As a streaming writer, I’m no stranger to compiling Netflix top 10 best lists. But as much as I enjoy sharing my own rankings, I also get a real kick out of reading (and, to be honest, judging) other people's as well.
When I spotted a new Reddit thread this week on the popular “AskReddit” forum asking users to pick “the best Netflix series of all time,” I was seriously intrigued to see which shows would make the top 10. I’ll admit, I cynically assumed the most popular nominees would be the usual fare, the likes of “Wednesday,” “Squid Game” and “Bridgerton,” but when I opened the thread, I was pleasantly surprised to see there were (at least a few) unexpected choices among the more predictable selections.
Below are the best Netflix shows of all time according to Reddit, and because I can’t resist adding my own comment (well, I am a very opinionated critic after all), I’ve also given my take on whether each selection is worthy of inclusion on a top 10 best of all time list as well.
Reddit's top 10 best Netflix shows ever
10. ‘The Last Kingdom’
I’ll confess to having never seen “The Last Kingdom.” Historical fiction isn’t quite to my taste, but considering the show’s overall rating on Rotten Tomatoes stands at 91%, with its third season pulling a perfect 100% score, I feel pretty confident in saying this is far from an unworthy candidate. Based on the novel series by Stephen Butchard, “The Last Kingdom ran for five years, and started its life as a BBC show for two seasons, before being picked up by Netflix for a further three. So with five seasons and 46 total episodes to binge-watch, this Viking drama may have to go into my watchlist. Thanks for the recommendation, Reddit.
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9. ‘Bojack Horseman’
![BoJack Horseman | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/i1eJMig5Ik4/maxresdefault.jpg)
“Bojack Horseman” was a Reddit favorite for its entire six-season run, so I’m far from surprised to see it make the grade. In fact, the only shock here is that it didn’t rank a little higher. The darkly funny animated series follows the (mis)adventures of a fading TV actor who was big in the ‘90s, but struggling for relevance in the modern era. Oh, and also, he’s an anthropomorphic horse. For a show with a cast comprising several talking animals, it’s one of the most deeply human projects Netflix has ever commissioned, and while its darkest chapters can be extremely nihilistic, it’s a firm favorite of mine. Certainly worthy of a spot in any top 10 list.
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8. ‘House of Cards’
The first TV series produced directly for Netflix, “House of Cards,” doesn’t often get highlighted in lists such as this, largely because of allegations of sexual misconduct against its star, Kevin Spacey. The show did go on for an additional sixth season without Spacey, with the very capable Robin Wright stepping into the leading role, but it limped over the finish line with its legacy tarnished. Its reputation was sullied further by Spacey reprising his role as Frank Underwood in a series of bizarre YouTube videos. While its first couple of seasons made for unmissable TV at the time, it’s hard now to look past Spacey's prominent part in the show.
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7. ‘I Think You Should Leave’
![I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/vrZkGgoVSFk/maxresdefault.jpg)
“Friendship” is one of my favorite movies of 2025 (so far), and it served as my entry point to the brilliantly warped world of Tim Robinson. After catching his new movie in theatres, “I Think You Should Leave” went instantly into my Netflix watchlist, and while I’ve only so far streamed the first couple of episodes, I’m already loving this cringe-infused sketch show. Its particular style of humor, which can often have you digging your fingers into your face in sheer second-hand embarrassment, won’t be for everybody, but if you have a high tolerance for cringe, “I Think You Should Leave” is hilarious stuff.
Stream "I Think You Should Leave" on Netflix now
6. ‘Midnight Mass’
Mike Flanagan has become Netflix’s horror master, having helmed “The Haunting of Hill House” (and follow-up spin-off, “The Haunting of Bly Manor”), alongside “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “The Midnight Club.” However, in my, and clearly Reddit’s, opinion, his best work yet is the slow burn “Midnight Mass,” which is deeply unsettling from the very first scene, but also multi-layered with a lot to say about the concept of faith and grief. With spooky season on the horizon, now is a great chance to catch up on “Midnight Mass” if you skipped it back in 2021.
Stream "Midnight Mass" on Netflix now
5. ‘Black Mirror’
“Black Mirror” is another “Netflix Original” that started life on a different network (in this case, the U.K.’s Channel 4) before being brought into the Netflix stable from its third season onward. Now running seven seasons in total, this anthology series explores our dark relationship with technology and takes clear inspiration from legendary sci-fi titan “The Twilight Zone.” Perhaps the problem with “Black Mirror” is that since switching to Netflix, the average quality has dipped, with as many weak episodes as truly excellent ones. At its best, it’s certainly deserving of a top 10 spot, but unfortunately, its best days aren’t so common anymore.
Stream "Black Mirror" on Netflix now
4. “Narcos”
![Narcos | Official Trailer 2 [HD] | Netflix - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/RNWAKZzgbp4/maxresdefault.jpg)
“Narcos” was another of Netflix’s early hits, and drew plenty of flattering (but perhaps rather generous) comparisons with “Breaking Bad.” If you’re somehow unaware of this one, it chronicles the drug trade in Colombia, with a focus on infamous kingpin Pablo Escobar (played here by Wagner Moura). It ran for three seasons before the torch was passed over to its subsequent spin-off, “Narcos: Mexico,” in 2018. It’s a great pick if you’re looking for a Netflix show with a lot of seasons to keep you busy for several weeks, and it earns its spot. In a controversial take, one Reddit user notes they believe that the Mexico-set spin-off was “even better."
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3. ‘Stranger Things’
You knew it was coming. Any publicly-sourced Netflix top 10 list is always going to include “Stranger Things.” The beloved sci-fi adventure series is perhaps Netflix’s biggest breakout hit, and with the finale set to be released in three parts later this year, if you somehow missed the “Stranger Things” craze, now is the time to catch up before we wave a fond goodbye to the town of Hawkins. Curiously, the Reddit comment nominating this one actually notes that “Season 1” specifically is their pick, and while the show’s first season is probably the most renowned (and it’s most well-balanced chapter), the more recent seasons are also great.
Stream "Stranger Things" on Netflix now
2. ‘Dark’
![Dark | Teaser [HD] | Netflix - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ESEUoa-mz2c/maxresdefault.jpg)
“Dark” could probably make the cut if you were ranking overlooked Netflix shows, so I’m delighted to see it making the grade in Reddit’s best of all time list. While this sci-fi mystery original earned plenty of deserved praise over its three-season run, as a German-language show, there’s no doubt that some subscribers put off by the subtitles may have skipped it. Fortunately, in recent years, Netflix’s “Squid Game” has been leading the charge to convince people to look beyond content created in their native tongue. So, if you happened to skip “Dark” during its original run, do yourself a massive favor and circle back; it’s haunting, gripping and full of secrets.
Stream "Dark" on Netflix now
1. ‘Mindhunter’
Psychological crime thriller series “Mindhunter,” which delves into the minds of some of America’s most infamous serial killers, was criminally cut short, running for just two seasons. While it was never officially canceled, and instead put on indefinite hold, the odds of it returning appear remote, according to showrunner David Fincher. It’s become something of a social media darling, and there have been numerous requests (and even online petitions) for more episodes. Sadly, it doesn’t appear that more “Mindhunter” is on Netflix’s agenda, but still, the two seasons we did get are phenomenal, and this show is a worthy No. 1 pick.
Stream "Mindhunter" on Netflix now
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