintain the same level of impact. Even beloved shows with sprawling fan bases, like House of the Dragon, couldn’t stand up to the staying power of grounded, emotionally intense storytelling.
This year’s trends suggest that streaming platforms may double down on biographical dramas, crime thrillers, and emotionally heavy content. As audiences continue to gravitate toward gritty realism, it’s clear that the appetite for engaging, grounded stories is far from fading.
What’s your take on the list? Did your favorite show make the cut? Or are you surprised by House of the Dragon’s underwhelming placement? Let us know!
