It resembles Shogun is Disney Plus’ and Hulu’s Game of Thrones. fresh off its record-breaking launch last week, the Samurai show continues to conquer the streaming charts, where it ranks number one worldwide based on data from Samba TV (see X/Twitter post below) – a rare feat for a show on Disney Plus and Hulu. But the big question is whether it will last, because Netflix’s The gentlemen is already doing big numbers despite only being launched a few days ago.
The latest #SambaTVWeeklyWrap is here! This week, #SHOGUN battles the competition at #1 for another week. #LoveIsBlindS6 dropped its wedding episode, giving the #podsquad the #2 spot (we’ll see how the #LOVEISBLINDreunion did next week). In third place was #MillieBobbyBrown’s #Damsel, 4th… pic.twitter.com/4ZVO6o8YB3March 14, 2024
In the U.S, Shogun was the most-streamed TV premiere for an FX-developed show, beating the previous record of The bear season two. In other areas it is Shogun defeat The Kardashians season one to also become number one in the General Entertainment series category.
It also scores highly with critics, with a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an equally impressive 93% from viewers. But because new episodes are only released weekly instead of all at once, it means there’s a long gap between each new episode. How should you fill it? The show is pretty much unique in terms of setting and story, but there are plenty of exciting shows on Disney Plus and Hulu in other genres. Here are three of our favorites.
The bear
There are no swords in here, we know that, and no bears either. But the dialogue is sharp enough to do some serious damage in this exceptional drama and there are plenty of conflicts to watch from behind your fingers. Season one is good, but season two is even better, and the critics agree: it’s once again scored a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it’s won a slew of awards, too. It’s one of the very best TV shows on any streamer and some of the kitchen scenes in particular are just as stressful as anything you see in them. Shogun.
Andor
The setting may be a galaxy far, far away from feudal Japan, but Andor is no less epic. This live-action Star Wars spin-off, focusing on rebel spy Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), has a 96% Rotten Tomatoes rating and tons of good reviews. The New Republic says that “the show deserves to be seen as great TV, in the same league as shows like The Wire and The Sopranos,” while our friends at GameRadar said it is the “gritty, dark Star Wars show we’ve been waiting for for a long time.”
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Another top scorer, Percy Jackson and the Olympians sits at a very healthy 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. The titular Percy is on a dangerous mission threatened by terrifying monsters and angry gods, and it’s a great fantasy epic that, unlike Shogun, is also suitable for family visits. The Guardian said it’s a “beautiful, multiverse-free way to spend an evening with kids.” It’s so well done that a second season has already been greenlit.