Treasure Island Series Became Top MGM+ Show
The adaptation of the classic novel achieved record viewership within 24 hours of its October 11, 2026, release.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Television
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The new Treasure Island series has become the most-watched show on MGM+ in Germany, Italy, and Spain. In the United States, the series ranks as the second most-watched title on the platform.
Why it matters
The streaming success of the series highlights high consumer interest in the 1883 classic despite mixed reactions from critics and audiences.
The series holds a 14% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from seven reviews and a 5.3/10 score from 229 audience reviews on IMDb.
The players
Ridley Scott
He is a prominent filmmaker currently developing a separate feature film version of the classic novel.
Hugh Jackman
The actor has been cast to portray the character Long John Silver in the upcoming feature film project.
Robert Murphy
He is the creator of the streaming series adaptation currently available on the MGM+ platform.
Robert Louis Stevenson
He is the 19th-century author who wrote the original Treasure Island adventure novel published in 1883.
The details
Created by Robert Murphy, the show adapts the Robert Louis Stevenson novel, following Jim Hawkins as he joins Long John Silver and Captain Smollett on a voyage. Meanwhile, Ridley Scott is developing a separate feature film adaptation starring Hugh Jackman as Long John Silver.
Timeline
The original Treasure Island novel was published in 1883.
Ridley Scott began developing his film adaptation by June 2026.
The Dog Stars was released in theaters on August 28, 2026.
The Treasure Island series premiered on MGM+ on October 11, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The simultaneous development of a high-profile film by Ridley Scott and this streaming series reflects a broader trend of reviving classic literature for both theatrical and digital audiences. This strategy illustrates how studios leverage iconic intellectual property to compete in the crowded streaming marketplace.
Viewers can watch the series exclusively on the MGM+ streaming platform. The availability of the show remains consistent across international territories where the service is active.
The takeaway
While the streaming series has seen immediate viewership success, the mixed audience and critic scores suggest that viewer engagement is still evolving. Prospective viewers may want to monitor critical reception before committing to the full series.
Further reading
Explore more industry analysis on the Television section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBR.
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