When people talk about Netflix's biggest international hits, Squid Game usually steals the spotlight. But years before the Korean survival drama took over the world, another non-English series quietly became a massive phenomenon: Money Heist. The Spanish-language crime thriller, originally titled La casa de papel, proved that audiences everywhere were hungry for great storytelling—no matter the language.
From Spanish TV Drama to Global Obsession
Created by Álex Pina, Money Heist was initially conceived as a limited series about a heist on Spain's Royal Mint. It had a decent run on Spanish television, but by the end of its first season, it was running out of steam. Then Netflix stepped in. The streaming giant acquired worldwide rights, recut the episodes into a binge-friendly format, and quietly added it to its library—no big ad campaigns, no splashy premieres. As writer Javier Gómez Santander recalled, the show was left to the algorithm and the viewers to discover.
Within months, Money Heist transformed from a local Spanish drama into Netflix's most-watched non-English-language series. The show became so popular that Netflix reversed its planned ending and commissioned three more seasons with a much bigger budget.
Why the Show Connected with Audiences Worldwide
The series' global appeal lies in its blend of high-concept heist plotting and deeply emotional character drama. The Professor (Álvaro Morte) masterminded intricate plans, but viewers truly fell in love with the crew: Tokyo (Úrsula Corberó), Nairobi (Alba Flores), Berlin (Pedro Alonso), Denver (Jaime Lorente), Rio (Miguel Herrán), and others. Their relationships and personal struggles got as much screen time as the robberies themselves.
At a time when anti-establishment stories were resonating globally, Money Heist told the tale of ordinary people taking on powerful institutions. The thieves became anti-heroes, and audiences embraced them. Soon, the show escaped the screen: fans donned red jumpsuits and Salvador Dalí masks, the song “Bella Ciao” experienced a revival, and social media overflowed with cosplay, fan art, and tributes from viewers thousands of miles from Madrid.
Money Heist Opened the Door for Netflix's Global Era
Money Heist proved that audiences around the world crave quality storytelling, regardless of language. It was one of Netflix's first globally successful original programs, attracting massive viewership across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and North America. The numbers are still staggering: Part 4 ranks among the most-watched non-English shows in Netflix history with 106 million views, Part 5 follows closely with 99.2 million, and Part 3 remains in the all-time top 10. Few franchises can boast three different seasons on that list.
At its peak in 2020, Money Heist generated some of the highest global demand ever seen for a non-English series—even surpassing the peak later achieved by Squid Game. That doesn't diminish the Korean hit's accomplishments, but it highlights just how massive Money Heist became.
Netflix has since expanded the franchise with Money Heist: Korea, the successful Berlin spin-off, documentaries, games, and more projects in development. Nearly a decade after the original series premiered, the streamer is still finding new ways to return to Pina's world. For more on how Netflix turned international hits into a streaming juggernaut, check out how Netflix turned Harlan Coben's books into a streaming juggernaut.
When people remember the rise of international television on Netflix, Squid Game will always have its place. But Money Heist was the trailblazer—the show that proved a non-English series could conquer the world. For fans of crime thrillers, top-tier crime adaptations offer more gripping stories.
