The Most Successful Telenovela, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the telenovela you think is the most successful!
Updated on May 10, 2024 06:59
Telenovelas, with their intricate plots and captivating characters, hold a special place in the hearts of viewers around the world. Evaluating which of these series resonate most can offer fascinating insights into cultural trends and audience preferences. Such rankings not only shine a light on popular stories but also highlight the evolving tastes of viewers over time.
By participating in this ranking process, users contribute to a broader understanding of what makes a telenovela stand out in a crowded media landscape. Each vote helps to shape a clearer picture of the top telenovelas, providing a valuable resource for others to find beloved series they might not have otherwise encountered.
What Is the Most Successful Telenovela?
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160votes
Yo soy Betty, la fea
Fernando GaitánThis Colombian telenovela is considered one of the most successful of all time, with its story of an unattractive woman who becomes a successful businesswoman capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide.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- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular Telenovela
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240votesThis Mexican telenovela about a group of teenagers attending a prestigious prep school became a cultural phenomenon, launching the careers of its young stars and inspiring merchandise, spin-offs, and adaptations.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
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314votes
La Usurpadora
Salvador Mejía AlejandreThis Mexican telenovela about twin sisters who switch places and fall in love with each other's partners has been remade and adapted numerous times, indicating its enduring popularity.La Usurpadora is a Mexican telenovela created by Salvador Mejía Alejandre. It aired in 1998 and quickly became one of the most successful telenovelas of all time. The story revolves around twin sisters, Paola and Paulina, who are polar opposites. Paulina, a kind-hearted woman, is forced to assume her sister's identity when Paola disappears in order to prevent her marriage from falling apart. The telenovela is known for its gripping plot filled with drama, romance, and suspense.- Original release: 1998
- Genre: Drama
- Country of origin: Mexico
- Language: Spanish
- Number of episodes: 102
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411votesThis Filipino telenovela about a poor young woman who falls in love with a wealthy man was a huge success in its home country and in other parts of Asia, making its star, Marian Rivera, a household name.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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56votes
Betty la fea
Fernando GaitánThis Mexican version of "Yo soy Betty, la fea" was a ratings hit and won numerous awards, cementing its place in telenovela history.Betty la fea is a Colombian telenovela that tells the story of Beatriz Pinzón Solano, an intelligent but unattractive woman who faces discrimination in her workplace due to her appearance. She becomes the secretary of a prestigious fashion company, where she experiences various challenges and opportunities for personal growth.- Genre: Telenovela
- Country: Colombia
- Original language: Spanish
- Number of episodes: 335
- Original network: RCN Televisión
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615votesThis Mexican telenovela about a beautiful but manipulative young woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants was a ratings juggernaut, spawning remakes and adaptations in other countries.Rubi is a popular Mexican telenovela that aired in 2004. It was created by Yolanda Vargas Dulché and produced by José Alberto Castro and Angelli Nesma Medina. The show tells the story of Rubi Pérez Ochoa, a strikingly beautiful, ambitious and manipulative young woman who aspires to a life of wealth and luxury. Rubi will go to any lengths to achieve her goals, including betraying her friends and loved ones. The dramatic and captivating storyline captivated audiences worldwide and made Rubi one of the most successful telenovelas of all time.
- Year of Airing: 2004
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Country of Origin: Mexico
- Language: Spanish
- Number of Episodes: 115
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713votes
Los ricos también lloran
Valentin PimsteinThis Mexican telenovela about a poor woman who falls in love with a wealthy man was a sensation in its time, launching the career of its star Veronica Castro and becoming one of the most-watched telenovelas of all time.Los ricos también lloran is a highly successful Mexican telenovela that aired in 1979. It is considered one of the most iconic telenovelas of all time.- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Country of Origin: Mexico
- Original Language: Spanish
- Number of Episodes: 200
- Main Actors: Veronica Castro, Rogelio Guerra, Rocio Banquells
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88votes
Cuidado con el ángel
Delia FialloThis Mexican telenovela about a young woman with amnesia who falls in love with a wealthy man was a ratings success, launching the career of its star Maite Perroni and winning multiple awards.Cuidado con el ángel is a popular telenovela that aired from 2008 to 2009. It was created by Delia Fiallo, a renowned Cuban-Venezuelan writer known for her contributions to the telenovela genre. The story revolves around the life of Marichuy, a humble and kind-hearted young woman who becomes a nun. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets Juan Miguel, a wealthy and heartbroken doctor. The telenovela is filled with romance, intrigue, and family dynamics, making it a captivating and emotional journey for viewers.- Year of airing: 2008-2009
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Original language: Spanish
- Number of episodes: 195
- Producer: Nathalie Lartilleux
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95votes
La Patrona
Valentina PárragaThis Mexican telenovela about a woman who becomes the owner of a mining town after her father's death was a hit with audiences, winning numerous awards and launching the career of its star Aracely Arámbula.La Patrona is a Mexican telenovela that aired from 2013-2014. It is a dramatic series revolving around the life of Gabriela Suarez, who returns to her hometown to seek justice for her father's death and ends up becoming the powerful owner of the steel company her family once owned.- Genre: Drama
- Original release: January 8, 2013 – July 8, 2013
- Number of episodes: 127
- Protagonist: Aracely Arámbula
- Antagonist: Jorge Luis Pila
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102votes
Rriosta · CC BY-SA 4.0Pasión de Gavilanes
Julio JiménezThis Colombian telenovela about three brothers who fall in love with three sisters was a ratings success in its home country and abroad, inspiring a remake in India and an adaptation in the United States.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- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular Telenovela
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Ranking factors for successful telenovela
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RatingsThe highest ratings achieved by the telenovela during its original airing or reruns can indicate its popularity among the audience.
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ViewershipThe number of viewers who watched the telenovela can also indicate its success.
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Critical acclaimThe telenovela’s success can also be measured by the critical acclaim it received from television critics and awards shows.
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International appealA telenovela that has been well received in multiple countries can be considered a successful one.
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Historical impactA telenovela that has had a significant impact on the culture or society over time can also be considered successful.
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Influence on pop cultureA telenovela that has influenced popular culture and has been referenced in music, film, and other media can be considered successful.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most successful 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
- 1758 views
- 168 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 successful telenovela
Telenovelas have captured the hearts of viewers across the globe, with their dramatic storylines, passionate romances, and larger-than-life characters. Originating in Latin America, telenovelas have become a popular genre of television programming, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch their favorite shows every day. Over the years, many telenovelas have gained a cult following and achieved massive success, becoming cultural phenomena in their own right. From Mexico's "Rebelde," to Colombia's "Betty la Fea," to Brazil's "Avenida Brasil," there are countless telenovelas that have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide. But which one is the most successful? Let's take a closer look at some of the most iconic telenovelas of all time and see which one comes out on top.
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