International Movie Database (IMDb) ranking of Eurovision shows - 2025

We've summed up IMDb users' take on Eurovision Song Contests, cataloguing their rankings to reveal their top 20 contests to date!

Every year, Eurovision explodes onto our screens with glitter, drama, and enough terrible dancing to power a small European nation. But not every contest is created equal. Some years fizzle, some years the humour from the hosts is just too cringe, while other years soar with the perfect mix of humour, pacing, and knock out tunes.

But how do you measure the true impact of each edition? We turned to IMDb (International Movie Database), where thousands of viewers have cast their votes on every contest since the ratings began.

What emerges is a fascinating, often surprising picture of Eurovision’s highest-rated shows. This isn’t just about who won or which country had the most expensive staging. These rankings reflect how audiences, casual fans and diehards alike, responded to the overall spectacle: the hosting, the pacing, the performances, and yes, even the interval acts.

We’ve trawled through the data and compiled the 20 most highly rated Eurovision Song Contests according to IMDb users. Some results will make perfect sense. Others might leave you scratching your head (yes, that year made the cut). But whether you’re here for the camp, the chaos, or the genuinely moving musical moments, this list offers a fresh perspective on Eurovision’s most beloved editions.

We set some ground rules for these rankings back in 2022, and we've used the same parameters with this deep dive into the IMDb ESC rankings this time around. To be eligible, the contest year must have had at least 100 reviews. Ties were determined by how many folk contributed a rank.

Here's the Contests ranked 20th to 11th:

20. Kyiv 2005 6.7 stars

19. Lisbon 2018 6.7 stars

18. Jerusalem 1999 6.8 stars

17. Riga 2003 6.8 stars

16. Belgrade 2008 6.8 stars

15. Turin 2022 6.8 stars

14. Copenhagen 2014 6.8 stars

13. Dusseldorf 2011 6.8 stars

12. Athens 2006 6.8 stars

11. Moscow 2009 7.1 stars

And IMDb users' Top 10:

10. Istanbul 2004 with 7.1 stars

The Eurovision Song Contest 2004, held in Istanbul, marked a major turning point in the competition’s history. It was the first year the semi-final format was introduced, opening the doors to more countries and reshaping the structure of the show. Turkey, fresh off its 2003 win, hosted with flair — blending modern staging with nods to its rich cultural backdrop.

Ukraine’s Ruslana stormed to victory with Wild Dances, a high-energy, tribal-pop anthem powered by leather and pure charisma. Ruslana quickly cemented herself as a Eurovision legend, with her performance still regularly cited as one of the contest’s fiercest and most unforgettable.

9. Malmo 2013 with 7.2 stars

The Eurovision Song Contest 2013 took place in Malmö, Sweden, following Loreen’s iconic win the year before. The show gave us the incomparable Petra Mede as host and was praised for its slick production, humour, and minimalist Scandinavian flair.

Denmark’s Emmelie de Forest won with Only Teardrops, a folk-pop anthem that blended flute melodies with barefoot charm. The contest was smooth and controversy-free, though some fans debated the fairness of voting patterns. Overall, 2013 is remembered as a polished, well-paced edition with broad appeal.

8. Tel Aviv 2019 with 7.2 stars

In 2019, Eurovision landed in Tel Aviv — a contest bursting with colour, energy, and a few headline-making moments. While the staging wowed and the hosts kept things moving, much of the chatter focused on the interval act: Madonna’s highly anticipated performance, which ended up being unforgettable for many reasons...

But the night ultimately belonged to Duncan Laurence of the Netherlands. His stripped-back ballad Arcade struck a powerful emotional chord, quietly rising above the spectacle. It didn’t just win, it endured. Years later, Arcade became a viral streaming hit, giving Duncan lasting Eurovision royalty status.

7. Vienna 2015 with 7.3 stars

Vienna 2015 marked the 60th anniversary of Eurovision, hosted with elegance and grandeur by Austria after Conchita Wurst’s groundbreaking win the year prior. The theme, Building Bridges, reflected a sense of unity, with Australia making its debut as a special guest entrant.

Guy Sebastian represented Australia with the upbeat soul-pop track Tonight Again, performing directly in the grand final without needing to qualify via the semi-finals — a rare privilege. He finished an impressive 5th, earning high praise and strong televote support, particularly from Northern and Western Europe.

Sweden’s Måns Zelmerlöw triumphed with Heroes, a slick, high-tech performance that blended animation and charisma with a textbook example of modern Eurovision staging. Måns' win catapulted him fan favourite status and became recurring figure in later contests.

6. Oslo 2010 with 7.3 stars

Hosted in Oslo after Alexander Rybak’s runaway win the year before, the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest delivered a sleek, well-produced show with Nordic flair and strong musical variety. Germany’s Lena claimed victory with Satellite, a quirky, infectious pop song performed with understated charm.

Her win was significant, marking Germany’s first triumph in nearly three decades. It also signalled a shift toward modern, radio-friendly Eurovision entries. Lena became a national star and remains a beloved figure among fans, though she’s not often placed in the top tier of Eurovision legends.

5. Kyiv 2017 with 7.4 stars

Eurovision 2017 took place in Kyiv, Ukraine, following Jamala’s emotional win in 2016. The contest faced some backstage turbulence. Most notably, Russia withdrew after its artist was banned from entering Ukraine due to political tensions. Onstage, the show featured bold performances and a diverse musical line-up.

Portugal’s Salvador Sobral won with Amar Pelos Dois, a gentle, jazz-influenced ballad sung entirely in Portuguese. His minimalist staging and heartfelt delivery stood out in a sea of spectacle. The victory was Portugal’s first ever, and Salvador quickly redefined what a winning Eurovision performance could look and sound like.

4. Liverpool 2023 with 7.4 stars

Eurovision 2023 took place in Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine, bringing a powerful message of unity amid war. The city’s hosting was more than just a show—it featured a sprawling EuroFestival, fan zones, and community outreach that welcomed hundreds of thousands. On stage, Sweden’s Loreen stole the spotlight with Tattoo, becoming the first woman — and second person ever — to win Eurovision twice.

It was a close contest, giving us Finland’s Käärijä who was and remains widely adored by the public. He took out second place, but is now a Eurovision fixture. With a record 162 million viewers, excellent hosts in Graham Norton and Hannah Waddingham, as well as Loreen’s hard-fought historic comeback, Liverpool 2023 will be remembered one of the brightest ESCs.

3. Baku 2012 with 7.5 stars

In 2012, Eurovision took over Baku, Azerbaijan. The brand new and gleaming Crystal Hall set the stage for one of the contest’s most memorable victories, but not without controversy. Human rights groups criticised the Azerbaijani government for displacing residents to make way for the venue, casting a shadow over the event’s polished exterior.

Musically, however, 2012 has gone down as delivering modern-Eurovision's most enduring and defining hits. Sweden’s Loreen dominated with Euphoria, a track that fused electronic beats with emotional power. Her performance changed the game. Today, Loreen’s 2012 win is considered one of Eurovision’s most iconic moments.

2. Stockholm 2016 with 7.7 stars

Stockholm 2016 delivered a sleek, high-tech Eurovision that blended humour, innovation, and musical diversity. Hosted by Måns Zelmerlöw and Petra Mede, the show was widely praised for its charisma and clever interval acts — especially the beloved “Love Love Peace Peace” parody. The contest also debuted a new voting system, separating jury and televotes for added suspense.

Ukraine’s Jamala emerged victorious with 1944, a haunting, politically charged ballad about Soviet-era deportations. The win sparked debate over political messaging in Eurovision but also struck a powerful emotional chord.

Jamala beat out Australia's own Dami Im, who came second that year with a huge 511 points. Her performance was widely praised for its vocal prowess and emotional depth, earning her a dedicated fanbase and solidifying her status as a standout artist in Eurovision history. The song also achieved commercial success, charting in multiple countries and receiving gold certifications in Sweden and Australia 

1. Rotterdam 2021 with 7.8 stars

Eurovision 2021 unfolded in Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena — a triumphant comeback after the 2020 cancellation due to COVID‑19, with strict precautions and limited audience seating. Italy’s rock group Måneskin broke through with Zitti e buoni, a gritty, electrifying performance that surged from third in jury votes to first overall, thanks to a public televote boost.

Måneskin's win marked Italy’s first victory in 31 years and signalled a bold shift in Eurovision’s soundscape. The band’s charisma and enormous crossover success have already elevated them to iconic status within the Eurovision community and beyond.

Check out the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel for all previous Grand Final performances.

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