In Just 10 Days, Netflix's New Sci-Fi Series Hits 15 Million Views After Spielberg Comparisons

Published Jun 5, 2026, 11:41 AM EDT

That's where The Boroughs comes in. Since its premiere on May 21, the eight-episode drama executive produced by The Duffer Brothers has accumulated 15 million views in roughly 10 days. It currently leads Netflix's Global Top 10 English-language shows, beating out the crime thriller Nemesis in the second spot. It's also the #1 show in 25 countries, with 59.4 million hours watched.

Created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, who serve as executive producers alongside The Duffers, The Boroughs centers on a group of senior citizens who reside in an upscale retirement home at the edge of the New Mexico desert. It follows Sam (Spider-Man 2 and Frida star Alfred Molina), a reluctant new arrival who shows up just as things take a turn for the creepy.

The series has drawn a bevy of comparisons. It's been referred to as Stranger Things for an older set due to the Duffer and Netflix connection and its focus on a group of friends stumbling upon something unusual and seemingly inexplicable. But in that way, The Boroughs is also an echo of Spielberg's work in classics such as E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Reviews for the Netflix Original have been largely positive, with some caveats regarding the pacing and fear factor. The exceptional cast of The Boroughs make it worthy of a recommendation. Along with Molina, the story is led by Geena Davis (Thelma & Louise, A League of Their Own), Alfre Woodard (St. Elsewhere, 12 Years a Slave), Clarke Peters (The Wire, Treme), Denis O'Hare (True Blood, American Horror Story), and Bill Pullman (Independence Day, The Sinner).

Carlos Miranda, Jena Malone, Seth Numrich, Alice Kremelberg, Ed Begley Jr., Rafael Casal, Anna Deavere Smith, Eric Edelstein, Jane Kaczmarek, Mary McDonnell, Bill Pullman, Karan Soni, and Dee Wallace fill out the ensemble in supporting and recurring parts. It sits at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 66 reviews, with an average score of 7.4/10. The audience score is also high, coming at 81%.

In her review of The Boroughs for ScreenRant, Jordan Williams highlights the Spielberg comparisons and underlines that the legendary cast elevates the episodes whenever the plot may hit a snag or a pacing issue.

After the cliffhanger ending in The Boroughs season 1, the relatively high viewership and solid response bode well for the future of the series and the potential for a renewal from Netflix. But, in any case, it's still early for curious subscribers to catch up on it.

The Boroughs is available to stream on Netflix.