Despite what we learned in kindergarten, sharing isn’t always caring — especially when it comes to digital media files. Distributing copyrighted work without authorization is illegal, but it’s a growing trend worldwide that costs countries billions of dollars annually. Movie and TV piracy began during the advent of peer-to-peer sharing platforms. What began with early file-sharing networks has evolved into a complex criminal underworld of torrent sites and streaming platforms that put millions of users at risk daily.
The phenomenon gained momentum as BitTorrent technology made it easier to share large video files, while the near-universal access to high-speed internet has made downloads quicker than ever. Today, piracy affects every major Hollywood release and popular TV series, with some titles maintaining their top-10 position on torrent sites for as long as eight months! Our team at StreamSafely has sifted through the rankings and the available data to pinpoint the most pirated movies and TV shows of all time. We wanted to know what films fans are eager to see so that we can point them in the right direction on how to access them responsibly.
Why Certain Movies and TV Shows Get Pirated
Unfortunately, people engage in piracy for a variety of reasons, making it an issue without a simple solution. The massive popularity of the latest blockbuster or trending TV series can make missing them seem like missing out on an entire cultural moment. This makes many viewers turn to illegal sources rather than be a social pariah, especially when they feel increasingly priced out of legitimate options. In 2023, 48% of respondents cited price as the main factor of engaging in piracy.
Restricted access plays another significant role in piracy patterns. When content launches exclusively on specific streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, or HBO, viewers without the right subscription may seek alternative access rather than try to navigate endless bundles and deals. To make matters worse, licensing agreements can make even international platforms like Netflix vary greatly by country. These contractual agreements and other deals can also affect release dates, creating demand for content that is already officially available in one region, but not another.
Awards season also drives piracy numbers higher. Oscar contenders, Emmy nominees, and shows generating significant social media buzz often see spikes in illegal downloads as people want to participate in cultural conversations. Plus, cliffhangers and plot twists in popular TV series can make waiting for official releases feel unbearable, which leads viewers to seek episodes through known illegal streaming websites. Whatever the reason, and no matter how safe it may seem at the time, engaging in piracy online is never worth the real-world risks.
The Most Pirated Movies of All Time
TorrentFreak, an online publication dedicated to the latest news about copyright, privacy, and file sharing, posts weekly updates about which movies and TV are most commonly downloaded from illegal sites. At StreamSafely, we wanted to go bigger. Taking this weekly data and going back years, we wanted to pinpoint the most pirated movies of all time. By reviewing every title individually over the years, we found which movies were most frequently targeted by pirates. The following rankings are based on the number of weeks each title maintained its position among the top 10 most common torrented movies for the longest period of time.
1. “Top Gun: Maverick,” 32 Weeks
“Top Gun: Maverick” dominated torrent charts for an unbelievable 32 weeks, making it the most pirated movie in history. The long-awaited sequel to the 1986 classic combined nostalgia with cutting-edge aerial sequences, which made the film a must-see on both legitimate and illegal channels.
- You can stream “Top Gun: Maverick” on Paramount+ now
2. “Avatar: The Way of Water,” 30 Weeks
James Cameron’s return to Pandora spent 30 weeks on the top 10 torrent rankings. The film’s groundbreaking visual effects and immersive 3D were an incredible thing to witness and theaters, and it’s a shame so many chose to cheapen the experience with piracy.
- “Avatar: The Way of Water” is available for streaming on Disney+
3. “Oppenheimer,” 25 Weeks
Christopher Nolan’s biographical thriller maintained 25 weeks in piracy rankings. The cultural moment that was “Barbenheimer” and the film’s seven Oscar wins drove illegal downloads well beyond its initial release.
- “Oppenheimer” can be streamed legally through Peacock
4. “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Dune: Part 2,” “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” 24 Weeks
These three blockbusters each maintained 24 weeks on torrent charts. The Marvel crossover event of “Deadpool & Wolverine”, the epic sci-fi continuation of “Dune: Part 2,” and the Spider-Man multiverse spectacular all generated huge amounts of anticipation and excitement prior to their release.
- “Deadpool & Wolverine” can be streamed on Disney+
- “Dune: Part 2” can be viewed on Max
- “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is available on Hulu
5. “The Batman,” 22 Weeks
Matt Reeves’ dark take on the Caped Crusader spent 22 weeks in piracy rankings. The reboot starring Robert Pattinson attracted both longtime fans and new audiences and launched the spinoff TV series, “Penguin.”
- “The Batman” is available for streaming on Max
6. “Tenet,” 21 Weeks
Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi thriller was a top pick for torrenters for 21 weeks. Nolan’s reputation for mind-bending blockbusters drove sustained piracy interest well beyond its theatrical run.
- “Tenet” is available for streaming on Netflix
7. “John Wick: Chapter 4,” 20 Weeks
The latest installment of Keanu Reeves’ action franchise spent 20 weeks dominating piracy charts. The film’s elaborate fight choreography, stunning cinematography, and storytelling may have contributed to extended illegal streaming numbers.
- “John Wick: Chapter 4” is available to stream on Peacock now
8. “Barbie,” “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” “Black Widow,” 18 Weeks
These three female-driven blockbusters each spent 18 weeks as the most popular films on illegal streaming platforms. Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” was the other half to Christopher Nolan’s “Barenheimer” phenomenon. “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” delivered high-octane action that attracted both franchise fans and action enthusiasts to torrent sites. Marvel’s “Black Widow” provided long-awaited solo content for Scarlett Johansson’s character, generating significant illegal download numbers during Disney’s premium access period.
- “Barbie” is available on Netflix
- “Furiosa” is also available on Netflix
- “Black Widow” can be found on Disney+
9. “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” “Wonder Woman 1984,” 17 Weeks
Both films spent 17 weeks as the most downloaded content from torrent sites. Harrison Ford’s final adventure as the iconic archaeologist attracted longtime fans seeking closure to the beloved character’s journey. “Wonder Woman 1984” was released simultaneously to HBO Max and theaters after several COVID-19-related delays, which may have contributed to its number of illegal downloads.
- “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” is available through Disney+
- “Wonder Woman 1984” can be streamed on Max
10. “Mufasa: The Lion King,” “Fast X,” “Jurassic World Dominion,” 16 Weeks
These major franchise entries each maintained 16 weeks on torrent charts. Disney’s live-action “Mufasa” attracted both nostalgic adults and new, younger viewers. “Fast X” delivered high-speed action and franchise continuation that drove illegal streaming numbers throughout its extended theatrical run. “Jurassic World Dominion” featured both new and the star cast members from the original 1993 film, making it a must-see spectacle.
- “Mufasa: The Lion King” can be streamed on Disney+
- “Fast X” is available on Starz
- “Jurassic World Dominion” can be found on Peacock
| Movie Title | Legal Streaming Options |
| Top Gun: Maverick | Paramount+ |
| Avatar: The Way of Water | Disney+ |
| Oppenheimer | Peacock |
| Dead Pool & Wolverine Dune: Part 2 Spider Man: No Way Home |
Disney+ Max Hulu |
| The Batman | Max |
| Tenet | Netflix |
| John Wick: Chapter 4 | Peacock |
| Barbie Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Black Widow |
Netflix Netflix Disney+ |
| Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Wonder Woman 1984 |
Disney+ Max |
| Mufasa: The Lion King Fast X Jurassic World Dominion |
Disney+ Starz Peacock |
The Most Pirated TV Shows of All Time
Television piracy presents unique challenges compared to movie piracy since TV series generate more demand over a longer period of time. While even juggernaut blockbusters like “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Oppenheimer” can spend months atop the list of most pirated content, TV series with weekly episodes and new seasons annually can stay in the spotlight for years. The most pirated TV shows are typically both hugely popular in the culture at large and limited to just a single streaming service or channel, creating perfect conditions for illegal streaming.
TV series create cliffhangers, epic plot reveals, and social media fandoms that fuel the fear of missing out, driving viewers to seek unauthorized sources. The myths surrounding digital piracy often minimize the risks associated with accessing these shows through illegal channels.
At StreamSafely, we analyzed TorrentFreak’s data going back over a decade to find the most pirated TV shows of all time. Not only did we consider which shows hit the No. 1 position for each year, but we also reviewed which shows kept popping up in illegal downloads year after year.
1. “Game of Thrones”
HBO’s fantasy epic consistently ranked as the most pirated TV series throughout its eight-season run. Premiering in June 2011, the show was the No. 1 most pirated content from 2012 to 2017 and again in 2019 when the eighth season was released after a two-year gap.
- All seasons of “Game of Thrones” are available for streaming exclusively on Max
2. “The Walking Dead”
AMC’s zombie apocalypse series hit the No. 1 spot in 2018 as the most pirated TV show, which was when “Game of Thrones” was on hiatus. Although overshadowed by “Game of Thrones,” “The Walking Dead” held the No. 2 slot from 2014 to 2017, and was among the top 10 most pirated TV shows for 10 of its 11 seasons.
3. “House of the Dragon”
Following the popularity of “Game of Thrones,” the prequel series following House Targaryen immediately held the No. 1 spot on torrent sites during each of its two seasons. The show’s exclusive availability on Max and HBO, along with the popularity of its predecessor, likely contributed to illegal streaming numbers.
- “House of the Dragon” can be streamed on demand on Max
4. “The Mandalorian”
Disney’s Star Wars series became a flagship title for both Disney+ and torrent sites simultaneously. The show’s role in launching Disney’s streaming service, combined with limited international Disney+ availability initially (not to mention Baby Yoda’s impact on the cultural zeitgeist), contributed to significant piracy numbers. It was in the top three most pirated TV shows for three years, including hitting the No. 1 spot in 2020.
- “The Mandalorian” is available to watch on Disney+
5. “The Boys”
Amazon’s mixture of superheroes, satire, mature content, and social commentary put “The Boys” on a level all its own while similar genres were experiencing the pains of superhero fatigue. While never hitting the No. 1 slot, it’s been No. 2 on torrent sites twice and No. 3 once.
- You can stream “The Boys” on Amazon Prime Video now
6. “The Big Bang Theory”
CBS’s long-running sitcom maintained its popularity on piracy sites in part due to its broad appeal and international popularity, especially throughout Central and South America. The show held a top-10 spot on torrent sites every year from 2010 to 2019, consistently sitting at No. 3 or No. 4.
- “The Big Bang Theory” is available on Max and airs reruns on TBS
7. “The Flash”
The CW’s superhero series had a significant presence on piracy throughout its nine-season run. It was on the top 10 list from 2014 to 2020, peaking at No. 2 in 2018.
- All nine seasons of “The Flash” are available on Netflix
8. “Westworld”
HBO’s sci-fi series consistently ranked among the most pirated TV shows throughout its four-season run. At its peak, it held the No. 3 spot in 2016 and 2020.
- Although no longer available on Max, you can buy access to “Westworld” on AppleTV, Amazon Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
9. “Vikings”
The History Channel’s historical drama attracted audiences interested in Norse culture and medieval warfare through authentic costumes and character-driven storytelling. “Vikings” usually held a low spot among the top 10 from 2013 to 2019, with its highest position at No. 4 in 2018. Its popularity also spurred a spin-off series on Netflix, “Vikings Valhalla.”
- “Vikings” is available to stream on Netflix
10. “Rick and Morty”
Adult Swim’s animated sci-fi comedy consistently appears on piracy sites due to its cult following and limited streaming availability. The show’s mature humor, complex storytelling, and sporadic release schedule primed it perfectly for torrents. It made the top ten list three times, hitting No. 5 in 2017.
- “Rick and Morty” is available for streaming on Max and Hulu, with select episodes on AdultSwim.com and reruns on Cartoon Network.
| TV Show | Legal Streaming Options |
| Game of Thrones | Max |
| The Walking Dead | Netflix and for free on Philo |
| House of the Dragon | Max |
| The Mandalorian | Disney+ |
| The Boys | Amazon Prime Video |
| The Big Bang Theory | Max |
| The Flash | Netflix |
| Westworld | Buy or rent on AppleTV, Amazon Prime Video, and Fandango at Home |
| Vikings | Netflix |
| Rick and Morty | Max and Hulu, with select episodes on AdultSwim.com |
Find Safe Streaming Options With StreamSafely
StreamSafely is proud to provide all the best resources for finding legitimate streaming alternatives to dangerous illegal platforms. Our articles and comprehensive movie and TV database offer great ways to compare streaming services and make informed decisions about your entertainment subscriptions. There are countless reasons to avoid pirated content, including risking exposure to malware, identity theft, and legal consequences. StreamSafely helps connect you with safe, legal alternatives. Happy streaming!
