Netflix’s new 8-part Western saddles up to No. 1 on streaming

Well, here’s a surprise from Netflix for your summer watchlist — their new Western series, Little House on the Prairie, has come out swinging and just toppled a major chart-topper. After just two weeks on the platform, it has overtaken I Will Find You (yes, the Harlan Coben adaptation everyone’s aunt’s been talking about) to pinch that coveted #1 spot.

The new series began on 9 July and immediately racked up 9.8 million views.

'Little House' rides again

This isn’t the first time Little House on the Prairie has made its way to television — the '70s series with Michael Landon is basically TV comfort food at this point — but Netflix has opted for a fresh version rather than a straight-up remake. Developed by Rebecca Sonnenshine, the show loosely adapts the Laura Ingalls Wilder novels, with Luke Bracey and Crosby Fitzgerald leading the new cast. If you’re expecting prairie bonnets and gentle moral lessons, you’ll still get some of that, but there’s a bit more dramatic bite this time round.

The viewing numbers

Here’s where it gets a bit nerdy for anyone tracking the streaming wars. When the show launched (9 July), it debuted at #3 for the week of 6–12 July. Since then, it's bounced round the daily Top 5, but for the week of 13–19 July, Little House on the Prairie finally nabbed the #1 slot. It’s shifted I Will Find You down to second place despite that one boasting more individual views (8.8 million versus Little House’s 9.8 million for that week). The difference? Little House’s episodes are being thoroughly binged, racking up 65 million hours watched for the week compared to I Will Find You’s 48.5 million hours. People aren’t just sampling — they’re ploughing through the lot.

• Little House on the Prairie: 9.8 million views, 65m hours watched
• I Will Find You: 8.8 million views, 48.5m hours watched
• The Hawk (Season 1): 4.8 million views, 24.7m hours watched
• Avatar: The Last Airbender (Season 2): 3.4 million views, 25.2m hours watched
• Worst Neighbor Ever (Season 1): 3.3 million views, 12.5m hours watched

(If you want the nerdy top 10, it's all the usual Netflix mix of reality, wrestling, and teen drama — not much Western competition.)

What do critics make of it?

The critical response is mostly positive. It’s sitting at 7.3/10 on IMDb and a Certified Fresh 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is better than half the streamer’s output these days. Reviewers have actually called it 'old-fashioned family entertainment' while still giving it marks for keeping viewers on their toes with a bit more edge compared to the '70s series. So if you want something everyone in the house can watch, and slightly fewer sickly-sweet morals, you’re in luck.

Season 2: What’s the deal?

Here’s the bit that’ll frustrate keen viewers: Season 2 is definitely coming, but not soon. In fact, Netflix was so confident about this hit that they renewed it four months before episode one even aired — always a flex, that. Right now, filming’s happening out in Canada and isn’t due to finish before October, so unless Netflix fancies a last-minute schedule shake-up, don’t expect more Little House until roughly this time next year.

If nostalgia’s your thing, you can still find the original Little House on the Prairie series on Peacock and Prime Video, or for those feeling particularly thrifty, on Pluto TV for free.