While fans wait years for The Last of Us Season 3, another post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama is capturing attention on Netflix. The Rain, a Danish series that originally debuted in 2018, is seeing a major resurgence in 2025.
With over 10.9 million hours watched in the first half of the year, the three-season show has emerged as one of Netflix’s most surprising sci-fi success stories, proving that emotional storytelling and survival drama never go out of style.
Introduction to the Series: What Is The Rain About?
The Rain is set in a grim future where a deadly virus is spread through rainfall, wiping out most of Scandinavia. The story follows siblings Simone and Rasmus, who emerge from an underground bunker six years after the collapse of society.
Their goal is simple but dangerous: find their missing father, a scientist who may be linked to the virus itself. Along the way, they join a group of young survivors, facing infected landscapes, moral dilemmas, and the constant fear of death.
“At its core, The Rain isn’t about the virus it’s about what people are willing to do for family and survival,” said creator Jannik Tai Mosholt in a past interview.
Why The Rain Feels Like The Last of Us?
Fans of The Last of Us often point to familiar emotional beats in The Rain. Both shows blend intense action with deeply personal storytelling. The focus is not just on survival, but on relationships, trust, and the cost of staying human in an inhuman world.
Like Joel and Ellie, Simone and Rasmus share a bond that drives every decision they make. The result is a series that feels intimate, tense, and emotionally grounded.
A television critic described the show as “a quiet but devastating exploration of love and responsibility in a broken world.”
Key Features and Series Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Series Title | The Rain |
| Genre | Sci-Fi, Post-Apocalyptic Drama |
| Seasons | 3 |
| Original Release | 2018 |
| Final Season | 2020 |
| Language | Danish |
| Current Popularity | 10.9 million hours watched in 2025 (H1) |
| Core Themes | Survival, family, morality, hope |
The Mystery That Drives the Story
One of the most compelling elements of The Rain is the mystery surrounding Rasmus. From the start, it’s clear he is somehow connected to the virus. As the story unfolds, viewers learn that he may hold the key to both destruction and salvation.
This layered narrative keeps the tension high across all three seasons, balancing scientific intrigue with emotional fallout.
“The show succeeds because it makes the apocalypse personal,” noted a European TV analyst. “Every plot twist has emotional consequences.”
Viewing Performance: Netflix Numbers Tell the Story
Despite ending in 2020, The Rain is thriving in 2025. According to viewership tracking data, the show ranks among the top 30 most-watched sci-fi series on Netflix this year.
Viewership Breakdown (2025 – First Half)
| Season | Hours Watched |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | 10.9 million |
| Season 2 | 5.8 million |
| Season 3 | 5.1 million |
The data suggests that many viewers are discovering the show for the first time—and sticking with it through all three seasons.
Why the Series Became a Sleeper Hit?
When The Rain first premiered, it didn’t dominate headlines. But strong word-of-mouth, solid critical reception, and Netflix’s global reach helped it age well. Season 1 earned high praise for its grounded storytelling and character development.
Unlike many large-scale sci-fi shows, The Rain keeps its focus narrow. The apocalypse feels intimate, not overwhelming, which makes the emotional stakes hit harder.
One reviewer summed it up simply: “It’s not loud sci-fi. It’s thoughtful sci-fi and that’s why it lasts.”
Comparison: The Rain vs. The Last of Us
| Category | The Rain | The Last of Us |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Scandinavia | United States |
| Cause of Collapse | Virus spread by rain | Fungal pandemic |
| Core Relationship | Siblings | Protector and child |
| Emotional Focus | Family and identity | Survival and morality |
| Episode Style | Slow-burn drama | Cinematic action drama |
While the scale differs, both series explore similar questions about humanity, sacrifice, and hope.
Recent Popularity Update (2025)
In early 2025, The Rain experienced a noticeable spike in streaming hours, coinciding with renewed interest in post-apocalyptic content. With long gaps between major sci-fi releases, viewers are turning to completed series that offer emotional payoff without long waits.
Netflix’s recommendation algorithms have also helped introduce the show to a younger audience that missed its original run.
A streaming industry expert noted, “Completed series with strong endings are performing exceptionally well right now—and The Rain fits that trend perfectly.”
Why The Rain Matters for Sci-Fi Fans?
The Rain proves that sci-fi doesn’t need massive budgets or nonstop action to leave an impact. Its success highlights a growing appetite for emotionally rich stories that explore human connection in extreme circumstances.
For fans of The Last of Us, The Walking Dead, or survival dramas with heart, The Rain offers a complete, binge-ready experience that feels both thrilling and deeply human.
FAQs
The series concluded with Season 3 in 2020.
The show spans three seasons with a complete story arc.
Renewed interest in post-apocalyptic content and strong word-of-mouth have driven viewership.
Yes, both focus on survival, emotional bonds, and moral choices in a collapsed world.
Yes, its character-driven storytelling makes it accessible to a wide audience.
