American Primeval tops Netflix charts with 10.4 million views, holds 2nd spot just behind Missing You

American Primeval, Netflix's new historical drama, has everyone buzzing. The western miniseries scored a whopping 10.4 million views to snag the number two spot on Netflix's English-language TV chart. Harlan Coben's Missing You continues to be king of the chart with a viewership of 15.2 million, but American Primeval is giving it a run for its money.

The series is set during the 1857 Utah War and fuses history with old-fashioned fiction to keep you glued to the screen. The show, which opened on January 9, 2025, is doing so well that it has become one of the most-watched Netflix historical dramas in a while, up there with The Night Agent. And it's not just a hit in the US.

Tudum reports that American Primeval popped up in the Top 10 lists of 75 countries upon release. Everyone loved it, from the regular Joes to fancy critics. The six-episode saga is full of drama that gets your heart racing and presents characters you care about.

Variety says American Primeval is part of a competitive January 2025 lineup, with other shows like Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action, and Virgin River Season 6 also trying to grab audience attention. It's almost like choosing your favorite ice cream flavor when they're all so good!

Why is American Primeval so popular?

American Primeval delves into a wild chapter of American history, namely the 1857 Utah War, and the show is a hit because it seamlessly blends facts and fiction to depict what it was like to live through that intense era. The brains behind the project are renowned names. Creator and writer Mark L. Smith has scripted films such as The Revenant and Twisters in the past, while series director Peter Berg has helmed films such as The Kingdom and Deepwater Horizon.

It's a show about people trying to stay alive and stick together even as everything falls apart. The cast is brilliant, toplined by Taylor Kitsch, Betty Gilpin, and Dane DeHaan, with the veteran Kim Coates playing Brigham Young. The cast brings alive the heaviness of the drama, in their lives and all that happens around them.

Netflix's Tudum talked about how the show gets all the little things from the time right, and that's what makes people love American Primeval. It's like watching history come to life. The pre-release promotion by Netflix has been bang-on, too. The streaming platform had everyone pumped up with effective trailers and sneak peeks into the making of the show.

Post-release, people have been discussing on social media how you can't miss the show if you love history. Everyone's talking about American Primeval and everyone wants to watch it again and again. They're saying it's a story that sticks with you.

What's next for Netflix and its top titles?

American Primeval is turning heads with its 10.4 million views and the series has to contend with serious competition from Harlan Coben's Missing You, which is currently crushing it with 15.2 million views and enjoying top spot on Netflix's English-language chart.

As reported by Netflix Tudum, Missing You is a big hit across the globe, making it to the Top 10 in a whopping 87 countries. It's clear that people everywhere are loving it! However, hold on, because the race isn't over yet. Shows like Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action and Virgin River Season 6 are also causing quite the stir, with 7.7 million and 3.1 million views, respectively.

The numbers go on to show that Netflix is continuing with its efforts to cater something for everyone. Shows across genres are finding a fan base. There's more to come! American Primeval is still on the rise, as more and more people start talking about the series and more folks around the world tune in.

A lot of fans are keeping their fingers crossed for a second season that might look into other historical showdowns.