Even with all of its issues, this ever-growing list of the best Netflix shows is a key reason why Netflix remains fairly high on our best streaming services list. Even when they lose something, a new title joins the ranks.
Netflix original shows are some of the most talked-about, buzziest titles in television — ranging from "Stranger Things" and "Wednesday" to "Bridgerton" and "Squid Game."
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Best Netflix shows: New picks
'Nobody Wants This'
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Joanne (Kristen Bell) is a a sex advice podcaster and Noah (Adam Brody) is a charismatic rabbi. When their worlds collide at a party, their chemistry leads them into a complex relationship often held back by their vastly different lifestyles and beliefs. While Joanne enjoys her life as an outspoken agnostic relationship expert, Noah has to balance his religious leadership role with his growing feelings for someone who isn't a part of his faith. Inspired by creator Erin Foster's real-life romance with her husband Simon Tikhman, this is a cultural clash filled with heart that'll keep you hitting that "play next episode" button.
Cast: Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, Justine Lupe, Timothy Simons
Seasons: 1
Year: 2024
Genre: Romance/comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Watch now
'The Perfect Couple'
Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson) is marrying into a rich family, with the groom's mother, novelist Greer Garrison Winbury (Nicole Kidman), sparing no expense for the wedding. It's a storybook affair until a dead body is found on the beach. That's when the celebration turns into a suspicion-filled investigation where just about everyone is a suspect. And to Sacks and Winbury's dismay, the once perfect couple must put their wedding on hold and figure out how to move forward with a murder in their midst. Plus, Greer's carefully crafted persona begins to unravel as we see behind the many layers she's put on to keep the world out and her secrets within.
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, Blly Howle
Seasons: 1
Year: 2024
Genre: Mystery drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 64%
Watch now
'The Accident'
This gripping emotional drama is an exploration of a freak accident, as the name implies, that takes place during a child's birthday celebration. After an unspeakable event takes place, an entire close-knit community is sent reeling as they work to come to terms with the tragedy that occurred in front of their very eyes. While the accident in question could have occurred to anyone, it's clear there are some in the series who seem more culpable than others, and it's devastating to watch entire families torn asunder by loss. It's best experienced without knowing the titular "accident" or its circumstances, as it packs even more of an emotional punch that way.
Cast: Alberto Guerra, Sebastian Martínez, Erik Hayser
Seasons: 1
Year: 2024
Genre: Drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 33%
Watch now
'Supacell'
This series follows five Black Londoners who suddenly find themselves with superpowers. Michael (Tosin Cole) discovers his ability to leap through time and space, burdened with the knowledge that he has only three months to save his fiancée's life. Alongside Michael, a diverse cast of characters grapples with their newfound powers in unique ways, all while one mystery unfolds at the heart of it all: why and how are only Black people gaining these extraordinary abilities? It's much more than your average superhero show, with storylines that'll have you on the edge of your seat and rooting for these individuals, whose lives were irrevocably changed the minute they realized they had powers.
Cast: Tosin Cole, Adelayo Adedayo, Josh Tedeku
Seasons: 1
Year: 2024
Genre: Drama/Sci-fi
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch now
Best Netflix shows: Dramas
'Baby Reindeer'
Inspired by comedian Richard Gadd's autobiographical one-man show, this chilling miniseries explores Gadd's real-life experience with a stalker and sexual assault, but through a frequently comedic lens. After Gadd's fictionalized version of himself, Donny Dunn, gives a strange woman named Martha Scott (Jessica Gunning) a free cup of tea in a pub, she becomes unnaturally, obsessively attached to him as he feeds off of her attention and energy. As Dunn navigates his fragile comedy career, he soon realizes there's nothing innocent about her crush on him – or the lengths she might go to make him "hers."
Cast: Richard Gadd, Jessica Gunning, Nava Mau
Seasons: 1
Year: 2024
Genre: Black comedy, drama-thriller
Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%
Watch now
'The Fall of the House of Usher'
Mike Flanagan has delivered another handful of spine-tingling tale, this one based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. The miniseries follows siblings Roderick and Madeline Usher in several timelines. As elders, they are the fictionalized version of the real-life Sacklers — ruthless owners of a pharmaceutical company that profited off an opioid that has caused many deaths. Pursued by investigators for decades, they’ve managed to evade prosecution. But when Roderick’s six children begin dying, the Ushers find control over their empire slipping.
Cast: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Mary McDonnell, Henry Thomas
Seasons: 1
Year: 2023
Genre: Horror drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Watch now
'Lupin'
Need a getaway and a thrill? Then it's time to tag along with Assane Diop, a thief inspired by the fictional 'gentleman thief' Arsène Lupin. Diop's whole life has been a series of moments where he saw his family being poorly treated by the rich. So he does what all daring menaces to high society do: set out for revenge. His target? The art, jewels and cash owned by the wealthy.
Cast: Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Clotilde Hesme
Seasons: 3
Year: 2021
Genre: Crime drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Watch now
'The Crown'
Claire Foy and Matt Smith ("Doctor Who") garnered praise from critics and audiences alike for their portrayals of Queen Elizabeth II and Philip the Duke of Edinburgh in the first two seasons of "The Crown" which made it a must for our list of best Netflix shows. Later seasons introduced Elizabeth Debicki and Dominic West as Diana and Charles, with the final chapter, "The Crown" season 6, introducing Ed McVey as Prince William, Meg Bellamy as Kate Middleton and Luther Ford as Prince Harry.
Cast: Olivia Colman, Claire Foy, Vanessa Kirby
Seasons: 6
Year: 2016–2023
Genre: Drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%
Watch now
'Better Call Saul'
This "Breaking Bad" prequel/spinoff one of Tom's Guide's favorite shows in recent memory.
It focuses on slick, shady lawyer Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), but it begins back when he's a small-time lawyer Jimmy McGill — who doesn't work with or for the drug cartels yet. While the series takes its moments showing moments "after" Breaking Bad, it's all about the moments that send McGill into the wrong side of the law.
While co-star Rhea Seehorn, who plays Jimmy's friend and colleague Kim Wexler, wasn't one of the original main cast members, her performance became central to the series.
Cast: Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Michael McKean, Jonathan Banks
Seasons: 6
Year: 2015–2022
Genre: Drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Watch now
'Maid'
If you haven't seen "Maid", but can enjoy TV when it's rivetingly tense, you need to open your eyes to one of the best shows on Netflix. Alex (Margaret Qualley, in the performance of a lifetime), is trying to escape an emotionally abusive relationship with her husband Sean (Nick Robinson), and take her young daughter (Rylea Neveah Whittet) with her.
And she does so in the middle of the night, in the first of many chaotic moments. Trying to make it on her own, Alex struggles to find work, and has to settle for being a maid. Her mother Paula (Andie MacDowell, Qualley's real-life mother) doesn't help at all, as she's the most unstable person in this story, and often takes Sean's side.
"Maid" swings back and forth between heartwarming energy and bleak moments that will make it difficult to binge. That said, I somehow actually watched it all in a weekend, and came out the other side amazed. I'm hoping we get more like this from Netflix some day. – Henry T. Casey
Cast: Margaret Qualley, Andie MacDowell, Nick Robinson, Raymond Ablack, Billy Burke, Rylea Neveah Whittet, Anika Noni Rose, BJ Harrison
Seasons: 1 (10 episodes)
Year: 2021
Genre: Drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Watch now
'You'
It's time to meet "You", your next guilty pleasure binge watch. A thrilling drama, You is the talk of social media these days thanks to how much the show plays with our own addictions to Instagram and other apps. It focuses on a bookstore manager named Joe, who falls in love with/stalks the heck out of Beck (Elizabeth Lail), a grad student. One of the best shows on Netflix, and one with a strong following, "You" will conclude with one final season in 2024.
Cast: Victoria Pedretti, Penn Badgley, Elizabeth Lail
Seasons: 4
Year: 2018–2023 (ongoing)
Genre: Drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Watch now
'Squid Game'
Korean thriller/drama Squid Game has captured Netflix in a nine-episode run that has everyone asking questions left and right. The series revolves around chauffeur Seong Gi-hun, who is broke and finds himself involved in a mysterious series of children's games run by masked guards, for a ₩45.6 billion prize. Squid Game is one of the best shows on Netflix not just for how well it's made, but for how its intriguing cast of characters will send you rooting for people you might not have before. Squid Game season 2 is confirmed, and we can't wait.
Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Jung Ho-yeon, O Yeong-su
Seasons: 1 season
Year: 2021 – ongoing
Genre: Thriller/drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Watch now
'Ginny and Georgia'
Young parents often lead to dramatic lives, and such is the case with Georgia Miller, who's ended her years of a nomadic lifestyle only to find more chaos. Her daughter, 15-year-old Ginny, can't escape her mother's past either. A second season of this popular series — often ranked in the top shows on Netflix — is inevitable, as it ended on a cliffhanger built for more stories. And Ginny and Georgia season 3 is on the way.
Cast: Brianne Howey, Antonia Gentry, Diesel La Torraca, Scott Porter, Sara Waisglass
Seasons: 2
Year: 2021 – Present
Genre: Drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%
Watch now
'From Scratch'
This cross-cultural love story is half cute, lighthearted romp and half serious, tear-jerking drama. Amy (Zoe Saldaña) is a college dropout pursuing her artistic dreams in Florence, Italy. There, she meets and falls in love with handsome Sicilian chef Lino (Eugenio Mastrandrea). After a whirlwind romance, Lino follows Amy to Los Angeles to turn their fling into a real relationship, with all the attendant complexities involving families and careers. Still, their passion for each other prevails — until a health crisis completely upends their lives.
Cast: Zoe Saldaña, Eugenio Mastrandrea, Danielle Deadwyler, Keith David, Lucia Sardo
Seasons: 1
Year: 2022
Genre: Romantic drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Watch now
'Cobra Kai'
Yes, almost unbelievably, Cobra Kai — the Karate Kid spin-off show that debuted on YouTube Premium and is now on Netflix — is great. The series stays rooted to the original concept and characters, beginning with Johnny Lawrence re-opening the Cobra Kai dojo as a way to try and right his erring ways. Meanwhile, Daniel LaRusso may be thriving professionally, but he's still dealing with the absence of Mr. Miyagi. It's been announced that Cobra Kai season 6 will be the final season of the series, but spinoffs are already rumored.
Cast: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Maridueña
Seasons: 5
Year: 2018 – 2022 (ongoing)
Genre: Comedy/drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
Watch now
'The Queen's Gambit'
Believe it or not, chess is en vogue once more. In The Queen's Gambit, Anya Taylor-Joy (Emma) stars as Beth Harmon, a prodigious master of the chessboard who wants to be the very best in the world. Not only does Taylor-Joy captivate on-screen, but this is a beautifully shot show that's already earned think-pieces about its gorgeously designed spaces.
Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Camp, Marielle Heller
Seasons: 1 (7 episodes)
Year: 2020
Genre: Drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch now
'Money Heist (La Casa de Papel)'
If you're looking for an intense and action-packed crime series, check out the greatest heists this side of Danny Ocean. The beautifully-shot series tracks the crews led by The Professor, who aims to take rob the Royal Mint of Spain and the Bank of Spain. This Spanish-language show zigs and zags all over the place, with flash-backs and time jumps to keep you on your toes. You even have to be concerned with the ol' "unreliable narrator" conceit, which adds even more intrigue. The series has ended, so you can binge it all now!
Cast: Úrsula Corberó, Álvaro Morte, Itziar Ituño, Pedro Alonso
Seasons: 2 seasons (in 5 parts)
Year: 2017 - 2021
Genre: Crime
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
Watch now
'Ozark'
For us, at first, Ozark suffered from what I like to call "Didn't we just watch this?" Syndrome. Jason Bateman and Laura Linney star as "Marty" and Wendy Byrde, who get into the dark, seedy underworld to make ends meet. While early reviews were mixed, season 3 gives a giant stage for Laura Linney to thrive on screen. One of the biggest shows ending in 2022, Ozark is without a doubt one of the best shows on Netflix.
Cast: Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Julia Garner
Seasons: 4
Year: 2017–2022
Genre: Crime drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%
Watch now
'Mindhunter'
Thought we had enough crime dramas? Think again. Mindhunter brought cinema-quality visuals and strong character development to the genre, and took us back in crime to the 1970s as police began to track serial killers. Excellent acting and moody writing help make it one of the best Netflix series. Frustratingly, Mindhunter has apparently been put on an indefinite hiatus, so we don't know if or when season 3 will happen.
Cast: Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv
Seasons: 2
Year: 2017–2019
Genre: Crime drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Watch now
'Peaky Blinders'
The first five seasons of "Peaky Blinders" has spanned a decade of crime drama in Birmingham, England. The series, driven by Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later) starring as the upwardly criminal Tommy Shelby, started off slow but currently moves at a breakneck pace. And Peaky Blinders the show is finally over, as season 6 just hit Netflix. A movie is to follow.
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Tom Harper, Iddo Goldberg
Seasons: 6
Year: 2013–2022
Genre: Crime drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Watch now
'Breaking Bad'
"Breaking Bad" is a story about disease, drugs, family, profit, power and much, much more. High school chemistry teacher Walter White needs money for his cancer treatment, and realizes he can profit from scientific know-how by cooking meth. Breaking Bad is not just one of the best Netflix shows, but one of the top series ever.
Cast: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, RJ Mitte
Seasons: 5
Year: 2008–2013
Genre: Drama/Crime
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Watch now
Best Netflix shows: Comedies
'Never Have I Ever'
This funny, sharp, heartwarming coming-of-age dramedy is what we need right now. Co-created by Mindy Kaling and inspired by her own upbringing, Never Have I Ever focuses on the very charming Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), an Indian-American high school sophomore who’s trying to have a normal American teen experience.
"Never Have I Ever" ended its run in excellent fashion, with a heartfelt finale. We rarely see shows depict the end of high school as well as NHIE just did.
Cast: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Ramona Young
Seasons: 4
Year: 2020 - 2023
Genre: Comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%
Watch now
'Insecure'
Yes, Netflix has an HBO show. It's a weird world right now, but audiences are winning here. Issa Rae's Insecure is both her and on Max, meaning more people that ever can meet long-time friends Issa (Issa Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji), and watch them struggle through their late 20's.
Partially based on Rae's previous web series "Awkward Black Girl", "Insecure" dives into the contemporary Black experience through its creator's sense of humor. The series begins with relationship issues, and expands out to cover a wider gamut of topics.
Cast: Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Lisa Joyce
Seasons: 5
Year: 2016–2021
Genre: Comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Watch now
'Beef'
Rage is best served in a binge-watch of Netflix's "Beef", a dark comedy about that space inside of helplessness where anger blossoms. This A24 series stars Steven Yeun as Danny, a contractor who just so happened to be on the wrong side of a moment of frustration with houseplant business owner Amy (Ali Wong). And while their anger is seemingly infinite, it's also somehow hilarious.
"Beef" takes on every single fad in sight, from crypto trading to the weird things rich people pay for. All while Amy's incredibly eager to sell her business and Danny's financials are in dire condition.
We love "Beef" not just for these outrageous performances, but for the bizarre moments that Lee Sung Jin finds as he explores mental health, class differences and the Asian American experience. And, somehow, "Beef" found a way to make guns funny.
Cast: Ali Wong, Steven Yeun, Joseph Lee, David Choe, Young Mazino, Ashley Park, David Choe, Patty Yasutake, Maria Bello
Seasons: 1 (10 episodes)
Year: 2023
Genre: Dark comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 99%
Watch now
'Russian Doll'
The first thing you should know is that "Russian Doll" is the funny and emotional the series that Natasha Lyonne (its star, co-creator, writer, and director) has long since deserved, as she's spent most of her career as a co-star and not a lead. Its twisting, tricky premise is so good that we won't say anything else. Russian Doll's originality makes it one of the best shows to watch on Netflix. And after a mind-bending second season, we're eagerly awaiting news about "Russian Doll" season 3.
Need more Natasha Lyonne? Check out Peacock's "Poker Face".
Cast: Natasha Lyonne, Greta Lee, Yul Vázquez
Seasons: 2
Year: 2019 – 2022 (ongoing)
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Watch now
'I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson'
Netflix's best comedy series just got better as "I Think You Should Leave" season 3 returned with another series of ultimately quotable sketches. That said, some of the funniest moments this season are all about co-creator Tim Robinson's physical performances. Simply failing to use VR properly in the second episode of the season led to some of the funniest expressions of the whole series (one of the best Netflix comedies).
And while each season isn't that long, it's ultimately rewatchable. I've often wondered if I should cancel Netflix for a specific month, but "I Think You Should Leave" is the first show that's made me realize I actually need Netflix. That's how often I rewatch it. – Henry T. Casey
Cast: Tim Robinson, Andy Samberg, Ashleigh Nicole Johnson
Seasons: 3
Year: 2019 - 2023 (ongoing)
Genre: Comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Watch now
'Key & Peele'
As much as we love "I Think You Should Leave", it's hard to argue with Key & Peele as the best sketch comedy series of the last decades. The series allowed modern horror auteur Jordan Peele and collaborator Keegan-Michael Key to break out as comedy geniuses. Not only do the two show the humor in the world through their bi-racial vantage points, but their takes on awkward masculinity are second to none.
Cast: Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key
Seasons: 3 (Netflix doesn't have seasons 4 and 5)
Year: 2012–2013
Genre: Sketch comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 98% (average for seasons 1-3)
Watch now
'Cunk on Earth'
"Cunk on Earth" is a send-up of every single pretentious anthropology documentary series that featured a host who took themselves far too seriously. It gains its title from host Philomena Cunk (played by Diane Morgan), a slightly dimwitted presenter who goes around interviewing experts and testing their levels of politeness who's a little dimwitted. Or maybe she really loves to make her interviewees confused.
The product of the minds of Morgan and writer Charlie Brooker (Black Mirror), Cunk On Earth is ripe for comparisons to the works of Sasha Baron Cohen. That said, we see the character of Ms. Cunk as a more lovable scamp. Because while Morgan also has excellent comedic timing, Cunk spares its audience from gross-out physical comedy.
Cast: Diane Morgan, Paul Bahn, Martin Kemp, Nigel Spivey, Shirley Thompson
Seasons: 1 (5 episodes)
Year: 2023
Genre: Mockumentary
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch now
'Dead to Me'
As bleak as the dark comedy "Dead to Me" — which is about women who become friends over one of their husband's death — gets, it's still one of the best shows on Netflix. Yes, Jen (Applegate) begins the series in mourning over her husband Ted's death. Fortunately, she soon meets Judy (Cardellini) at a support group. Unfortunately, their bond is rather complicated for reasons best kept secret until you watch.
Stars: Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, James Marsden, Max Jenkins, Sam McCarthy, Luke Roessler
Seasons: 3
Years: 2019-2023
Genre: Dark comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Watch now
'Derry Girls'
"Derry Girls" is yet another show that proves subtitles are worth the work. This comedy series focuses of a group of rebellious teenage girls in Derry (in Northern Ireland), and the background for the series is the tumultuous time in the early 1990's known called "The Troubles". These girls and their families may have thick accents, but you'll come to love them once you get to know them.
Stars: Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland, Ian McElhinney, Kathy Kiera Clarke, Nicola Coughlan
Seasons: 3
Years: 2018-2022
Genre: Comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Watch now
'Seinfeld'
What can you say about the show about nothing that hasn't already been said before? Well, now that it's on Netflix, you can yadda-yadda-yadda all you want while you re-discover one of the most loved television shows of all time. Sitting pretty in the Mt. Rushmore of sitcoms, these tales of four selfish New Yorkers are as influential as TV gets, with "sponge-worthy" coming back into conversations as we wonder if someone or an event is "rapid test-worthy."
Cast: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, Michael Richards
Seasons: 9
Year: 1989 – 1997
Genre: Sitcom
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Watch now
'The Baby-Sitters Club'
This long-awaited series adaptation of the much-loved YA book series is sweet, positive, and heartwarming — without being cloying or mushy. It takes the familiar story of a group of young teens who start a babysitting service and adds modern elements like social media and smartphones. But the essential themes remain the same: friendship, compassion, loyalty, forgiveness and understanding. Sadly, Netflix canceled "The Baby-Sitters Club", so we won't get season 3.
Cast: Sophie Grace, Malia Baker, Momona Tamada, Shay Rudolph
Seasons: 2
Year: 2020 - 2021
Genre: Comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Watch now
'Dear White People'
If you've wondered where the hilarious satire has gone, you may have let "Dear White People" fly under your radar. The series focuses on race relations in America, providing view points from a college campus that has a terrible history and is still not where it should be yet — much like this country itself.
Cast: Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson, Dennis Haysbert
Seasons: 4
Year: 2017–2021 (ongoing)
Genre: Comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
Watch now
'Sex Education'
Yes, somehow we're still getting great shows about pubescent life. Gillian Anderson and a cast of excellent young actors shake up the format, with the former Scully co-starring as the Dr. Jean F. Milburn, a sex therapist and mother of Otis, who's only surviving a sexually-charged high school with the help of his friends. The series came to an end with "Sex Education" season 4, and it remains one of the best Netflix comedies.
Cast: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa
Seasons: 4
Year: 2019–2023
Genre: Comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Watch now
'Grace and Frankie'
An excellent odd-couple comedy, "Grace and Frankie" gives Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin starring roles with a lot of great one-liners. The series begins with a life-shattering moment as Frankie and Grace (Tomlin and Fonda) discover that their husbands are leaving them. Soon, the natural enemies slowly become friends. The series concluded after a long-awaited final set of season 7 episodes.
Cast: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen
Seasons: 7
Year: 2015–2022
Genre: Comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Watch now
'Glow'
Women's wrestling — heck, all pro wrestling — has historically been laughed at, and called a side-show. Netflix original "Glow" looks to flip the script on how this predetermined spectacle is viewed, by showing how a group of misfit actors and wanna-be celebrities went from nobodies to superstardom. Sadly, "Glow" was canceled, due to complications with the COVID-19 pandemic, and its fourth season shall not come to life.
Cast: Alison Brie, Marc Maron, Betty Gilpin
Seasons: 3
Years: 2017–2019
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
Watch now
'The Good Place'
What if you woke up in heaven, but knew you didn't deserve to be there, and had to hide your imperfections? That case of impostor syndrome is at the root of the critically-praised "The Good Place", which has crackling chemistry, sharp and clever jokes, and an existential education that make it one of the best Netflix shows.
Cast: Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper
Seasons: 4
Year: 2016–2020
Genre: Comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Watch now
'Master of None'
While Aziz Ansari got famous for being a tone-deaf wanna-be lothario on "Parks & Rec", his Netflix original series takes a much more grounded approach at the insanity that is dating in the era of apps. The series has brought Dev and his friend Arnold (Eric Wareheim) from New York to Italy, to repeated success. A third season of five episodes arrived in May 2021 — taking the focus off Dev.
Cast: Aziz Ansari, H. Jon Benjamin, Eric Wareheim
Seasons: 3
Year: 2015–2021
Genre: Comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch now
'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend'
Musical comedy "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" stars Rachel Bloom as Rebecca Nora Bunch: a NY lawyer who moves to California, only to find her first love living nearby. The songs aren't just hilarious, they have real emotional depth, turning what seems like a silly rom-com much more and making this one of the best Netflix shows.
Cast: Rachel Bloom, Santino Fontana, Michael McDonald
Seasons: 4
Year: 2015–2019
Genre: Musical comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%
Watch now
'Arrested Development'
We all love to see rich people fall, and "Arrested Development" scratched this itch well, while showing us how dumb the 1% can be. Of course, you might find a way to sympathize with Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) and his son George Michael Bluth (Michael Cera), who are trying their best to fix the business. "Arrested Development" is inarguably one of the best shows to watch on Netflix... provided you stop after season 3.
Editor's Note: Yes, Arrested Development didn't leave Netflix as was reported.
Cast: Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Jessica Walter, Jeffrey Tambor
Seasons: 5
Year: 2003–2006; 2013–2019
Genre: Comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%
Watch now
'Orange Is the New Black'
Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling) realizes she can't escape the mistakes of her past when she winds up in a minimum-security women's prison on a drug smuggling charge. Granted, it's not all bad, as she befriends the quirky inmates and reflects on the bizarre backstory that brought her there.
Cast: Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon, Kate Mulgrew
Seasons: 7
Year: 2013–2019
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Watch now
Best Netflix shows: Sci-fi
'Bodies'
The premise of this thriller is pretty wild: Four detectives in four different time periods find the same dead body in a London alleyway. In 2023, DS Shahara Hasan (Amaka Okafor) stumbles upon it during a foot chase; in 1941, Whiteman (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) gets a mysterious call to go to Longharvest Lane; in 1890, it’s Hillinghead (Kyle Soller) who’s called to the scene; and in the future, 2053, an electric car problem leads Maplewood (Shira Haas) to find the body. Despite being separated by decades, their investigations are connected.
Cast: Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Shira Haas, Amaka Okafo,r Kyle Soller, Stephen Graham
Seasons: 1
Year: 2023
Genre: Sci-fi crime drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 82%
Watch now
'Black Mirror'
"Black Mirror" plays with all of our worst fears about technology and privacy. While its first episode, the sexually explicit "The National Anthem" pushed at social networks, later episodes — such as "Fifty Million Merits" and "White Christmas" — rip apart future advances in in-app purchases, reality TV and privacy filters. Its movie "Bandersnatch" is one of the best Netflix movies, but Black Mirror season 6 was decidedly uneven, as the move away from techy twists didn't lead to much returns.
Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Alice Eve, Michael Kelly
Seasons: 6
Year: 2011–2023 (ongoing)
Genre: Drama/Sci-Fi
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
Watch now
'Dark'
At its end, Netflix's "Dark" — a puzzling drama that rewards close watching — is a highly recommendable series to watch. It focuses on a story of two children who go missing in a small German town known as Winden. "Dark" is commended for how it built up momentum -- instead of watching it dissolve like some show that started off hot but ended poorly (Hi, "Lost").
Cast: Louis Hofmann, Maja Schöne, Oliver Masucci
Seasons: 3
Year: 2017–2020
Genre: Sci-fi drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Watch now
Best Netflix shows: Supernatural/fantasy
'One Piece'
Set off to sail the high seas with the ambitious Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy). Dreaming of assembling his own pirate crew and uncovering the fabled treasure, One Piece, Luffy's journey is anything but ordinary. His life takes a fantastical turn after consuming a mysterious devil fruit, giving him the ability to stretch his body like rubber. This newfound power propels him through a series of zany adventures as he recruits members of his "Straw Hats" crew. Luffy, the spunky Nami (Emily Rudd), and deadly Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu) are going to find the treasure at the infamous Grand Line if it's the last thing they do. The first season was a big hit, and the show will be back for more.
Cast: Iñaki Godoy, Emily Rudd, Mackenyu
Seasons: 1
Year: 2023
Genre: Fantasy adventure
Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%
Watch now
'Stranger Things'
One of the biggest and best Netflix shows takes audiences to Hawkins, Indiana for the retro adventures of Dustin, Mike, Lucas, Will, Max and Eleven, who keep finding themselves in the center of supernatural predicaments. Laugh at the dry wit of police chief Jim Hopper, find the joy in Winona Ryder's over-the-top performance. One of the best shows to watch on Netflix ever, "Stranger Things" returned with a super-sized fourth season that hopped from Hawkins to Russia to Utah and — of course — to the Upside Down. Stranger Things season 5 will be the end of the ride.
Cast: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown
Seasons: 4
Year: 2016 – ongoing
Genre: Drama/Fantasy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
Watch now
'The Witcher'
Henry Cavill stars as Geralt of Rivia: a roving monster hunter in a dark fantasy world. While Geralt wants nothing more than to ply his trade, he runs afoul of prejudiced townsfolk, ambitious wizards and even foreign royalty. And while "The Witcher" season 2 arguably suffered from a slightly padded middle section of episodes (aka "The Netflix Problem"), we loved it anyways. Our The Witcher season 3 part 2 review hits on what works (the core four) and what doesn't (most of everything else). Going forward, Cavill will be replaced by Liam Hemsworth., who will see the show through to its conclusion in season 5.
Cast: Henry Cavill, Joey Batey, Freya Allan, Anya Chalotra
Seasons: 3 (season 4 is confirmed)
Year: 2019 - 2023 (ongoing)
Genre: Action, drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
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'Wednesday'
Yes, you may get extreme "The CW" vibes from this Addams Family show from Tim Burton, and that may not be what you want if the original Addams Family movies are parts of your childhood you wanted to go unsullied. That said? Jenna Ortega puts in a fantastic performance as high school-era Wednesday Addams who's been kicked out of the Nancy Reagan High School for protecting her brother by way of sending flesh-eating fish at his bullies. Now at Nevermore Academy, she's among other students who aren't "normies" — while she deals with her nascent abilities. Oh, and you've got Luis Guzmán as Gomez, in and admittedly minor role. And, now, "Wednesday" season 2, is official. We didn't have any doubts, though.
Stars: Jenna Ortega, Gwendoline Christie, Riki Lindhome, Jamie McShane, Hunter Doorhan
Seasons: 1
Years: 2022 (Ongoing)
Genres: Young adult mystery, supernatural
Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%
Watch now
'The Umbrella Academy'
A massive success for Netflix, "The Umbrella Academy" became riveting TV by adapting the comic books of the same name, where the seven adopted Hargreeves siblings are trying to survive their own catastrophic powers. Season 2 sent the kids back to the 1960's to prevent further calamity, and the third brought a fresh twist on the apocalypse, and the fourth season will wrap things up later in 2024.
Cast: Aidan Gallagher, Elliot Page, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Justin H. Min
Seasons: 3
Year: 2019-present (ongoing)
Genre: Science fiction/drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
Watch now
'The Sandman'
After the "Cowboy Bebop" adaptation, some may have wondered if Netflix still "had it." Fortunately, all of the right notes have been hit with this adaptation of Neil Gaiman's classic DC comic book series. Tom Sturridge is a pitch-perfect Dream (aka Morpheus), and while the series may be a slow starter (matching the source material), critics agree it ramps up fantastically in the back half. Dream will be back for more in "The Sandman" season 2, too.
Cast: Tom Sturridge, David Thewlis, Gwendoline Christie, Kirby Howell-Baptiste
Seasons: 1 (10 episodes)
Year: 2022
Genre: Fantasy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Watch now
'Lucifer'
Sometimes the devil becomes his own advocate. Or at least he just needs a break from hell, as is the case here where Tom Ellis' smoldering on-screen presence as Lucifer Morningstar, the literal devil, who is taking time off in Los Angeles. Not only does he open a nightclub in the city, but he also starts doing consultant work for the LAPD, where he hits it off with detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German).
Cast: Tom Ellis, Lauren German, Kevin Alejandro, D. B. Woodside
Seasons: 6
Year: 2016 – 2021
Genre: Police drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%
Watch now
'Hellbound'
Set in South Korea between 2022 and 2027, "Hellbound" finds the world shaken by prophetic decrees from a mysterious angel. After appearing, it damns certain souls to death by spectral, monstrous guardians. As the condemned face their fiery fate via chilling public spectacles, two powerful groups, the New Truth Society and the Arrowhead group, rise to power capitalizing on the widespread fear. This drama initially trails a detective, a religious leader, and a righteous attorney, but shifts its lens five years later to a TV producer and his wife, grappling with the heart-wrenching discovery that their infant is destined for Hell.
Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Kim Sung-cheol, Kim Hyun-joo, Park Jeong-min, Won Jin-ah, Yang Ik-june
Seasons: 1
Year: 2021
Genre: Dark fantasy/Thriller
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Watch now
‘Dead Boy Detectives’
Based on characters created by Neil Gaiman and Matt Wagner for DC Comics, this detective series follows two boarding school students cut down in their prime named Edwin Paine (George Rexstrew) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri), who decide that going on to the afterlife when they pass isn't for them. Instead, they opt to remain on Earth to solve supernatural mysteries as they become best friends (and potentially even more) who explore the afterlife while invisible to the living. Together with their ghostly skills and problem-solving prowess, they'll put serious mysteries to rest, but not themselves.
Cast: George Rexstrew, Jayden Revri, Kassius Nelson
Seasons: 1
Year: 2024
Genre: Supernatural horror, detective, comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Watch now
Best Netflix shows: Romance
'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story'
While fans love Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte in the original" Bridgerton", India Amarteifio owns the younger version of her royal highness in this prequel series. In our "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" review, we applauded the series for giving Amarteifio a fantastic cast of co-stars to work with and excellent production design and costumes. It's got all the romance, gossip, steaminess and politicking you expect from a "Bridgerton" spinoff.
Cast: Golda Rosheuvel, Corey Mylchreest, Arsema Thomas, Hugh Sachs
Seasons: 1
Year: 2023
Genre: Romantic drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Watch now
'Heartstopper'
"Heartstopper" characters Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) are students at the fictional Truham Grammer High School in England, and the series uses them and their peers to look at real-world issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community. But, don't expect tragedy, which often makes every queer series feel like a depressing series of gut punches; "Heartstopper" is heart-warming.
Connor earns a ton of praise for his portrayal of popular rugby player Nick, who struggles with his emerging bisexuality. The always delightful Olivia Colman co-stars as his mother.
Cast: Kit Connor, Joe Locke, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Olivia Colman
Seasons: 2 (a third is coming)
Year: 2022-2024 (ongoing)
Genre: YA romantic drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch now
'Bridgerton'
Even a casual soapy drama can be decadent if prepared properly. As is the case with "Bridgerton", the first fruit of the deal that Netflix signed with show-runner Shonda Rhimes ("Grey's Anatomy"). The cleverly written and beautifully produced series tracks Daphne, a young socialite debuting in the London scene. Each episode has an ending that will leave you clicking "Play" again, so beware as the seasons aren't that long!
Cast: Phoebe Dynevor, Regé-Jean Page, Jonathan Bailey
Seasons: 3 (season 4 is confirmed)
Year: 2020 - 2024 (ongoing)
Genre: Period drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Watch now
'Emily in Paris'
If the eponymous heroine of "Emily in Paris" seems to talk, act and dress like a millennial Carrie Bradshaw, there’s a reason for that — series creator Darren Star also masterminded "Sex and the City". Emily is a Chicago marketing manager who scores a sweet gig in her dream city. Unfortunately, her new boss, Sylvie, and co-workers are a nightmare. While Paris fashionistas are sneering at the rom-com’s take on Paris and fashion, both Emily and the show are irresistibly charming and fun. And we say “oui, oui” to the handsome eye candy who proves Paris really is the city of lust, er, love.
Cast: Lily Collins, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park, Lucas Bravo
Seasons: 4
Year: 2020 - 2024
Genre: Romantic comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 60%
Watch now
Best Netflix shows: Horror
'Evil'
"Evil" follows a trio of investigators who probe some inexplicable phenomena on behalf of the Catholic Church. The team consists of skeptic psychologist Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers), Catholic seminary student David Acosta (Mike Colter), and Ben Shakir (Aasif Mandvi), a contractor. Together, they delve into bizarre and perplexing cases as they work to determine whether the events are rooted in supernatural or earthly origins.
Cast: Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi
Seasons: 2
Year: 2019-2020
Genre: Supernatural drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Watch now
'Archive 81'
We've previously lauded "Archive 81" as the one new show you had to watch on Netflix. And so it's no surprise that it landed a slot on our list of the best shows on Netflix.
"Archive 81" provides a fresh mix of character-driven drama and jump-scare horror — two things that shouldn't go together at all. It even manages to make a use of found-footage work, even though that should be played out by now. Unfortunately, it joined the ranks of Netflix's canceled shows, as it was killed it off before we could get a second season. If you're upset about "Archive 81" cancelation, maybe give Netflix a piece of your mind and call Netflix customer service.
Stars: Mamoudou Athie, Dina Shihabi, Evan Jonigkeit, Matt McGorry, Martin Donovan
Seasons: 1 season
Year: 2021
Genre: Drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%
Watch now
Best Netflix shows: Animated
'Scavengers Reign'
After being canceled after just one season at Max, this beautifully realized, bizarre sci-fi series has crash-landed on Netflix. "Scavengers Reign" follows a series of survivors from a damaged interstellar spaceship who find themselves stranded on a hostile, alien planet. Split across the planet's surface, our crewmates face all manner of strange sights and threats as they wait for rescue. It's an emotional, visual treat, and Netflix are rumored to be interested in continuing the story (though no decision's been made yet).
Cast: Wunmi Mosaku, Bob Stephenson, Sunita Man
Seasons: 1
Year: 2023
Genre: Sci-fi/Animation
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch now
'Scott Pilgrim Takes Off'
“Scott Pilgrim” fans were delighted to finally see a proper anime adaptation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's massively popular graphic novel series with the same actors from the live-action adaptation.
It starts off much like the original story, introducing slacker Scott (Michael Cera), who's dating high schooler Knives Chau (Ellen Wong) until he meets the girl of his dreams: Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Things are moving fast with Flowers until Pilgrim is met with the shocking realization that he'll have to defeat his new girlfriend's seven evil exes, led by Gideon Graves (Jason Schwartzman) if they're going to continue dating.
And that would normally be where the story ends – except this version adds another Ramona-focused layer to the story that fans will be shocked and delighted to explore. No spoilers here, but this is "Scott Pilgrim" like you've never seen it before.
Stars: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ellen Wong, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Jason Schwartzman
Seasons: 1 season
Year: 2023
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%
Watch now
'Blue Eye Samurai'
Swordmaster Miku finds herself rejected and ostracized from Japanese society because of her appearance. Bullied and derided, nearly murdered, and othered by the xenophobic Japanese villagers around her, Miku found a way forward after being taken in and trained in the ways of the sword by the Swordfather (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa).
Miku blames her hardship on one white smuggler from years ago that she believes could have been her father. Despite being a talented samurai in her own right, Miku cannot rest until the revenge she seeks is complete.
Cast: Maya Erskine, George Takei, Masi Oka
Seasons: 1
Year: 2023
Genre: Animated adventure
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch now
'Big Mouth'
Don't sleep on "Big Mouth". Born from the mind of comedian Nick Kroll (The League) and his cohorts, this raunchy animated series stands out by actually creating fuller, more fleshed-out characters than South Park ever did. Oh, and it even takes time to educate audiences on depression and other major issues.
Cast: Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Gina Rodriguez
Seasons: 7
Year: 2017–2024 (ongoing)
Genre: Raunchy comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch now
'BoJack Horseman'
"BoJack Horseman" is a hilarious and profound meditation on the nature of depression that just happens to be about an anthropomorphic horse. BoJack (Will Arnett) is a washed-up Hollywood TV star with plenty of money but no real goals or joy left in his life.
Cast: Will Arnett, Aaron Paul, Amy Sedaris
Seasons: 6 (plus a Christmas special)
Year: 2014–2020
Genre: Animated comedy/drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
Watch now
'Arcane'
In the utopian city of Piltover and the slums of Zaun, two opposing sides clash over the titular "arcane" technology in the world. Sisters Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (Ella Purnell), Caitlyn (Katie Leung) find themselves forced to go their separate ways after they align themselve with differing ideologies. But they soon learn that blood, like sisterhood, is forever. This series, which adapts parts of Riot Games' League of Legends narrative, is an excellent interpolation of the popular title and gives fan-favorite "chaotic" character Jinx and how she came to be who she is today.
Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, Kevin Alejandro, Jason Spisak
Seasons: 1
Year: 2021
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch on Netflix
'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners'
Forget what you know about Cyberpunk 2077, the game that crashed out of the gates (but has since reclaimed its reputation) Netflix's "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners" may sit in the same world as that game, but it's a much bigger success. It focuses on street kid David (Zach Aguilar), who seeks survival by way of being a mercenary known as an Edgerunner. This gorgeous series, which moves at a frenetic pace, will have you hanging on every moment waiting to see how David survives.
Cast: Zach Aguilar, Kenichiro Ohashi, Emi Lo, Aoi Yûki, Stephie Wong, Takako Honda
Seasons: 1
Year: 2022
Genre: Animation/action
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch now
'Avatar the Last Airbender'
"Avatar the Last Airbender" arrived on Netflix with a ton of hype, instantly cementing itself as one of the best Netflix series. It follows the adventures of Aang, a tween destined to become the “Avatar” — a magical martial artist who can manipulate all four classical elements. Netflix has since produced its own live-action "Avatar" adaptation, which is also getting the three-season treatment.
Cast: Zach Tyler, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena
Seasons: 3
Year: 2005–2008
Genre: Animated action/adventure
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch now
'The Legend of Korra'
Yes, now that you've finished "Avatar: The Last Airbender", you can finally catch its follow-up series, "The Legend of Korra" on Netflix. Ambitious, and at times divisive, Korra deals with complex themes of identity and politics that you might not expect from an animated series.
Cast: Janet Varney, David Faustino, P.J. Bryne
Seasons: 4
Year: 2012–2014
Genre: Animated action adventure
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
Watch now
'Love, Death & Robots'
What if you took the dystopic futurism of "Black Mirror", but made it slightly less depressing and animated it? You'd get David Fincher's "Love, Death & Robots", a hidden gem of a Netflix original anthology series that's comprised of bite-sized episodes that run about 15 minutes apiece. For more oddball picks, check out the best Netflix alternatives.
Cast: Topher Grace, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Gary Cole
Seasons: 3
Year: 2019 - 2022
Genre: Sci-fi
Rotten Tomatoes score: 79%
Watch now
'Tuca & Bertie'
"Tuca & Bertie" provided an animated take on the complications of adult friendships. A proper successor to Broad City, the show centers around a brash toucan named Tuca (voiced by Tiffany Haddish) and the anxiety-riddled songbird named Bertie (Ali Wong), who meet through living in the same apartment building. "Tuca & Bertie" is one of the best shows on Netflix right now; if you like it, seasons 2 & 3 are on Adult Swim.
Cast: Tiffany Haddish, Ali Wong, Steven Yeun
Seasons: 1
Year: 2019-2022
Genre: Animated comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%
Watch now
'Aggretsuko'
Retsuko (Erica Mendez) is a 25-year-old red panda who's also a salary worker. She deals with the daily pressures of working in an accounting department, all while wanting more from life. Plagued by relentless demands from her job and her friends, she's got tons of pent-up stress. How does she deal with all her frustration? She heads out to a karaoke bar every night and belts out some death metal. Then everything feels okay again. This comedy follows Retsuko's journey to finding love, happiness, a great job, and maybe even herself in the process.
Cast: Erica Mendez, Josh Petersdorf, Katelyn Gault, Ben Diskin
Seasons: 5
Year: 2018-2023
Genre: Comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Watch now
Best Netflix shows: Reality and documentary
'Beckham'
One of the most famous athletes of all time isn’t quite put under the spotlight in this four-part docuseries — but only because David Beckham has always been there. The football/soccer star is one of the most recognizable people on the planet, not just for his playing but for his good looks. When he wasn’t on screen bending in goals, he was gracing the covers of magazines. Still, some parts of his story may surprise you. Beckham himself, as well as wife Victoria, his family, friends and teammates, appear on camera to talk about his life and legacy.
Cast: David Beckham, Victoria Beckham
Seasons: 1
Year: 2023
Genre: Sports documentary
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Watch now
'Wrestlers'
Ohio Valley Wrestling of Louisville, Kentucky once polished the rough edges off stars like John Cena, Dave Bautista, Randy Orton and The Miz. But in recent years, the gym has hit hard times. Manager Al Snow is fiercely committed to wrestling’s ability to tell stories, and a few diehard fans continue to show up, but the gym is struggling to keep the doors open. Al has to sell a majority stake to a group of local businessmen, including the popular radio personality Matt Jones. They bring an infusion of much-needed cash but demand results — Al has the summer to turn things around.
Cast: Al Snow, Matt Jones
Seasons: 1
Year: 2023
Genre: Sports documentary
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch now
'Formula 1: Drive to Survive'
The wild world of Formula 1 racing may often take place at hours that makes it inaccessible to those in America, and that's where the "Drive to Survive" show comes in. One of the best Netflix shows out there, this gripping documentary series brings you up close and personal with the best drivers in the world, including its biggest stars like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
Cast: Fernando Alonso, Valtteri Bottas, Marcus Ericsson, Lewis Hamilton
Seasons: 6
Year: 2019 - 2024 (ongoing)
Genre: Sports documentary
Rotten Tomatoes score: N/A
Watch now
'Old Enough!'
"Old Enough!" is a show that shouldn't work, but is a triumph of low-stakes reality TV. In it, 2 to 4-year-old children are given errands and accomplishable missions by their parents, while narrators provide play-by-play commentary. The kids range from easily distracted types or mischievous ones who don't really care about their goals. A big hit in Japanese TV from the last decades, Old Enough! is one of the best shows on Netflix because it's a true gem for unwinding. It's unique shows like "Old Enough!" that make Netflix one of the best streaming services, even while HBO Max has the top spot.
Seasons: 2
Years: 2022 - 2023 (ongoing)
Genre: Reality TV
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch now
'The Last Dance'
ESPN's Michael Jordan docuseries "The Last Dance" appeals to fans and non-fans alike thanks to personalities that jumped off the screen. The focus may primarily be on the battle of Jordan and Phil Jackson against the front office, but Dennis Rodman's shocking personality (for that era) and disinterest in practice, and Scottie Pippen's work in MJ's shadow are both entertaining aspects of the series.
Cast: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman
Seasons: 1
Year: 2020
Genre: Sports docuseries
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Watch now
'Unsolved Mysteries'
Netflix’s reboot of the classic true crime docuseries puts a slick spin on the original. The narration may be gone, but the new episodes still tell fascinating, spine-tingling tales of missing persons, murder and even UFO sightings. In the new Unsolved Mysteries, each episode focuses on one case, which makes the narrative more compelling and the characters more fleshed-out. But warning: You may have trouble sleeping — either because you’re so creeped out or you fall down a Reddit theory hole. If that's too creepy for your kids, check out our guide for how to set up Netflix parental controls.
Cast: N/A
Seasons: 3
Year: 2020-2022
Genre: True crime documentary
Rotten Tomatoes score: 74%
Watch now
'Dating Around'
The dating show genre has gotten kind of stale and predictable. "Dating Around" puts a refreshing twist on the formula: each episode centers on one singleton who goes on five blind dates, edited to look as if they're happening concurrently, so you watch all of them go through the various stages
Cast: Justin Bigting, Ben Samuel, Deva Mahal
Seasons: 2
Year: 2019–2020
Genre: Reality TV
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Watch now
'Love Is Blind'
Not all of the best Netflix series are high-brow, award-winning fare. This buzzy dating reality show is the love child of "The Bachelor" and "Married at First Sight". Fifteen men and 15 women go on dates with each other to find their match -- sight unseen. You'll find yourself addicted to following the engaged couples up to their tense weddings.
Cast: Nick Lachey and Vanessa Lachey (hosts)
Seasons: 6
Year: 2020-2023
Genre: Reality TV
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
Watch now
'Queer Eye'
It's practically too perfect that a makeover show got a makeover, and became one of the best reality programs on TV, but that's where we stand with "Queer Eye". And while Bobby, Jonathan and Tan all get a lot of credit, there are entertaining moments from Antoni and Karamo, whose contributions are often debatable.
Cast: Antoni Porowski, Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Jonathan Van Ness and Tan France
Seasons: 8
Year: 2018–2023 (ongoing)
Genre: Reality TV
Rotten Tomatoes score: n/a
Watch now
'The Great British Baking Show'
Competitive reality TV doesn't have to be a backstabbing mess. "The Great British Baking Show" (which is called "The Great British Bake Off" when it originally airs in the U.K.) subverts that trend with contestants who have a surprising amount of camaraderie as they produce plentiful amounts of pastries and cakes.
"Baking Show" fans should check out how Roku's got a ton of free "Baking Show" Universe content.
Cast: Anna Beattie, Richard McKerrow, Letty Kavanagh
Seasons: 14 (Netflix has 7 of those seasons)
Year: 2010–2023 (ongoing)
Genre: Cooking reality TV
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Watch now
How to access blocked shows on Netflix
Wherever you are in the world, Netflix offers a huge range of top-quality shows like the ones we’ve listed above. However, due to something called geo-blocking, you may find that your favorite binge-watch isn’t available. This is especially noticeable if you’ve traveled abroad – a series you had your eye on back at home may well now not be available.
The easiest way around this is to use a Netflix VPN. By using a VPN to change your virtual location, you can trick Netflix into showing you that country’s catalog of shows. Perfect if you’re in need of a quick fix to fill your vacation downtime, or even if you fancy globetrotting from the comfort of your sofa.
