Here Are the Top 15 Most-Popular TV Series on IMDb This Week, with Martin’s Beloved Spin-Off on Top

With so many new and returning shows available, viewers are tuning in to a wide variety of dramas, comedies, and adaptations. This week, popular shows include both continuations of well-known stories and the beginnings of new crime and mystery series. From realistic city settings to fantasy worlds, these are the most talked-about shows on television right now. The current top rankings show a mix of long-time favorites and exciting new series just starting out.

‘Heated Rivalry’ (2025)

Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie lead this seven-episode series, which dives into a world of fierce competition and complicated relationships. With a mature rating, the show tackles serious themes and features adult content as it examines the pressures of professional life, where personal emotions often clash with career ambitions. Critics are praising its focus on compelling characters and its emotionally resonant portrayal of a high-stakes environment.

‘The Night Manager’ (2016)

This thrilling series, adapted from John le Carré’s acclaimed novel, centers on a British ex-soldier who becomes a spy and gets close to a dangerous arms dealer. Starring Tom Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine, the show features a talented cast including Diego Calva and Camila Morrone. Known for its stunning visuals, filming in locations around the world, and gripping suspense, it’s considered a standout in the thriller genre thanks to its clever writing and powerful performances.

‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)

This popular series, set in the 1980s town of Hawkins, Indiana, follows the strange occurrences that begin when a young boy goes missing and a girl with special powers appears. Starring Jamie Campbell Bower, Millie Bobby Brown, and Finn Wolfhard, the show centers around a group of friends who battle terrifying creatures from another dimension called the Upside Down. With its final season expected in 2025, the show remains incredibly popular due to its 80s vibe and thrilling storylines. It’s become a major part of today’s pop culture, successfully mixing horror, science fiction, and the challenges of growing up.

‘Bridgerton’ (2020)

This historical drama is set in London during the Regency era, following the lives of the eight Bridgerton siblings as they come of age and search for love and acceptance within the elite social circles. The series, starring Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha, is known for its beautiful costumes and sets, and offers a fresh take on classic romance stories. With its mix of captivating relationships and the secrets revealed by the mysterious Lady Whistledown, it’s become a popular show with a large audience.

‘Cross’ (2024)

Aldis Hodge plays Alex Cross, a detective who’s also an expert in understanding what makes criminals and victims tick. The series, inspired by James Patterson’s popular characters, features challenging cases in present-day Washington, D.C. It combines the details of police work with a look at Alex Cross’s personal struggles and ethical dilemmas. With its focus on psychological insights and realistic city settings, the show is quickly becoming a standout in the world of crime thrillers.

‘Love Story’ (2026)

This nine-part series stars Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon and explores the complexities of love and relationships today. With mature content, the show follows a couple’s relationship as it develops over time, looking at the psychological and social forces that shape how people connect. Since its release, it’s been widely discussed for its honest and sometimes difficult depiction of intimacy.

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

This sprawling fantasy series, which ran for eight seasons, tells the story of powerful families battling for the Iron Throne of Westeros. It follows several interconnected storylines involving political maneuvering, age-old predictions, and the terrifying approach of an army of the dead from the frozen North. Originally based on George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” books, the show became a worldwide hit and continues to draw in audiences with its detailed world and surprising character developments.

‘Unfamiliar’ (2026)

This six-part series is a suspenseful mystery where things aren’t what they seem. It follows people caught in unsettling situations, where everyday life feels dangerous and those around them act strangely. With a TV-MA rating, the show is tightly focused, building tension through its atmosphere and compelling performances. It’s quickly become popular thanks to its intriguing story and strong acting.

‘The ‘Burbs’ (2026)

This series unfolds in a typical suburban neighborhood, revealing the strange and secretive lives hidden within its homes. The eight-episode season focuses on the unease and curiosity that bubbles up when new residents arrive, causing the existing neighbors to become suspicious. Though it shares a name with the 1989 film, this version offers a fresh, modern take on themes of neighborhood watch and social interaction. With its mix of dark comedy and thrilling twists, it’s become a standout show for viewers who enjoy suspenseful entertainment.

‘Fallout’ (2024)

This show, based on the popular ‘Fallout’ video game series, takes place in a post-nuclear war America. It follows the stories of survivors – played by Walton Goggins, Aaron Moten, and Ella Purnell – as they struggle to live in a dangerous world filled with mutated creatures, bandits, and leftover technology from before the war. The series blends the harsh realities of survival with the darkly humorous and unique retro-future style of the games. Critics have especially praised how well it captures the world of ‘Fallout’ and expands on the existing story in a compelling new way.

‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’ (2026)

The show centers around three lifelong friends – played by Sinéad Keenan, Roisin Gallagher, and Caoilfhionn Dunne – who reconnect after a shocking event in their late thirties. Over eight episodes, they face difficult challenges and unravel a mystery that takes them from Belfast to the countryside of Donegal. The series blends humor and drama, exploring the complexities of lasting friendships and the burden of secrets. Its authentic Irish setting and the strong connection between the three lead actresses have made it a hit with viewers.

‘Spider-Noir’ (2026)

Nicolas Cage leads this new series as a seasoned private investigator in 1930s New York, who secretly is the city’s only superhero. Instead of the typical colorful superhero world, the show is dark and gritty, leaning into the style of classic detective stories. The eight-episode series reveals how this unique take on the famous web-slinging hero came to be, and the challenges he faces during the tough times of the Great Depression. It’s a different direction for the franchise, offering a more realistic and adult take on the superhero story.

‘The Pitt’ (2025)

This medical drama, starring Noah Wyle, offers a raw and realistic portrayal of life inside a busy city hospital. The show follows doctors and nurses as they handle both urgent medical cases and the larger problems facing the healthcare system. Over 31 episodes, it delves into the characters’ work and their complex personal lives. Its popularity suggests viewers appreciate its honest storytelling and the intense, high-stakes environment it depicts.

‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ (2022)

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo plays Mickey Haller, a lawyer who runs his practice from his Lincoln Navigator. The series, based on Michael Connelly’s popular novels, follows Haller as he tackles challenging cases throughout Los Angeles. Over five seasons and 50 episodes, the show has successfully combined gripping courtroom scenes with Haller’s journey to overcome personal struggles. Its enduring appeal comes from its compelling case-of-the-week format and Garcia-Rulfo’s captivating performance.

‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ (2026)

Set 100 years before the events of ‘Game of Thrones’, this series tells the story of Ser Duncan the Tall and his young apprentice, Egg. Starring Dexter Sol Ansell and Peter Claffey, the show is based on George R.R. Martin’s ‘Tales of Dunk and Egg’ and offers a fresh look at the world of Westeros. It’s a more personal story set during the peak of the Targaryen dynasty, focusing on knights and their travels. The first season, with seven episodes, has quickly become a hit for staying true to the original novellas.

Tell us which of these trending series you are currently binge-watching in the comments.

2026-02-22 17:49