Even with its ups and downs, Netflix is still a powerhouse in the streaming world, thanks in large part to its massive catalog of must-watch shows. Every time a favorite ends, another binge-worthy title takes its place, keeping us all glued to our screens.
From heavy hitters like "Stranger Things" and "Squid Game" to heartwarming hits like "Heartstopper" and period-drama perfection "Bridgerton," Netflix shows have become some of the most talked-about on the planet. There's a little something for everyone — even goth girl detectives with a penchant for music from The Cramps ... "Wednesday," anyone?
But that's exactly why it can be so hard to figure out what you should watch first. We've made it much easier for you. Below, you'll find our picks for the 50 best Netflix shows right now, packed with hidden gems and fan-favorite classics. All you need to do is dive in and binge. There's plenty to choose from.
Best Netflix shows: New picks
'Love on the Spectrum'
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"Love on the Spectrum" is a remake of the Australian reality series of the same name that follows adults on the autism spectrum as they search for their true loves. With different singles introduced each episode, it offers an intimate (but very respectful) look into what each person is interested in, who they're looking for, and all the challenges that they experience while on the hunt for their soulmate. It's full of big, memorable personalities and absolutely heartwarming, triumphant moments that'll have you reaching for the tissues more than once, but moreover, it'll have you ready to go out date if you're single, too.
Cast: Dani Bowman, Abbey Romeo, James Jones, Kaelynn Partlow, Tanner Smith
Seasons: 3
Year: 2025
Genre: Reality
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch now
'The Residence'
Need your politics with a side of detective work? This screwball whodunit set in the White House follows eccentric detective Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba) as she investigates the murder of chief usher A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito) during a state dinner. With 157 suspects spread across 132 rooms, Cupp, described as the world's best detective and an avid birder, partners with skeptical FBI Special Agent Edwin Park (Randall Park) to figure out what's really going on. But things can't be that easy, of course. There's all that political tension and boiling resentment among the White House staff and guests to tussle with, too. It's just the most famous mansion in the country. No pressure.
Cast: Uzo Aduba, Giancarlo Esposito, Susan Kelechi Watson, Jason Lee, Ken Marino, Randall Park
Seasons: 1
Year: 2025
Genre: Mystery drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%
Watch now
'Running Point'
Created by Mindy Kaling, "Running Point" follows Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson), a former party girl who finds herself president of her family's professional basketball team, the Los Angeles Waves. After years of being overlooked by her brothers, Isla has to prove she's capable of running the organization all the while figuring out the world of professional sports and getting along with her family,. That includes her annoyingly ambitious brothers and a half-sibling she knew nothing about. Basketball is actually very serious business.
Cast: Kate Hudson, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur, Brenda Song, Chet Hanks
Seasons: 1
Year: 2025
Genre: Sports comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 78%
Watch now
'Apple Cider Vinegar'
This chilling crime drama explores the rise and fall of wellness influencer Belle Gibson (Kaitlyn Dever), who built an empire on her false cancer diagnosis, all in a bid to promote her lifestyle content featuring "alternative medicine". Gibson gains a massive following by promoting natural remedies, only for her deception to unravel when skeptics start to dig into her past. When the truth comes out, she faces an insane amount of public backlash, legal trouble, and the collapse of everything she built. Deservedly so? Yeah, we'd like to think so.
Cast: Kaitlyn Dever, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Aisha Dee, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Mark Coles Smith
Seasons: 1
Year: 2025
Genre: Crime drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%
Watch now
'Adolescence'
This gripping drama, shot continuously in an impressive feat of one-shot filming, follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who's suddenly arrested on suspicion of murdering a classmate. As his devastated parents, Eddie (Stephen Graham) and Manda (Christine Tremarco), struggle to process what's going on, Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe (Ashley Walters) leads an investigation to uncover the truth. It's a short but severe thrill ride that'll have you marveling at what the creators were able to accomplish.
Cast: Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, Owen Cooper
Seasons: 1
Year: 2025
Genre: Crime drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch now
'Nobody Wants This'
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
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
'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
'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
'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
'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
'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
'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
'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
'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
'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
'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
'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
'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
Best Netflix shows: Romance
'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
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%
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'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%
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'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%
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'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%
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'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%
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Best Netflix shows: Reality and documentary
'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%
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'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
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'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%
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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.
