LayarHijau– Lighthouse, a Chinese film and television industry analytics platform, has released its list of China’s most-watched dramas of 2025, based on total cumulative viewership throughout the year. Topping the ranking is the period mystery drama Coroner’s Diary, starring Li Landi and Ao Ruipeng, with total viewership reaching 1.773 billion.
The drama edged out the modern romance The First Frost, led by Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan, which claimed second place with 1.751 billion total views. The close gap between the top two titles highlights the intense competition between costume dramas and modern romance series in 2025.
Next articles
Coroner’s Diary is widely regarded as one of the year’s biggest breakout hits. Set against an ancient backdrop, the series blends forensic investigations with romance, following the partnership between the characters played by Ao Ruipeng and Li Landi. Its tightly paced mysteries and strong emotional development helped sustain audience interest and fueled widespread discussion during its broadcast.
Ranking third is the costume romance drama Feud (Lin Jiang Xian), starring Bai Lu and Zeng Shunxi, which accumulated 1.589 billion views. The series tells the story of an immortal couple torn apart by misunderstandings, loss, and violent conflict, with a tragedy-driven narrative and frequent twists that kept viewers engaged.
Bai Lu also secured fourth place with the fantasy drama Moonlight Mystique, co-starring Ao Ruipeng, which recorded 1.467 billion views. With two dramas in the top four, Ao Ruipeng emerged as one of the most prominent actors on Lighthouse’s 2025 rankings.
Fifth place went to The Demon Hunter’s Romance, starring Song Zuer and Ren Jialun, with total viewership reaching 1.425 billion. The drama centers on a tragic bond between a human girl and a demon hunter, a relationship that traces back to their childhood. Song Zuer later reappears on the list at eighth place with The Prisoner of Beauty, co-starring Liu Yuning, which follows a political marriage between rival families that gradually turns into love.
The fantasy adaptation The Immortal Ascension, led by Yang Yang and Jin Chen, ranked sixth with 1.407 billion views. Close behind, Cheng Yi and Guli Nazha’s The Journey of Legend placed seventh with 1.393 billion views.
In ninth place, Love in the Clouds, starring Hou Minghao and Lu Yuxiao, recorded 1.188 billion views. Rounding out the top ten is The Glory, starring Chen Duling and Xin Yunlai, which achieved 1.101 billion total views.
Below is the complete list of China’s Most-Watched Dramas of 2025 according to Lighthouse, based on total viewership:
First place: Coroner’s Diary (Li Landi, Ao Ruipeng) – 1.773 billion
Second place: The First Frost (Bai Jingting, Zhang Ruonan) – 1.751 billion
Third place: Feud (Bai Lu, Zeng Shunxi) – 1.589 billion
Fourth place: Moonlight Mystique (Bai Lu, Ao Ruipeng) – 1.467 billion
Fifth place: The Demon Hunter’s Romance (Song Zuer, Ren Jialun) – 1.425 billion
Sixth place: The Immortal Ascension (Yang Yang, Jin Chen) – 1.407 billion
Seventh place: The Journey of Legend (Cheng Yi, Guli Nazha) – 1.393 billion
Eighth place: The Prisoner of Beauty (Song Zuer, Liu Yuning) – 1.371 billion
Ninth place: Love in the Clouds (Hou Minghao, Lu Yuxiao) – 1.188 billion
Tenth place: The Glory (Chen Duling, Xin Yunlai) – 1.101 billion
The ranking once again underscores the dominance of costume and fantasy dramas in 2025, while also reflecting the continued strength of modern romance series in attracting massive audiences across streaming platforms.
