As we get going in 2025 — a year in which the ever-evolving world of streaming will undoubtedly continue to change — it is easy to forget all of the major streaming stories that defined 2024. No matter how you look at it, the past 12 months had some epic moments on and off the screen. They were jammed-packed with amazing streaming content — some that stood miles above the rest — and some that just fell flat. Read on as we break down some of the biggest trends from last year as revealed by ExpressVPN.

What were we watching?

While there were plenty of binge-worthy series to be had in 2024, some stood out more than others. At the start of the year, the Netflix sci-fi series “3 Body Problem” took us on a fantasy mind trip and saw over 11 million viewers in the first four days, making it the most streamed title in the United States during its debut week. While Season 3 of “The Bear” was more hit-or-miss than the first two installments of the Emmy-winning series, the Jeremy Allen White-led Hulu hit was a major talking point throughout the summer.

But perhaps the biggest series of last year was the FX and Hulu historical drama “Shōgun.” The small-screen adaptation came in with a bang and went on to win 18 Primetime Emmy Awards and four Golden Globes.

We can’t forget Prime Video hits “Reacher” and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” as top streamed titles either. “Bluey” — which streams on Disney+ — was the runaway leader in terms of family-friendly entertainment, as a number of adult critics even included it amongst their top shows of the year.

And while live-action anime adaptations have historically been hit or miss, last year’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” proved a huge hit for Netflix as well.

What kept us entertained

Hit shows may have dominated our screens in 2024, but the world beyond entertainment delivered just as many unforgettable moments. From historic Olympic performances to viral internet sensations, last year kept us talking in more ways than one.

The Paris 2024 Olympics brought countless iconic moments, but few stood out as much as Rachael “Raygun” Gunn’s “gravity-defying” breakdancing routine. As the sport made its Olympic debut, Gunn’s performance turned her into an overnight sensation (though probably not in the way that Team Australia would have hoped), sparking viral clips, memes, and endless tributes from fans worldwide. On the other end of the spectrum, Turkish pistol shooter Yusuf Dikec made headlines for his unshakably calm and almost meditative approach to competition, proving that Olympic greatness doesn’t always come with theatrics.

Meanwhile, the entertainment world set out to recreate Barbenheimer with the simultaneous release of two cinematic heavyweights: “Wicked” and “Gladiator II”. Dubbed “Glicked,” this unexpected box office battle had fans choosing between the big Broadway spectacular and what proved to be a fairly repetitive historical sequel, flooding social media with debates, memes, and double-feature watch plans.

The biggest battle out of the year was in the ring, where Jake Paul and Mike Tyson attracted over 65 million viewers in the biggest global sporting event ever on Netflix. While the livestream nearly went down in the midst of it all, it wasn’t nearly as bad as the biggest bomb of the year, “Joker: Folie à Deux.”

Despite all of those stories, the drama wasn’t just on-screen in 2024. “It Ends With Us,” the highly anticipated adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, finally hit theaters — but not without controversy. Star Blake Lively made headlines after filing a lawsuit against co-star and director Justin Baldoni over alleged workplace issues on set, turning the film into one of the most talked-about productions of the year for reasons beyond its storyline.

And, of course, no pop culture recap would be complete without mentioning the year’s most unexpected viral icon: Moo Deng, the pink-hued hippo that took social media by storm. Whether it was her adorable expressions, hilarious memes, or the internet’s collective obsession with unusual animal stars, Moo Deng became an overnight phenomenon – proving once again that sometimes, the biggest breakout star isn’t even human.

Want more from 2024?

If you’re not quite ready to leave 2024 in the rearview mirror, don’t worry — you can keep the nostalgia road trip going. ExpressVPN has compiled an extensive deep dive into the biggest trends, viral moments, and cultural phenomena that defined the world of streaming in 2024. From social media crazes to headline-grabbing stories, their roundup covers it all in a way that will have you reminiscing (and maybe even cringing) about the past 12 months.

It’s a true rabbit hole of internet culture, packed with insights into what captured our collective attention while also offering a glimpse into what might shape 2025. Whether you want to relive the highlights or catch up on anything you missed, this retrospective is well worth exploring.