iWorld
Disney Plus’ Falcon and Winter Soldier tops Nielsen’s streaming chart
Mumbai: Netflix is the uncrowned SVOD king in the United States. This is what the latest report from US-based information, data, and market measurement firm Nielsen seems to suggest. According to Nielsen’s data, the OTT giant enjoys an unquestionable lead compared to their competitors, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video in all categories that include original series, movies, and acquired shows.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier leads the series category
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is the most popular original series in the United States. Premiered on Disney+, this six-episode series is a part of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe (MCU). The mini-series received rave reviews from all corners, and audiences are now eagerly waiting for a fourth Captain America movie which will be the continuation of this series.
Amazon Prime’s Them is another original series that is grabbing maximum eyeballs. Created by Little Marvin and executive produced by Lena Waithe, this horror anthology series has impressed the viewers with its raw cinematic language. The series stars Deborah Ayorinde, Ashley Thomas, Alison Pill, and Ryan Kwanten in the lead roles.
Netflix has a handful of original series that are now the hottest picks among the US audiences. The OTT giant’s reality show ‘The Circle’ is enjoying a huge fan base in the country. Amid receiving negative reviews, Netflix’s Dad stop embarrassing me has been received warmly by the US audiences. The historical drama series The Crown has also succeeded in impressing the audiences. Other Netflix series that are currently placed in Nielsen’s list of top originals in the US are The Crown, The Serpent, and Who Killed Sara.
Netflix’s Thunder Force creates wonders
When it comes to movies on SVOD, Netflix’s Thunder Force topped Nielsen’s list. Directed by Ben Falcone, this film stars Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer, Bobby Cannavale, Pom Klementieff, Taylor Mosby, Melissa Leo, and Jason Bateman in the lead roles. Upon its digital release on 9 April on Netflix, the film received unanimously positive reviews from audiences and critics. The movie revolves around the life of two childhood best friends who meet in the latter part of their lives, and one among them now has a formula that could give superhuman powers to ordinary people.
American documentary movie Why did you Kill Me? is another top pick among US audiences. The film follows the life of Belinda Lane as she tracks down those involved in the murder of Crystal Theobald, her daughter, using MySpace.
The science-fiction movie Synchronic is another Netflix film that is topping Nielsen’s list. Directed by Justin Benson, this film stars Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan in the lead roles. The film revolves around the life of New Orleans paramedics and long-time best friends Steve and Dennis who discover a mysterious new drug at the scene of multiple gruesome accidents.
Disney+ films that enjoy a spot in the Nielsen list are Moana, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Frozen. However, no movies from Amazon Prime Video were included in this list of most-watched movies in the United States.
According to the Nielsen data in the acquired show category, Netflix is away ahead of Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video. The top show in this list is Netflix’s NCIS, followed by Grey’s Anatomy, Cocomelon, Criminal Minds, Schitts Creek, Heartland, Nicky Ricky Dicky and Dawn, The Baker, and The Beauty, Supernatural and New Girl. No acquired show available on Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video made its way to the list of most-watched acquired shows.
iWorld
Why Peaky Blinders is one of television’s biggest hits that still deserves more attention
Six seasons, multiple awards and the release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man bring the Shelby saga back into the spotlight
In the crowded universe of streaming content, only a handful of shows manage to leave a lasting cultural footprint. Peaky Blinders is overwhelmingly considered one of the biggest global hits of the past decade. Yet many viewers still haven’t fully explored the dark, gripping world of the Shelby family.
Originally produced for the UK’s BBC and later finding a massive global audience through Netflix, the series quietly grew from a British period drama into a worldwide streaming phenomenon.
Created by Steven Knight, the show follows the rise of the Shelby crime family in post-First World War Birmingham. What begins as a gritty street-gang story gradually expands into a sweeping narrative about ambition, politics, power and survival.
At the centre of the saga is Thomas Shelby, portrayed with extraordinary depth by Cillian Murphy. The casting of Murphy is widely regarded as perfect for the role. With piercing eyes, restrained dialogue and an almost hypnotic screen presence, he transforms Shelby into one of the most unforgettable characters in modern screen storytelling.
Murphy’s brilliance lies in his restraint. He rarely shouts or performs theatrically. Instead, a quiet stare, a calculated pause or a subtle shift in expression conveys the emotional storms within the character. Beneath the ruthless gang leader is a war veteran carrying trauma, guilt and loneliness. Murphy captures this complexity with remarkable precision, making Thomas Shelby both terrifying and deeply human.
Beyond its central performance, Peaky Blinders stands out for its unfiltered portrayal of reality. The show does not romanticise crime. Instead, it exposes the harsh social conditions of early 20th-century Britain, from poverty and class struggle to political extremism and the psychological scars left by war.
The series also presents powerful female characters who hold their own within the Shelby empire. Polly Gray, played by Helen McCrory, is the strategic backbone of the family and one of the most formidable figures in the story. Women in the series shape decisions, influence power structures and challenge the rigid social norms of the time.
Across six seasons, the narrative grows dramatically in scale. What begins in the smoky streets of Birmingham evolves into a story involving political conspiracies, fascism and international criminal networks.
The series has also earned significant critical acclaim. It won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Drama Series in 2018 and multiple National Television Awards for Best Drama, cementing its reputation as one of Britain’s most celebrated modern shows.
Another defining feature of the series is its iconic music. The show’s opening theme, Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, became instantly recognisable and widely associated with the Shelby universe. Combined with a powerful soundtrack featuring artists such as Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead, the music helped shape the show’s dark, stylish identity and became hugely popular among fans.
And the Shelby story is not over yet.
In fact, its legacy is unfolding right now. The long-awaited feature-length continuation, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, was released on March 6, 2026, bringing the Shelby universe from streaming screens to cinemas and giving fans a new chapter in the saga.
For viewers who have not yet stepped into this world, the timing could not be better.
Six gripping seasons are ready to binge on Netflix. A new film has just arrived in theatres. And at the heart of it all stands one of the most magnetic performances in modern drama by Cillian Murphy.
So if Peaky Blinders has been sitting on your watchlist for years, this weekend is your moment.
So, by order of the Peaky fookin’ Blinders, consider this your cue to finally step into the ruthless world of Thomas Shelby. Pour yourself a drink, clear your schedule and press the play button. Because when the Peaky Blinders give an order, you listen.
