‘The Queen’s Gambit’ Breaks Netflix Records

Netflix's The Queen's Gambit has been massively successful since its release.

The Netflix original, The Queen's Gambit, has become immensely popular since its release on October 23rd.


This Netflix original is based on a novel by Walter Tevis of the same name, which was adapted into a limited series with seven episodes. It has garnered 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 8.8/10 on IMDB. Additionally, it quickly became one of the most watched series on the streaming platform and had fans raving about it on social media. Netflix recently tweeted, showing the true magnitude of the show's success.

In a follow-up tweet in the same thread, Netflix also noted that the series made top 10 in 92 countries, ranking number one in 63. Also, the novel on which the show is based is now on the New York Times bestselling list, 37 years after its release. Lastly, Google searches for "how to play chess" have hit a nine-year peak.

The Queen's Gambit follows the story of a young, female chess prodigy, Beth Harmon, after she was orphaned at age nine. Harmon learns to play chess in the basement of the orphanage with the janitor, Mr. Shaibel. She eventually goes on to become incredibly talented in the game, winning many games and even tournaments. However, her success is not without hardship; she continues to live through the pain of loss and loneliness, as well as struggles with addiction and alcoholism which interferes with her games.

It stars Anya Taylor Joy as Beth, as well as Moses Ingram, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Jacob Fortune Lloyd, Marielle Heller, Bill Camp, Matthew Dennis Lewis, and Harry Melling.

Watch the trailer

All seven episodes of the mini-series are available to stream anytime on Netflix.

From our sponsors

From our partners

Top Stories

Ainsley Roh