The battle for streaming supremacy has produced two clear winners in the UK this year. According to JustWatch’s latest Half Year Recap, Euphoria emerged as the most in-demand TV series between January and June 2026, while I Swear claimed the top spot among movies — proving that audiences have been split between returning favourites, award-season successes and some of the biggest new releases of the year.
The data drop, which tracks the most-watched titles across UK streaming platforms, also reveals that viewers continued to gravitate towards a mix of prestige drama, blockbuster adaptations and franchise favourites as the streaming landscape became increasingly competitive.
Euphoria takes the streaming crown as fans prepare for the final season
After years of anticipation, Euphoria has once again captured the attention of UK audiences, topping JustWatch’s list of the most in-demand TV shows of the first half of 2026.
The HBO drama’s return has been one of the biggest television events of the year, with fans revisiting the turbulent world of Rue Bennett (Zendaya) and her classmates ahead of the show’s final chapter. The series consistently delivered huge numbers for HBO, with its previous seasons becoming cultural moments and attracting millions of viewers worldwide.
The excitement surrounding the final season only intensified interest, as audiences returned to the series to catch up before the story reached its conclusion; its finale boasted 8.7m viewers in 3 days, 17% over season 2.
Following closely behind was The Pitt, the gripping medical drama that has quickly become one of the year’s breakout hits. Its realistic, high-pressure portrayal of emergency room life has earned strong word of mouth and helped it secure a place among the UK’s most-watched streaming titles.
The Rookie rounded out the top three, continuing its run as one of the most reliable crime dramas on streaming platforms. Meanwhile, other major names in the top 10 included A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, FROM, The Night Manager, Pluribus, Heated Rivalry, Stranger Things and Game of Thrones — showing that audiences remain drawn to both established franchises and fresh storytelling.
The presence of Stranger Things and Game of Thrones also highlights the staying power of global hits, with viewers continuing to revisit fan-favourite universes long after their original releases.
I Swear leads the movie race as award-winning drama beats blockbusters
While streaming audiences were hooked on returning TV favourites, the movie charts belonged to I Swear, which secured the No. 1 position in JustWatch’s UK Half Year Recap.
The emotional drama’s success has been boosted by its critical acclaim and strong awards momentum. The film was recognised at the 2026 BAFTA Awards, where it picked up major attention during the ceremony and helped cement its reputation as one of the year’s must-watch films.
Its triumph is particularly notable given the competition it faced. Project Hail Mary, the big-screen adaptation of Andy Weir’s bestselling science-fiction novel, landed in second place, while One Battle After Another followed in fourth. The rankings demonstrate that while major Hollywood releases continue to attract audiences, powerful storytelling and award recognition can still drive significant streaming demand.
Other films making the UK top 10 included The Shadow’s Edge, Sinners, Nuremberg, Send Help, The Running Man, Weapons and Dracula: A Love Tale, reflecting the wide range of genres currently dominating viewers’ attention — from horror and thrillers to historical dramas and sci-fi adventures.
The latest weekly charts also show that streaming popularity can shift quickly. ProjectHail Mary climbed back to No. 1 in the UK movie rankings for the week of June 29–July 5, while The Sheep Detectives and Ready or Not: Here I Come also secured spots in the Top 10.
On the TV side, fantasy remained a powerful force, with House of the Dragon taking the weekly No. 1 position across HBO Max, Sky Go and NOW TV. FROM and Widow’s Bay followed close behind, proving that audiences are still hungry for mystery, horror and expansive worlds. With the first half of 2026 already delivering a diverse mix of streaming successes, JustWatch’s charts underline one thing: whether it is a long-awaited final season, an award-winning drama or a blockbuster adaptation, UK viewers are still chasing the stories everyone is talking about.
