The Most Popular Telenovela, Ranked

Choose the Telenovela you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:51
Telenovelas, with their intricate plots and captivating characters, hold a special place in the hearts of millions. By ranking them, fans get a snapshot of which shows are resonating with audiences and sparking the most excitement. This dynamic listing helps new viewers decide where to start and enthusiasts to see where their favorites stand. When you participate in casting votes for the top telenovelas, you contribute to a broader communal insight into what makes these stories so engaging. Whether it's the romantic twists, the rich narratives, or the charismatic portrayals, your input helps highlight the quality and appeal of these series.

What Is the Most Popular Telenovela?

  1. 1
    74
    votes

    La Reina del Sur

    Arturo Pérez-Reverte
    This telenovela is based on the novel of the same name by Spanish author Arturo Pérez-Reverte. It follows the story of Teresa Mendoza, a woman who becomes involved in the drug trade and rises to power in the male-dominated world of narco-trafficking. It has been praised for its strong female lead and gripping plot.
    La Reina del Sur is a popular telenovela that originally aired in 2011. It is based on a novel of the same name written by Spanish author Arturo Pérez-Reverte. The telenovela follows the story of Teresa Mendoza, a young Mexican woman who becomes involved in the world of drug trafficking. It explores her journey as she rises to power and becomes a powerful and influential figure in the underground drug trade. La Reina del Sur is known for its gripping storyline, intense performances, and high production value.
    • Genre: Telenovela
    • Original Release: 2011
    • Based on: La Reina del Sur novel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
    • Country: Mexico
    • Language: Spanish
  2. 2
    37
    votes

    Betty la Fea

    Fernando Gaitán
    This Colombian telenovela is perhaps the most famous of all time. It tells the story of Beatriz "Betty" Pinzón, a plain and unassuming woman who works at a fashion company. Despite her appearance, Betty is intelligent and capable, and she eventually wins the respect and love of her colleagues. The show has been remade in dozens of countries around the world.
    Betty la Fea is a popular Colombian telenovela that tells the story of Beatriz Pinzón Solano, a highly intelligent but unattractive woman who works at a prestigious fashion company. The telenovela explores themes of inner beauty, self-acceptance, and the challenges faced by women in the workplace.
    • Original release: 1999-2001
    • Country of origin: Colombia
    • Genre: Comedy-drama
    • Number of episodes: 335
    • Language: Spanish
  3. 3
    27
    votes

    Cuna de Lobos

    Carlos Olmos
    This Mexican telenovela was originally broadcast in 1986, but it remains popular to this day. It tells the story of Catalina Creel, a wealthy and manipulative woman who will stop at nothing to secure her family's fortune. The show is known for its complex characters and intricate plot.
    Cuna de Lobos is a Mexican telenovela that originally aired from 1986 to 1987. It is considered one of the most iconic telenovelas in the history of Mexican television. The storyline revolves around the Villarreal family, where love, betrayal, and power struggles dominate their lives.
    • Original release: 1986-1987
    • Genre: Drama, Crime, Thriller
    • Number of episodes: 170
    • Country: Mexico
    • Language: Spanish
  4. 4
    16
    votes
    This Mexican telenovela follows the story of a beautiful and ambitious woman who will do anything to achieve wealth and status. The show has been praised for its strong performances and compelling storyline.
    Rubí is a popular Telenovela that tells the story of Rubí Pérez Ochoa, a beautiful and ambitious young woman who stops at nothing to climb the social ladder. In her quest for wealth and power, she manipulates and seduces men, causing chaos and heartbreak along the way.
    • Original release: 2004
    • Genre: Telenovela, Drama
    • Country of origin: Mexico
    • Language: Spanish
    • Number of episodes: 115
  5. 5
    9
    votes

    Maria la del Barrio

    Ines Rodena
    This Filipino telenovela is based on the Mexican show of the same name. It tells the story of Maria Hernandez, a young woman who is taken in by a wealthy family after her mother dies. Maria faces numerous obstacles as she tries to find her place in the world. The show has been praised for its social commentary and portrayal of strong women.
    Maria la del Barrio is a popular Mexican Telenovela that aired from 1995 to 1996. It is a dramatic and romantic series that tells the story of Maria Hernandez, a young, poor girl who faces numerous challenges and adversities in her journey to find love and happiness. The telenovela revolves around Maria's tumultuous relationships with her stepmother, Soraya Montenegro, and her love interest, Luis Fernando de la Vega.
    • Genre: Telenovela/Drama
    • Country of origin: Mexico
    • Original language(s): Spanish
    • Number of episodes: 100
    • Original network: Televisa
  6. 6
    15
    votes

    Amor Real

    Carla Estrada
    This Mexican telenovela is set in the 19th century and tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a wealthy landowner. The show has been praised for its historical accuracy and strong performances.
    Amor Real is a Mexican telenovela that aired in 2003. It is a period drama set in the 19th century and tells the story of Matilde Peniche de la Riva, a young woman who is forced to marry a wealthy landowner but falls in love with another man. The telenovela explores themes of love, duty, and class struggle.
    • Genre: Drama
    • Country of Origin: Mexico
    • Language: Spanish
    • Number of Episodes: 95
    • Original Network: Canal de las Estrellas
  7. 7
    11
    votes
    This Mexican telenovela follows the lives of six teenagers who attend a prestigious private school. The show has been praised for its portrayal of young people and its exploration of social issues. It has also spawned a successful pop group of the same name.
    Rebelde is a popular Mexican telenovela that aired from 2004 to 2006. It was created by Cris Morena and produced by Televisa. The show follows the lives of a group of students at the Elite Way School who form a music band called RBD. The telenovela explores themes of friendship, love, and teenage struggles.
    • Genre: Teen telenovela
    • Country of origin: Mexico
    • Language: Spanish
    • Original network: Televisa
    • Number of seasons: 3
  8. 8
    9
    votes
    Pasión de Gavilanes
    Rriosta · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Pasión de Gavilanes

    Julio Jiménez
    This Colombian telenovela tells the story of three brothers who fall in love with three sisters from a rival family. The show has been praised for its strong performances and compelling storyline.
    Pasión de Gavilanes is a Colombian telenovela that aired from 2003 to 2004. It follows the story of the Reyes brothers, three noble and attractive men who seek revenge against the Elizondo sisters, a powerful and wealthy family. As the story unfolds, love, passion, secrets, and betrayals intertwine, making it a captivating tale of romance and drama.
    • Genre: Telenovela
    • Country of origin: Colombia
    • Original language(s): Spanish
    • Number of seasons: 1
    • Number of episodes: 188
    Pasión de Gavilanes in other rankings
  9. 9
    6
    votes

    Yo soy Betty, la fea

    Fernando Gaitán
    This Colombian telenovela follows the story of Beatriz "Betty" Pinzón, a plain and unassuming woman who works at a fashion company. Despite her appearance, Betty is intelligent and capable, and she eventually wins the respect and love of her colleagues. The show has been remade in dozens of countries around the world.
    Yo soy Betty, la fea is a Colombian telenovela that aired from 1999 to 2001. It tells the story of Beatriz Pinzón Solano, a highly intelligent but unattractive woman who becomes an executive at a fashion company. Despite facing constant ridicule and discrimination for her appearance, Betty proves her worth and challenges societal norms.
    • Original Release: 25 October 1999 – 8 May 2001
    • Country of Origin: Colombia
    • Language: Spanish
    • Total Number of Episodes: 337
    • Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
    Yo soy Betty, la fea in other rankings
  10. 10
    5
    votes
    This Philippine telenovela is based on the Mexican show of the same name. It tells the story of Marimar, a poor and uneducated young woman who falls in love with a wealthy man. The show has been praised for its heartwarming storyline and engaging performances.
    Marimar is a classic Mexican telenovela that aired from 1994 to 1995. It tells the story of Marimar, a naive and innocent young woman who falls in love with Sergio, a wealthy man from the city. Created by Inés Rodena, the telenovela became a huge success and is considered one of the most popular and iconic telenovelas of all time.
    • Genre: Romantic Drama
    • Original Network: Televisa
    • Original Release: November 28, 1994 - August 25, 1995
    • Number of Episodes: 175
    • Protagonists: Thalía and Eduardo Capetillo

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Telenovela. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Telenovela is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 3713 views
  • 197 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Telenovela once every 24 hours. The rank of each Telenovela is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular telenovela

Telenovelas, also known as "novelas," are a type of television drama series popular in Latin America and Spain. These shows typically have a limited number of episodes, ranging from 80 to 200, and air on a daily or weekly basis. Telenovelas are known for their dramatic storylines and often feature themes of love, betrayal, and family struggles. Some of the most popular telenovelas to date include "La Usurpadora," "Rebelde," and "Yo Soy Betty, La Fea." These shows have gained a massive following worldwide and continue to captivate audiences with their compelling narratives and talented casts. With so many beloved telenovelas to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one reigns supreme as the most popular among fans.

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