1 of the Best Dystopian Dramas, The Handmaid’s Tale, Is a Hit on Netflix

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Dystopian stories are incredibly popular right now. We’re seeing a resurgence with franchises like Hunger Games and new hits like Silo and Fallout. Leading the way is The Handmaid’s Tale, which is currently a streaming sensation.

As a movie critic, I’m keeping a close eye on the charts, and right now, this show is seriously gaining traction. According to FlixPatrol, it’s currently the seventh most-watched series globally on Netflix! It’s clearly resonating with audiences worldwide, even hitting the top three in places like Argentina, Brazil, and France. But it’s not just Netflix – the show is also performing really well on HBO Max in Thailand and Prime Video in Austria, proving it’s a hit across multiple platforms.

The popularity of The Handmaid’s Tale has been renewed with the release of The Testaments. Like its predecessor, The Testaments is adapted from a novel by Margaret Atwood and centers on the experiences of two teenage girls, Agnes and Daisy. This dystopian drama continues the story established in The Handmaid’s Tale.

The Handmaid’s Tale Was Hulu’s First Big Hit Series

I was completely captivated by “The Handmaid’s Tale,” especially the chilling world it creates. It follows the story of women in Gilead, a place where those who are still able to bear children are essentially enslaved as “Handmaids,” forced to bear children for the powerful elite. I was particularly drawn to Elisabeth Moss’s incredible performance as June Osborne, or Offred, a woman who’s caught trying to escape and then forced into this horrifying life.

Hulu gained recognition for high-quality programming with The Handmaid’s Tale, which was among the first of its original series to receive major awards, including an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series – a first for a streaming show. The show boasted a talented cast, headed by Elisabeth Moss, and also featured Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Alexis Bledel, Madeline Brewer, Ann Dowd, O-T Fagbenle, Max Minghella, Samira Wiley, and others.

The Handmaid’s Tale Received Critical Acclaim

Currently, The Handmaid’s Tale has an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on reviews from critics. The first season was highly praised, earning a “Certified Fresh” score of 94%. Justin Burke of The Australian called it “a dark and brilliant series destined to be one of the best shows of the year,” and urged viewers not to miss it.

The show was a hit with viewers, earning a 90% audience score on Popcornmeter for its first season. Though later seasons didn’t receive quite as much praise from critics, they generally continued to receive positive reviews. Audience reactions were more varied, with Season 3 scoring 58% on Popcornmeter compared to an 82% critic score on Tomatometer.

Even though opinions about the show varied over time, The Handmaid’s Tale remains a standout and highly impactful series from the 2010s. Now, with the new spin-off, The Testaments, it’s once again a popular hit on streaming platforms.

You can watch The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu in the U.S., and on Netflix in certain countries around the world.

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2026-05-11 02:36