The Penguin Finale Sets New Viewership Record with 10% Increase, Reaching Series High in the U.S.

Matt Reeves’ latest addition to the Batman crime saga has come to a close. Since the first episode aired, The Penguin has been praised as one of the best superhero shows in recent years, and its viewership numbers prove it. According to SambaTV, the show has topped the viewership charts for six weeks straight, and it’s likely to make it seven.

The Penguin finale attracted 2.1 million U.S. viewers on HBO and Max, setting a new viewership record. This is a 50% increase compared to its debut, though Warner Bros. Discovery has not shared the premiere numbers.

While initial numbers weren’t made public, Variety reported that the show drew 5.3 million U.S. viewers across all platforms in its first week, surpassing the final season premiere of Succession (4.9 million) and the second season premiere of The White Lotus (4.1 million).

It also set the record for the largest 4-day audience for a new series on Max globally since The Last of Us in January 2023.

Episode 7 of The Penguin hit a series high with 1.9 million viewers, and Episode 1 has now reached 17 million U.S. viewers.

November 10 marked the series’ biggest day on Max in the U.S., leading to its best week both domestically and globally as viewers caught up before the finale. Globally, The Penguin is now the third most-watched debut season on HBO or Max, behind The House of the Dragon and The Last of Us.

As for a potential second season, The Penguin showrunner Lauren LeFranc shared at New York Comic Con that they would need to feel confident they can “top themselves” and further develop the characters. Colin Farrell also confirmed he would be open to returning for season two, despite the prosthetics, if the story is compelling enough.

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