Before Netflix, These Shows Were The Most-Watched Online
TV piracy has always been a messy mirror of demand: the shows people can’t wait for, can’t easily access, or don’t want to add another subscription for often end up topping torrent charts. Below is a data-backed, time-spanning look at 20 series that completely dominated piracy—pulled primarily from TorrentFreak’s long-running year-end rankings and supported by industry analyses. These shows reveal both the power of cultural obsession and the limits of streaming availability.
Game Of Thrones
The undisputed king of piracy. For years, HBO’s fantasy juggernaut shattered download records, topping TorrentFreak’s annual lists so reliably that Guinness World Records even recognized it as the “most pirated television programme.” At its peak, entire episodes were shared across hundreds of thousands of torrents simultaneously, making it the quintessential example of global demand overwhelming distribution barriers.
HBO, Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
House Of The Dragon
The heir apparent to GoT’s throne. House of the Dragon led TorrentFreak’s global charts in 2022 and again in 2024, showing the franchise’s continued pull in the streaming era. Even with HBO Max available, regional availability gaps and the high level of anticipation pushed fans to seek episodes wherever they could. The Targaryen fire still burns bright.
HBO, House of the Dragon (2022–)
The Mandalorian
Baby Yoda didn’t just break the internet—he broke torrent charts too. Disney+’s flagship sci-fi adventure became 2020’s most-pirated show, proving that platform exclusivity can massively fuel piracy. With limited international rollout at the time, fans across the globe had no legal way to watch. The Mandalorian’s mix of nostalgia, weekly drops, and memeable cuteness made it irresistible.
Disney+, The Mandalorian (2019–)
WandaVision
Marvel’s surreal sitcom-mystery mashup wasn’t just a Disney+ hit—it was the piracy world’s number-one obsession in 2021. The show’s strange blend of TV tropes, Easter eggs, and MCU revelations fueled weekly speculation and social-media chatter. That sense of must-watch urgency, combined with subscription exclusivity, made it one of the fastest-rising torrent sensations of the last decade.
Loki
The God of Mischief is just as sly on torrent charts as he is onscreen. Loki perched near the top of lists in 2021 and again in 2023, buoyed by Marvel’s must-watch status and its cliffhanger storytelling style. Streaming exclusivity only heightened the demand. Piracy once again proved that no trickster can resist the spotlight of global fandom.
The Last Of Us
HBO’s haunting adaptation of the acclaimed video game didn’t just dominate Sunday nights—it dominated torrents worldwide. The Last of Us became TorrentFreak’s most-pirated show of 2023, with piracy-tracking firm MUSO noting its massive share of global unauthorized streams. The show’s cinematic scale, emotional punch, and must-see buzz made it irresistible to fans across multiple continents.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power
Amazon’s billion-dollar fantasy gamble was always going to draw attention—and it did, both legally and illegally. Landing at No. 2 on TorrentFreak’s 2022 chart, The Rings of Power demonstrated how prestige genre projects attract immense unlicensed demand. High production values, lore-rich storytelling, and a massive marketing push ensured torrents surged right alongside official Prime streams.
Amazon Studios, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022–)v
The Boys
Prime Video’s ultraviolent superhero satire continues to fly high not just with critics, but also with pirates. It landed No. 2 on TorrentFreak’s 2024 list, showing enduring popularity well into its later seasons. Its sharp parody of Marvel/DC tropes, over-the-top action, and weekly release schedule make it prime fodder for fans unwilling—or unable—to subscribe.
Amazon Studios, The Boys (2019–)
Shōgun
FX/Hulu’s breakout historical epic became one of the most pirated shows of 2024, a surprise to many but proof of global buzz translating directly into torrent traffic. Word-of-mouth critical acclaim and a sweeping cinematic scope catapulted Shōgun into the piracy spotlight. For fans craving prestige period dramas, the limited regional availability only stoked download demand further.
The Walking Dead
At its peak, The Walking Dead wasn’t just a ratings monster—it was a piracy phenomenon. New episodes were downloaded over a million times within 24 hours of release, often only trailing Game of Thrones. The zombie apocalypse’s mix of shocking deaths, cliffhangers, and delayed international access made it a mainstay of TorrentFreak’s annual piracy lists.
AMC, The Walking Dead (2010–2022)
The Big Bang Theory
Not every piracy hit involved dragons and superheroes. This long-running network sitcom consistently ranked near the top of TorrentFreak’s lists in the mid-2010s, riding its mainstream popularity. Its massive global audience and staggered release schedules across countries pushed many fans to torrenting. Even the world’s favorite group of nerds couldn’t avoid becoming a piracy staple.
CBS, The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019)
Dexter
Showtime’s twisted crime drama about a serial-killer-with-a-code carved out a devoted (and pirating) fanbase. In 2012, it ranked second on TorrentFreak’s chart, proof that premium-cable access gaps fueled torrents. The show’s cliffhanger storytelling and polarizing finale kept it in piracy conversations for years, reminding us that not all pirated shows were fantasy spectacles.
Breaking Bad
As Walter White’s transformation from teacher to kingpin captured the world’s attention, torrents soared. Breaking Bad ranked among the most pirated shows in 2013, a fitting parallel to its explosive finale. The mix of critical acclaim, delayed release windows internationally, and skyrocketing fan speculation ensured it lived not only on AMC, but across torrent trackers worldwide.
Stranger Things
Netflix’s supernatural 80s nostalgia bomb often appears in TorrentFreak’s annual top ten, including 2022, proving that even widely available shows aren’t immune when hype is at fever pitch. Its combination of cliffhangers, binge-worthy drops, and pop culture dominance make it a piracy magnet. When Demogorgons and synth soundtracks are trending, torrents always follow close behind.
Netflix, Stranger Things (2016–)
Westworld
HBO’s ambitious sci-fi series debuted straight into the piracy spotlight. In 2016, Westworld ranked No. 3 on TorrentFreak’s list, showing how quickly fresh, high-concept TV can break through. The show’s mind-bending puzzles and prestige visuals made it appointment viewing—and for many, appointment torrenting. Its early seasons were a perfect storm of hype and exclusivity.
The Witcher
Geralt of Rivia didn’t just slay monsters—he slayed torrent charts too. Netflix’s fantasy hit was a steady fixture on piracy lists, even hitting the top three in 2021. With Henry Cavill’s brooding charisma, big-budget production values, and overlapping fandom with gaming communities, The Witcher proved nearly impossible for pirates to resist. Toss a coin, indeed.
Arrow
Before cinematic universes dominated theaters, the Arrowverse ruled TV—and torrents. Arrow was a TorrentFreak top-ten staple in the mid-2010s, its vigilante storytelling and crossover events boosting demand. The CW’s staggered international distribution left many fans outside the U.S. with few legal options, ensuring Oliver Queen’s adventures reached pirate networks just as fast as cable.
The Flash
Another CW mainstay, The Flash consistently charted in TorrentFreak’s mid-2010s piracy rankings. Its weekly mix of superhero spectacle, serialized arcs, and cliffhangers created urgency among global fans. Paired with Arrow, it represented a wave of superhero TV that audiences far beyond American borders consumed—often unofficially. The speedster lived up to his name in torrents too.
Vikings
History Channel’s historical epic cut its way into 2016’s most-pirated shows list, riding a wave of global fandom. With its violent battles, Norse mythology, and sprawling family drama, Vikings was a natural for both binge-watching and piracy. Its availability issues abroad fueled torrent traffic, proving historical dramas can draw crowds as ravenous as fantasy epics.
History Channel, Vikings (2013–2020)
Suits
Long before it became a Netflix resurgence story, Suits was a piracy favorite. The slick legal drama made TorrentFreak’s 2016 list, a rare example of a non-genre series breaking through. Its witty banter, stylish flair, and lack of global accessibility helped it spread across torrent sites. Even lawyers in sharp suits couldn’t dodge the piracy spotlight.
USA Network, Suits (2011–2019)
Mr. Robot
Rami Malek’s hacker drama tapped straight into internet culture—and internet piracy. Mr. Robot cracked 2015’s top-ten list, the kind of buzzy, conversation-driven series that viewers wanted immediately. Its anti-corporate themes and tech-savvy audience made torrents almost inevitable. The show’s unconventional structure and shocking twists gave pirates a field day with each unpredictable season drop.
USA Network, Mr. Robot (2015–2019)
What This Says About TV Today
Piracy spikes when shows become cultural events—and when access is fragmented by regional windows or subscription silos. TorrentFreak’s rankings, paired with industry studies, consistently show fantasy epics, superhero sagas, and zeitgeist thrillers dominate unlicensed viewing. Game of Thrones’ multi-year reign, House of the Dragon’s 2022 and 2024 wins, and The Last of Us topping 2023 all prove one thing: when fans are desperate, they will always find a way.
Glenn Carstens-Peters, Unsplash
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