Netflix releases a lot of TV shows every year, and so far in 2025, there have been nearly 80 original series for subscribers to binge. These originals cover pretty much every genre you can think of, from feel-good comedies, intense dramas, and colorful animated efforts, to loads of gripping thrillers (Netflix drops so many thrillers). Whatever your tastes, there’s a Netflix show for it.
At this point in 2025, there have been 79 new Netflix shows, and I'm just talking English-language originals here as well. Throw in international productions, and returning series like “Stranger Things,” “Nobody Wants This” and “Wednesday,” and the sheer quantity of Netflix shows to choose from becomes pretty darn overwhelming. It’s almost too much content.
That’s why I’ve combed through the list of brand-new Netflix shows that debuted in 2025, and picked out the seven that I consider worthy of any subscriber's watchlist. Presented unranked and in alphabetical order, these are the seven new Netflix shows you need to watch as soon as possible.
Best Netflix shows of 2025 (so far)
‘Adolescence’
Forget being merely the best Netflix show of 2025, “Adolescence” might be the single best new series of the year. And I’m saying that as an “Alien” superfan who loved Hulu’s “Alien: Earth.” This multi-Emmy-winning crime drama is the type of show that sticks in your mind for months after watching, and tells a cautionary tale of adolescent rage and toxic masculinity that feels alarmingly relevant. Stunningly presented, with each episode framed as a single continuous shot, it has the production craft to back up its insightful central yarn.
Opening with the arrest of 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper, making his acting debut), it follows his experience as he is dragged from his bed to the police station, questioned for the murder of a classmate. His father (Stephen Graham) stands by his son as he endures every parent's worst nightmare. Graham is predictably excellent, but Cooper completely steals the show in the series’ high point, chapter three, a claustrophobic and riveting bottle episode.
Watch "Adolescence" on Netflix now
‘Death by Lightning’
Plenty of undeserving Netflix shows have managed to claim the No. 1 spot over the past 10 or so months, but “Death by Lightning,” the current holder of the crown, isn’t one of them. This historical drama with Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen offers everything genre fans could want. From the lavish sets to the excellent performances from its two headline cast members. But, most importantly, it explores a fascinating historical figure in the form of the 20th President of the United States, James A. Garfield.
Chronicling Garfield’s (Shannon) rise from anonymity to the most powerful elected position in the world across four episodes, “Death by Lightning” puts a large focus on his relationship with Charles Guiteau (Macfadyen), at first an admirer of the politician, but who would ultimately assassinate him less than six months into his term in office. It’s a wonderful period piece, and I won’t be surprised to see Shannon and Macfadyen nab Emmy nominations.
Watch "Death by Lightning" on Netflix now
‘Missing You’
“Missing You” is the worst-reviewed entry on this list if you go by Rotten Tomatoes score, and I’m not here to argue that it’s ever going to be considered prestige television. However, the latest collaboration between crime novelist Harlen Coben and Netflix was the perfect way to kickstart the year in streaming. At least, it was in my household. Debuting on New Year’s Day, it was the perfectly disposable binge-watch that I was looking for, and it packs in all the hallmarks of Coben’s popular literary work.
If you’re craving plenty of mysteries to unspool and loads of twists, then you can’t go too far wrong with “Missing You.” Yes, you’ll need to excuse some woolly logic, but if you want a very watchable Netflix show you can very easily polish over a lazy weekend, it’s a suitable pick. “Missing You” centers on detective Kat Donovan (Rosalind Eleazar), who is stunned to find her fiancé on a dating app. Finding your partner on an online app would be reason enough to be alarmed, but the wrinkle here is that Kat’s former flame has been missing for over a decade.
Watch "Missing You" on Netflix now
‘The Residence’
I love a good murder mystery. There’s a reason that “Wake Up Dead Man” (aka “Knives Out 3”) has been my most anticipated Netflix movie of 2025 all year long, so it’s no surprise “The Residence” also ended up on my watchlist. Produced by “Bridgerton” creator Shondaland, this show never managed to gain the traction I was expecting it would, and it was rather quickly canceled after its eight-episode first season, but at least what we got was a fun (and oddly cozy) murder mystery anchored by the ever-excellent Uzo Aduba.
Abuba plays Cordelia Cupp, who is to “The Residence” what Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc is to the “Knives Out” franchise. During a swanky state dinner for the Australian prime minister held at the White House, a murder is committed. Cupp is called onto the scene and finds herself confronted with more than 150 suspects and some 130 rooms to investigate. Identifying the culprit may not be an easy task, but the show itself is particularly breezy.
Watch "The Residence" on Netflix now
‘Splinter Cell: Deathwatch’
French publisher Ubisoft refuses to give gamers a new Splinter Cell video game, but at least fans of the action-stealth franchise were treated to an excellent animated spin on the series via Netflix’s “Splinter Cell: Deathwatch.” Following in the footsteps of previously successful animated adaptations of popular games such as “Castlevania,” “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners,” and “Arcane,” "Splinter Cell: Deathwatch" trades in the same espionage action that made the games such a hit. Plus, it’s just great to see Sam Fisher back in action, even via a different medium.
Already renewed for a second season, “Splinter Cell: Deathwatch” focuses on the franchise’s iconic protagonist Sam Fisher (now voiced by Liev Schreiber). It sees the master operative called back into action to help a new recruit uncover a shadowy global conspiracy. While the animation style is rather generic, it tells a compelling spy thriller story full of high-stakes missions and secret organizations plotting some very sinister schemes.
Watch "Splinter Cell: Deathwatch" on Netflix now
‘Toxic Town’
One of Netflix’s more overlooked TV shows of 2025, “Toxic Town” is a shocking British drama based on a true story. It centers on a fight for justice, and is anchored by former “Doctor Who” star Jodie Whittaker. American viewers might need to watch with subtitles to decipher some of the thick regional accents, but stick with this one, because it tells a very emotional story that explores ordinary people battling for their deserved day in court.
Based on the real-life case of toxic waste pollution in the English town of Corby, Northamptonshire, it features Whittaker as Susan McIntyre, who campaigns alongside other affected families after numerous children in the area are born with serious birth defects. They believe this is due to pollution caused by the improper disposal of toxic waste from an industrial site, which released toxic chemicals across the town. “Toxic Town” is a hidden gem. It also stars Aimee Lou Wood, Robert Carlyle, Rory Kinnear and Brendan Coyle.
Watch "Toxic Town" on Netflix now
‘Wayward’
“Wayward” is a Netflix series that really worked its way into my psyche, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it until I’d reached the (admittedly somewhat anti-climactic) finale. It does a great job building mystery across its eight-episode run, and I was particularly impressed with the work of Mae Martin, who serves not only as the lead but is also the creator. Toni Collette is also perfectly unnerving in a supporting role, but I only wish she’d been given a larger role.
The mystery thriller is set in the town of Tall Pines. Cop Alex Dempsey (Martin) has just moved to the quaint location with his pregnant wife, Laura (Sarah Gadon), but once there, something feels off about the tight-knit community, and especially the leader of the local academy, Evelyn (Collette). Alongside Alex’s struggles to adjust to small-town living, the show follows two new pupils at Tall Pines Academy, who discover dark practices within its walls. A few questions go unanswered, but overall, it’s a great watch.
Watch "Wayward" on Netflix now
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