A recent report from TorrentFreak named the titles most commonly downloaded through torrents for the year, highlighting which series drew the most piracy attention. The top pick for 2022 was House of the Dragon, the Game of Thrones prequel, which attracted a huge following among pirates. The piece notes that for many years, Game of Thrones consistently led download charts, but in 2022 that dominance shifted as WandaVision rose to the forefront of piracy interest, aligning with Marvel characters and streaming trends.
The analysis points out that the peak in piracy during 2022 was driven largely by new series making their debut that year. Many of the programs appearing on the list had not previously stood out in torrent rankings, underscoring how fresh premieres can surge into the piracy spotlight. This shift reflects how streaming platforms premiered a wave of high-profile shows that captured eager audiences eager to access episodes as soon as they released.
Beyond the top spot, the list features The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power on Amazon Prime and The Boys, also from Amazon Prime, in the upper ranks. Other major players in the top five included Moon Knight from Disney+ and Halo from Paramount+. These titles demonstrated strong cross-platform appeal and the power of highly anticipated releases to drive illicit distribution.
Other notable entries in the list include Obi-Wan Kenobi and The Book of Boba Fett, both on Disney+, along with Stranger Things on Netflix, She-Hulk on Disney+, and Andor on Disney+. Together, these entries illustrate the broad mix of streaming services that contribute to piracy trends, encompassing sci-fi universes, superhero sagas, and binge-worthy adventures across multiple platforms.
The report also touched on historical patterns, noting that in earlier years certain beloved franchises had consistently topped piracy charts. While the focus has evolved over time with shifts in platform strategy and release schedules, the underlying dynamic remains clear: highly anticipated content tends to attract a disproportionate amount of illicit distribution, particularly when viewers seek early or gap-bridging access to new seasons and episodes. As seen in previous cycles, piracy metrics can shift quickly as new shows debut and fans race to stay in step with ongoing storylines. [Attribution: TorrentFreak study on 2022 piracy trends]