Some Netflix weeks feel like a victory lap. This one feels more like a mixed report card. For the week of October 12 to 18, 2026, two titles held their global crowns, a returning favorite proved its staying power, and two hyped releases never made the list, according to What’s on Netflix.
Netflix Top 10 Week Updates
| Title | Type | Views | Week | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below | English TV | 21.2M | 2 | Held #1 with a 24.68% hours jump |
| Animals | English film | 30.8M | 2 | Held #1 with a 29.44% jump |
| The Diplomat S4 | English TV | 4.8M | 1 | Debuted at #5 |
| TYSON | Docuseries | 5.1M | 1 | Solid sports-doc debut |
| Love Is Blind S11 | Reality | 3.6M | 1 | Steady, but below past highs |
| Doctor X: Mafia in White | Non-English TV | 7.1M | 2 | #1 non-English series |
The Diplomat Season 4: Steady, Not Spectacular
Keri Russell’s political drama, The Diplomat, opened at #5 with 4.8 million views and reached the Top 10 in 58 countries. That matters because it quiets worries that Netflix might not bring the show back.
Here’s how the opening weeks compare:
| Season | Opening Week Views |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | 8.5M |
| Season 2 | 5.6M |
| Season 3 | 4.8M |
| Season 4 | 4.8M |
Season 4 matched season 3 exactly, which is a good sign. The audience has settled after the big season 1 debut, and viewers are sticking around. In a year when many returning English-language series have slipped, holding steady is a quiet win.
Below and Animals Keep the Crown
Both titles grew in their second week, which is rare. Animals gained 29% in viewing hours but sits in the middle of the pack against 2026 releases and similar films. It’s a comfortable winner, not a breakout.
Below is the bigger story. Its 24% hours increase puts it near high performers like Griselda and The Perfect Couple, and horror usually struggles on the series side. Reports say the cast and crew call it a limited series, but a strong second week could keep the door open for more.
Why Sacrifice and Hollywood Arts Missed?
Sacrifice launched on Netflix in only two places, the US and France. It did well locally, hitting #2 in the US and #3 in France, but that wasn’t enough to crack the global weekly chart. It was beaten by UNABOMBER in its fourth week and by the Ice Age films.
Hollywood Arts earned under 2.5 million views in week 1, with 12 episodes working against it. That’s close to Bet, which did get renewed after a stronger second week. Cheaper YA shows have a chance, but this isn’t an instant renewal like Finding Her Edge or Crew Girl.
1. Below: The Runaway Leader
Below grew 24.68% in hours in week 2, which is unusual for a horror series. Its 21.2 million views are more than three times the next show’s. It sits near high performers like Griselda and The Perfect Couple.
2. East of Eden: Big Start, Steep Drop
In week 3, hours fell 50.63%. That’s a normal drop for a limited series after its launch spike. Still, 6.2 million views keep it comfortably at #2, and its roughly seven-hour runtime means viewers are watching deep into the story.
3. Instadocs: AI Gone Wild: Short and Snackable
It matched TYSON in views at 5.1 million but logged only 2.3 million hours. That points to a very short runtime, roughly half an hour per view. Viewers sampled it quickly rather than binging.
4. TYSON: A Respectable Sports Doc
At 5.1 million views and 22.5 million hours, the Mike Tyson docuseries performed decently for a week-1 sports title. It trails Neymar: The Perfect Chaos but beats most other recent sports docs.
5. The Diplomat Season 4: Steady Fans
The Diplomat opened with 4.8 million views, the same as season 3, across 58 countries. Its 33.5 million hours rank third on the list, a sign that people watch the full season. That bodes well for a future renewal.
6. Love Is Blind Season 11: Reliable, Not Rising
With 3.6 million views, the US reality hit is on par with season 9 but below its recent peaks. It remains Netflix’s most bankable reality brand, even as the numbers cool.
7. Spike: A Quiet Debut
Spike drew 2.8 million views and 8.5 million hours in week 1. That works out to about three hours per view, so viewers who tried it tended to keep watching.
8. Is It Cake? Halloween Season 2: Light Seasonal Fun
At 2.7 million views, this is a low-commitment holiday watch. Its roughly two-hour average per view suggests viewers stop at a few episodes rather than finishing the season.
9. Haunted Hotel Season 2: Holding Steady
It missed the Top 10 in its first week, then landed here with 2.7 million views, about the same as season 1. Whether that’s good enough for season 3 depends on Netflix, but the creator is reportedly ready.
10. Raw (October 12): The Wrestling Wildcard
The weekly wrestling broadcast pulled 2.5 million views, with hours up 4.65%. It’s a steady performer that often sneaks into the list.
FAQs
How did The Diplomat season 4 perform on Netflix?
It debuted at #5 with 4.8 million views across 58 countries. That matches season 3’s opening and keeps the show’s future looking secure.
Why did Sacrifice miss the Top 10?
It streamed only in the US and France, which limited its total views. It still hit #2 in the US and #3 in France.
