Every quarter, the Top 20s give us more than a look at what’s trending. They offer a window into what stories are resonating, what strategies are working, and where the streaming ecosystem is headed. From genre-defining originals to cultural breakouts, Q1 was full of insight into how audiences engage with content—and what that means for marketers aiming to be part of the conversation.
At BENlabs, we curate the Top 20 rankings using data sourced from Nielsen, tracking peak monthly viewership throughout the quarter. To qualify, titles must have premiered in 2024 or late 2023 on each respective platform. We include original and acquired content across both films and series.
Here are some of the key takeaways we discovered when we looked beyond the screen and took a deeper dive into what the Top 20s are really telling us.
Original Streaming Content Continues to Bring in the Views—But the Lines Are Blurring
This quarter, only 4 of the Top 20 titles were non-originals—meaning content that was acquired by a streaming platform rather than produced in-house. This suggests that when it comes to what truly drives engagement, original content still leads the way. While acquired titles can be valuable fillers during release gaps, it’s originals that bring users in and keep them invested.
At the same time, the definition of “original” is becoming increasingly murky. Platforms are blurring internal lines by sharing content across brand families. HBO and Max, Showtime and Paramount+, even Disney+ and Hulu are mixing their libraries so seamlessly that it’s becoming hard to tell where one ends and another begins. This convergence is creating new kinds of value: the broadcast-to-streaming pipeline isn’t just a fallback anymore—it’s a deliberate strategy that benefits platforms, creators, and brands alike.
The blending of content ecosystems and the dominance of originals open powerful new opportunities for marketers. As titles move across platforms, their lifespan and reach grow—extending the value of any brand integration. At the same time, being part of a flagship series or a tentpole means more visibility, deeper cultural relevance, and longer-lasting impact. To stay ahead, marketers must think beyond labels and focus on the storytelling opportunities that travel farthest.
The Streaming Safety Net: Any Film can go Zero to Hero
Streaming continues to serve as a powerful safety net for theatrical films—and Q1 gave us a textbook example: Kraven the Hunter.
Through Sony’s theatrical-to-Netflix pipeline, Kraven went from critical flop to streaming success, landing a spot in the Top 20 and achieving nearly 7x its theatrical audience on streaming.
The takeaway? Audiences might pass in theaters but circle back at home, where the barrier to entry is lower. This highlights the value of integrating into titles with long-tail potential. Even if a theatrical release doesn’t hit big initially, its streaming resurgence can deliver significant exposure. Marketers embedded in these titles are positioned to capitalize on the renewed interest, reaching viewers as they rediscover these stories. Streaming gives films a second chance, and viewers are more willing to take risks when all it takes is a click.
We Already Know Netflix Can Shift Culture—But Government Policy?
In a sea of content, it’s the timely, culturally resonant titles that truly stand out.
Netflix’s Running Point, created by Mindy Kaling and starring Kate Hudson, is one such show. Centered on a woman running a fictional NBA team—loosely inspired by Lakers owner Jeanie Buss—it dives into the cultural conversation around gender equity in sports and leadership. In its second week, the series hit 1.36 billion minutes viewed, a 30% jump from its debut, thanks to strong word of mouth and critical acclaim. Its quick renewal signals what audiences are really looking for: stories that feel meaningful, reflect the world around them, and still manage to entertain—whether by making them think, feel deeply, or simply laugh.
Meanwhile, Netflix’s Adolescence hit even harder bringing with it not just conversation, but controversy and policy debate. The four-part drama follows a 13-year-old boy accused of murder, radicalized by manosphere content and social media. It earned 24.3M views in its first four days, topping charts in the UK and beyond. The show sparked such intense discourse that it was discussed in UK Parliament.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened with the show’s creators, the NSPCC, and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to discuss topics like online safety, a proposed “digital age of consent,” and even a potential ban on smartphones for children under 16. Netflix has since made the series available free to UK secondary schools. Starmer called it “harrowing,” but a necessary wake-up call. The message is clear: content can shift culture—and even influence policy.
The Sheridan Effect: Breaking Through the Netflix Wall
Landman continues to be a breakout success for Paramount+. Last quarter it debuted at #15; this quarter, it surged to #4.
That’s notable not just for the jump, but because Landman became the first Paramount+ original drama to crack Netflix’s traditionally dominant Top 20 hold. This quarter, Netflix accounted for 14 of the Top 20 titles—making Landman’s placement even more impressive.
That momentum carried over: the newest season of 1923 also broke into the Top 20, reinforcing what we already know—the Taylor Sheridan universe is one of the hottest properties in streaming.
What’s even more striking is that Landman grew in viewership after its finale, when most shows see a drop-off. Based on the Boomtown podcast, the show offers a gritty, high stakes look at the oil industry in the Permian Basin. A viral clip about wind turbines sparked real-world debate on X (formerly Twitter), with high-profile politicians weighing in on the show’s depiction of renewable energy. Whether praised or criticized, it drove conversation—and likely helped fuel further viewership.
The lesson is clear: strategic placement in content that sustains cultural momentum leads to extended visibility. Sheridan’s politically charged storytelling not only resonates with audiences but sparks discussions that extend far beyond the screen, ensuring marketers remain part of the conversation.
BENlabs Clients Continue to Dominate—and the Takeaways Are Clear
At BENlabs, we specialize in getting our clients into the hottest content with perfectly crafted integrations—and this quarter was no exception. Our presence across the Top 20s proves that strategic, story-driven placements are not just effective—they’re essential.
- 60% of the Top 20 streaming titles featured BENlabs integrations—that’s 12 out of 20.
- Excluding animation, we were in 70% of the Top 20 content.
- Those integrations across the Top 20s delivered a massive 188 million impressions.
Our clients aren’t just part of the conversation—they’re right at the center of it.
And what the Top 20s reveal this quarter is even bigger than placement stats. Streaming is evolving—fast. The lines between original and acquired content are blurring. Cultural resonance is more important than ever. And content that sparks conversation, travels between platforms, or creates real-world impact is what’s breaking through the noise.
The Top 20s aren’t just a leaderboard—they’re a roadmap to what’s shaping the entertainment and media landscape. From buzzy originals to political fire starters, this quarter proves that bold storytelling and smart brand integrations are the keys to rising above the noise.
At BENlabs, we help brands not only show up—but show up meaningfully. With our proprietary tools, we help you identify culturally relevant content early and craft the perfect integration moment tailored to your audience and message.
For marketers, the takeaway is clear: The right content isn’t just a media play—it’s a cultural one. As attention fragments across platforms and formats, being embedded in content that resonates socially, politically, or emotionally creates deeper, longer-lasting impact. Whether it’s tapping into the momentum of a breakout hit, joining conversations that ripple through Parliament, or riding the cultural highs of prestige storytelling, BENlabs gives brands the tools to be early, be intentional, and be unforgettable.
Let’s make sure you’re part of the next big moment.
This article was written by Rachel Econ, Content Curation Manager at BENlabs.
