The King of Streaming - Which Service Has The Top Movies and TV Shows?

Watching the latest movies and binging the hottest TV shows has never been easier. In 2022, nearly 67% of UK households reported having a smart TV, making it straightforward to add your favourite streaming service. But with so many services to choose from, how do you know which is best?

The big three: Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime

There are plenty of streaming services out there, but the top three at present are Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime. Each streaming service offers its own unique content not available on other services, as well as fan favourites. Between the three streaming services, there are almost 20,000 titles available.
The pricing structure of each varies, meaning that there is an option to suit everyone. Prices vary from £4.99 a month for a subscription with ads to £15.99 a month for Ultra HD on up to four devices.
Smart TVs are extremely affordable, with prices starting from as low as £149. Many now have apps built in for the top streaming services so you can dive into your favourite shows with just the click of a button. Some even come with dedicated buttons on remotes to start up your favourite shows and films immediately.

Description: Two halves of pie charts show the number of subscribers and titles on different streaming services. Netflix has 17.15 million subscribers and 7,429 titles. Disney+ has 7 million subscribers and 2,813 titles. Amazon Prime has 13.12 million subscribers and 9,500 titles.

Netflix

Netflix has been the most popular streaming service in the UK for many years, boasting 7,429 titles. Statista reports a total of 17.15 million Netflix subscribers by the end of 2022, although those numbers are estimated to drop as a result of the UK cost of living crisis and a slow uptake in ad-supported subscriptions.
A Netflix UK subscription costs:

• £4.99 a month: Ad-supported tiered subscription for one device at a time and no downloads.
• £6.99 a month: Watch on one device at a time in standard definition.
• £10.99 a month: Watch on two devices at a time in high-definition.
• £15.99 a month: Watch on four devices at a time in ultra HD.

Netflix’s Most Watched Movies 2023

The most watched movie on Netflix in 2023 so far is Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. This movie sees the return of Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc, a private investigator seen by some as ‘the world’s greatest detective’. It has been well received, with a 7.2-star rating on IMDb.
Number two on the list of most-watched movies this year on Netflix is You People. With an ensemble cast, this American romantic comedy has received mixed reviews, with an average IMDb rating of just 5.5 stars.
One of the highest-rated movies being watched on Netflix right now is All Quiet on the Western Front. The Netflix Original 2022 film, based on the 1929 novel of the same name, is a German-language epic and has proven to be extremely popular, gaining an average 7.8 stars rating from over 150,000 reviews on IMDb.

Description: A table shows the most popular movies on Netflix UK in 2023 to date, with the average rating of each movie and the number of reviews received on IMDb.

Most Watched Netflix TV Shows 2023

When it comes to the most watched TV shows on Netflix, it seems that it is Netflix Originals that dominate the screen. The release of Ginny & Georgia season 2 saw the show claim the number one most-watched spot on Netflix. Its average rating of 7.5 stars on IMDb shows that it is a fan favourite, as subscribers want to follow Ginny, Georgia, and Austin’s lives.
The most highly-rated show is another Netflix Original. Wednesday follows Wednesday Addams on a sleuthing, supernatural mystery. With some parts horror and others comedy, it took the world by storm and has received nearly 300,000 IMDb ratings to date.
The number three spot is claimed by Physical: 100. The South Korean reality competition puts 100 contestants against one another to be the last one standing. With contestants from a variety of backgrounds, it makes for intriguing viewing and has received an average rating of 7.7 stars.

Image description: A table shows the most popular TV shows on Netflix UK in 2023 to date, with the average rating of each movie and the number of reviews received on IMDb.

Disney+

Disney+ is rising in the ranks of streaming services, despite having a relatively low offering of 2,813 titles. The service surpassed 7 million customers by the end of 2022. With a huge amount of new and exclusive content, bolstered by its partnerships with STAR and National Geographic and the entire catalogue of Marvel movies and TV shows, it has something for everyone.
A Disney+ UK subscription costs:

• £7.99 a month: Watch on four devices at a time and registered up to ten devices.
• £79.90 a year: The Disney+ annual pass saves you 15% on your subscription, with the same benefits as above.

Most Watched Disney+ Movies 2023

It should surprise absolutely no one that one of the most watched movies on Disney+ in the UK is Encanto. The animated musical follows the extraordinary family Madrigal on a heartwarming adventure of self-discovery. It received an average IMDb rating of 7.2 stars, with the songs being heard everywhere.
One of the highest-rated offerings on Disney+ is Avatar. The 2009 epic science fiction film has become one of the most watched on Disney+, potentially as a result of the next addition to the franchise being released. It boasts an impressive 7.9-star rating from over 1 million reviewers on IMDb.
The movie Strange World boasts an impressive cast, but this animated sci-fi adventure film hasn’t fared well. Despite being the fifth most watched movie on Disney+ UK in 2023 so far, it only received a 5.6-star rating on IMDb.

Description: A table shows the most popular movies on Disney+ UK in 2023 to date, with the average rating of each movie and the number of reviews received on IMDb.

Most Watched TV Shows on Disney+ 2023

While Disney+ has a good offering of movies, it is the movies where the streaming service really shines. The most popular is the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. Currently in its 19th season, it follows surgical interns and residents at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital. While it has received the lowest IMDb rating on the list at 7.6 stars, it is a firm favourite amongst fans.
For many fans, Disney+ is the best place to watch those long TV shows with many seasons. This is clear not only from the popularity of Grey’s Anatomy but also Modern Family (11 seasons, average rating on IMDb of 8.5) and Criminal Minds (16 seasons, average IMDb rating of 8.1).
The catalogue of animated TV shows on Disney+ have also proven to be extremely popular, with Family Guy, The Simpsons, and Bluey appearing on the list of most-watched Disney+ TV shows. Bluey is the highest rated out of all of the TV shows we analysed, with an impressive 9.5-star rating from IMDb reviews.

Description: A table shows the most popular TV shows on Disney+ UK in 2023 to date, with the average rating of each movie and the number of reviews received on IMDb.

Amazon Prime Video

The second most popular streaming service on this list is Amazon Prime Video with over 9,500 titles. With 13.12 million subscribers by the end of 2022, it faces heavy competition from Netflix and Disney+ but has a number of exclusive offerings to bring in viewers. Depending on the subscription you opt for, you get additional benefits.
An Amazon Prime UK subscription costs:

• £5.99 a month: Access to Amazon’s video service and stream on three devices at a time.
• £8.99 a month: Amazon Prime subscription offering access to Amazon Prime Video as well as free next-day delivery, Prime Day access, and many other benefits.
• £95 a year: All of the benefits of the £8.99 a month subscription, saving you over 11%.

Most Watched Movies on Amazon Prime 2023

The most-watched Amazon Prime movies have the lowest IMDb rating on average at just 6.4 stars. Both romantic action comedies Shotgun Wedding, featuring Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel, and Superintelligence, starring Melissa McCarthy, Ben Falcone, and Bobby Cannavale, received just 5.4 stars on average.
That said, Amazon Prime still offers some excellent movies. Everything Everywhere All at Once received 7 Oscars and has an average rating of 7.9 stars. The sci-fi comedy became one of the most talked about online since its release.
Another high-rated offering from Amazon Prime is John Wick. The 2014 action thriller starring Keanu Reeves has created an epic franchise, but it is the original movie in the series that is the most popular. Boasting a 7.4-star rating from over 500,000 IMDb reviews, it follows a former hitman as he seeks revenge.

Description: A table shows the most popular movies on Amazon Prime UK in 2023 to date, with the average rating of each movie and the number of reviews received on IMDb.

Amazon Prime’s Most Watched TV Shows 2023

The most-watched TV shows on Amazon Prime in 2023 are another mixed bag. The Rig, an Amazon Prime exclusive, is a supernatural thriller and drama set on a remote Scottish oil rig. Widely advertised, it didn’t prove too popular with viewers, receiving an average IMDb rating of 5.8.
On the other hand, Clarkson’s Farm is the highest-rated Amazon Prime show on the list, receiving a 9.0–star rating. It highlights the challenges of running a farm with Jeremy Clarkson undertaking the task with no previous farming experience.
Two of the shows on Amazon Prime boast an 8.4-star rating. The first, The Legend of Vox Machina, is an adult animated series based on the online Dungeons and Dragons campaign of Critical Role. The show broke records by raising $11.3 million via crowdfunding, turning what was intended to be a 20-minute special into a full animated series.
The second show is The Handmaid’s Tale. Based on the novel by Margaret Atwood, it is a dystopian tragedy where society forces fertile women, known as ‘handmaids’ to bear children. The show makes for harrowing watching and has received nearly a quarter of a million ratings on IMDb to date.

Description: A table shows the most popular TV shows on Amazon Prime UK in 2023 to date, with the average rating of each movie and the number of reviews received on IMDb.

Who is the King of Streaming?

When it comes to the most popular and highest-rated titles available to stream on-demand in 2023, the answer is clear. Despite having the lowest number of subscribers and the least amount of titles to choose from, Disney+ is the winner, with an average rating of 7.7 stars across over 7 million reviews.
Amazon Prime comes in second, despite having some of the lowest-rated titles, with an average of 7.1 across 2.25 million reviews. The average Netflix rating is just 7.0 stars from under 2 million reviews.
Disney+’s formula of creating partnerships with STAR and National Geographic, adding classic movies, and giving homes to those long-standing TV shows we know and love, seems to have worked well for them.

Description: Line graph showing the ratings of the most watched movies and TV shows on Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime so far for 2023. The graph shows that Disney+ has a greater overall rating, based on IMDb reviews.

Adding streaming apps on a Smart TV

With a smart TV, it is easier than ever to watch films and TV shows on your favourite streaming service. Whether you opt for Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, or all three, you can access your app with just a few buttons. Here’s how.

1. Turn on your TV and ensure it is connected to the internet.
2. Navigate to your home screen, go to apps, and press ‘Select’ or ‘Enter’.
3. Either select the app you want from the list of ‘new’ or ‘most popular’ or search for the app by name in the search bar.
4. Navigate to ‘install’ and, once the app has finished downloading, you can then open it directly from the apps page. (Note, most streaming apps are free to download but require an account to use).

Looking to upgrade to a smart TV? Shop the biggest brands here on RGB Direct including Hisense TVs and SONY Smart TVs and get apps for your favourite streaming services installed on them. Relax and unwind at the touch of a button.
[CTA: Choose your smart TV and make streaming your favourite movies and TV shows easier than ever]

Data sources

• Subscription costs from Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime.
• Total UK subscribers and titles available from Statista.
• Top 10 on streaming in the United Kingdom in 2023 from FlixPatrol.

Average ratings collected from IMDb