In the past five years, Chinese dramas have captured the attention of audiences worldwide, breaking streaming records and launching the careers of rising stars.

In this article, we explore the top 10 Chinese dramas with the highest viewership, highlighting their unique stories, standout performances, and the impact they’ve had on fans both in China and abroad.

1. The Knockout – 11.66 billion views

No Chinese drama had ever surpassed 10 billion streams until The Knockout appeared in 2023. Airing simultaneously on TV and online platforms, the series achieved impressive ratings across the board. Within just seven days, its popularity score on iQIYI exceeded 10,000, surpassing hits like Love Between Fairy and Devil and My Heroic Husband.

Despite being a crime-action drama, The Knockout became a massive hit, ranking highest on CCTV-8 in nearly nine years and scoring 8.5 on Douban. The series also catapulted stars like Zhang Yi, Zhang Songwen, and Gao Ye into fame overnight, outshining even the year’s popular period dramas.

2. My Heroic Husband – 5.76 billion views

A standout historical drama blending humor and suspense, the story follows Ning Yi (Guo Qilin), a son-in-law caught in countless misadventures, and his clever wife Su Tan Er (Song Yi).

The drama broke iQIYI popularity records with over 5.7 billion streams, earning a 7.0 Douban rating with over 55% of viewers giving 4–5 stars. The first season ended on a cliffhanger, and a second season has been confirmed, though filming dates remain unannounced.

3. A Lifelong Journey – 5.45 billion views

Spanning nearly 50 years, A Lifelong Journey tells the story of three generations of the Zhu family, depicting the joys and hardships of ordinary life. Mixing humor and heartfelt moments, the drama achieved remarkable success, topping iQIYI’s popularity charts and earning 8.4 on Douban. Broadcast ratings on CCTV reached an impressive 2,850%, solidifying its status as a quality drama.

4. Love Like the Galaxy – 4.73 billion views

A popular historical idol drama, Love Like the Galaxy propelled stars Leo Wu and Zhao Lusi into the spotlight as two of the most prominent ‘95 generation’ actors. The story follows young general Ling Buqi and Cheng Shaoshang, a girl waiting at home for her constantly absent parents. Together, they navigate challenges, heal each other, and address crises affecting family and country.

Critics praised the strong casting, on-screen chemistry, and high production value. Both lead and supporting actors delivered compelling performances that kept viewers engaged long after the series ended.

5. Joy of Life II – 4.68 billion views

Following the massive success of Joy of Life Season 1, which exceeded 10 billion streams, the second season maintained strong viewership. Continuing the mix of humor, suspense, and intense drama, the series follows Fan Nian (Zhang Ruoyun) navigating political intrigue and palace conspiracies while trying to protect his family and reclaim his place in history.

6. Sword Snow Stride – 4.29 billion views

This wuxia series follows the hardships of Xu Feng Nian (Zhang Ruoyun) as he overcomes adversity to inherit the throne of the Northern Liang dynasty. The drama achieved nearly 1 billion streams on its first day, driven by the adaptation of a popular IP and Zhang Ruoyun’s previous fame from Joy of Life. While reviews were mixed compared to Joy of Life, its viewership numbers remained impressive.

7. New Life Begins – 4.13 billion views

Starring Bai Jingting and Tian Xi Wei, this historical romance captured audiences with its sweet and natural love story between Yin Zheng, a young nobleman, and Li Wei, a talented young woman. Competing against other high-profile dramas, it quietly gained immense popularity thanks to smooth pacing, strong performances, and a well-developed storyline highlighting friendship and female empowerment.

8. Lost You Forever – 3.73 billion views

Adapted from Tong Hua’s famous novel, the series follows Xiao Yao (Yang Zi) as she navigates a tumultuous ancient world dominated by three tribes. After losing her identity and appearance, she disguises herself as a male healer, Wen Xiao Lu, to survive. The drama’s faithful adaptation, emotional depth, and strong performances helped lead actors Zhang Wanyi, Deng Wei, and Tian Jian Ci achieve widespread recognition. Douban rating: 7.8.

9. Love Between Fairy and Devil – 3.61 billion views

Initially underestimated as a typical xianxia drama, Lanling King captured audiences with a familiar yet well-executed story: a domineering moon lord falls for an innocent fairy girl. The chemistry between stars Dylan Wang and Esther Yu, combined with polished production, earned the series critical acclaim and high streaming numbers.

10. Mysterious Lotus Casebook – 3.53 billion views

A summer 2023 surprise hit, this wuxia detective drama stars Cheng Yi and Joseph Zeng. Focused on mystery and martial arts rather than romance, it tells the story of Li Xiangdi, who survives a near-fatal attack, assumes a new identity as Li Lianhua, and becomes a renowned healer. The duo solves complex criminal cases while building explosive on-screen chemistry. Douban rating: 8.5, with fans rewatching multiple times.

These top 10 Chinese dramas not only set impressive streaming records but also showcase the talent, storytelling, and production quality that define modern Chinese television. As the Chinese drama industry continues to grow and innovate, fans can look forward to even more compelling stories and unforgettable characters in the years to come.

Sources: K14