Whether you’ve seen every show on Netflix and need a refresher on shows to watch or you just recently decided the bite the bullet and opt for their new low-cost option, you have hundreds of must-watch shows on the streaming service at your fingertips, ranging from haunted house thrillers to reality shows, to documentary series and high school teachers building their own meth empire. You know, fun stuff.
But with all of the good shows on Netflix, it’s hard to pick which one to binge-watch as the days grow shorter and colder, and the dreariness of everyday life continues. Luckily, we have meticulously chosen the best Netflix shows right now, so all you have to do is narrow it down from these 50. That’s better than choosing from one of the 1,800 best Netflix series, anyway.
Without further ado, here are the 50 best shows on Netflix right now:
Last updated on June 25, 2024.
1. Stranger Things
Year: 2016
Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard
Genre: Sci-fi, Mystery
Rating: TV-14
Runtime: Seasons 1-4: 34 episodes
Created By: The Duffer Bros
Trailer: Watch here
Stranger Things may or may not have singlehandedly sparked the ’80s nostalgia movement, but one thing is for certain: this Emmy-winning show is very big, and for good reasons. What started as an unsettling series about a missing kid turned into a successful sci-fi franchise, complete with its own lore and squishy villains. The series will end with the upcoming fifth season, but it’s already become a certified classic, and now is the time to jump on the bandwagon before everybody probably dies in season five.
2. The Crown
Year: 2016
Cast: Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce, Lesley Manville, Olivia Colman
Genre: Drama, Historical drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-5; 50 episodes
Created By: Peter Morgan
Trailer: Watch here
The Crown is one of the only shows that the Royals have admitted to watching, or at least, Prince Harry has. The historical drama may not be the most accurate representation of the Royal Family over the years, but by rotating iconic British actors for its a supporting cast that including Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce, and Lesley Manville, it’s hard not to get sucked into their familial politics. The series begins in 1947 and spans all throughout Queen Elizabeth II’s controversial reign while exploring the inner workings of the world’s most famous family. Allegedly.
3. Breaking Bad
Year: 2008
Cast: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn
Genre: Crime, Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-5; 62 episodes
Created By: Vince Gilligan
Trailer: Watch here
The hit drama series may have spawned thousands of memes, but it also just happens to be one of the best shows on television. When Walter White is diagnosed with cancer, he turns to a life of drug manufacturing to help pay for treatment and begins to build a gigantic meth empire. While it might not have the same jokes and snazzy suits as Better Call Saul, its predecessor helped set up the intricate Breaking Bad world in all its stressful glory. And once they all return over a decade later for the Better Call Saul finale, it makes the reveal much more satisfying.
4. Squid Game
Year: 2021
Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-jun
Genre: Action, Thriller, Mystery
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Season 1; 9 episodes
Created By: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Trailer: Watch here
It’s rare that a television show can be so violent yet so universally loved, but Squid Game managed to pull it off! Netflix’s biggest hit explores class politics and capitalism with a splash of violence and a whole lot of death. A group of nearly 500 players is required to go through a number of challenges based on children’s games in order to win over $30 million, with deadly consequences if they lose. The show racked up a whopping 14 Emmy nominations and inspired a real-life Netflix reality competition which may not be a good idea, but we’ll see what happens. Season two is expected to begin production in 2023.
5. Cobra Kai
Year: 2018
Cast: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Xolo Maridueña
Genre: Comedy
Rating: TV-14
Runtime: Seasons 1-5; 50 episodes
Created By: Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Trailer: Watch here
Cobra Kai brings viewers back into the world of The Karate Kid, when everything seemed possible, even catching a fly with a chopstick. Don’t try it, it’s not really possible… probably. The series picks up three decades after the original story, with Johnny Lawrence slowly getting back to his karate roots by helping some kids learn how to defend themselves. Sometimes violence is the answer.
6. The Queen’s Gambit
Year: 2020
Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Camp, Marielle Heller
Genre: Drama
Rating: TV-14
Runtime: Season 1; 7 episodes
Created By: Scott Frank, Allan Scott
Trailer: Watch here
In 2020, the whole world collectively decided to learn how to play chess while watching Anya Taylor-Joy dance around in mod clothes with a fun new haircut. The Queen’s Gambit follows an orphaned prodigy as she navigates the male-dominated world of competitive chess and Kentucky during the 50s. You might think chess is boring, but have you ever seen Anya Taylor-Joy play an entire game of chess in her mind? It’s a must-watch limited series.
7. Ozark
Year: 2017
Cast: Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Julia Garner
Genre: Crime, Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-4; 44 episodes
Created By: Bill Dubuque, Mark Williams
Trailer: Watch here
Ozark might have ended after its fourth season, but Julia Garner’s performance will likely be celebrated for years to come, so now is the perfect time to dive back into the drama. Jason Bateman’s Marty moves his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he must launder $500 million in five years. How hard can that be?! Very hard. But it’s worth a watch.
8. BoJack Horseman
Year: 2014
Cast: Will Arnett, Aaron Paul, Amy Sedaris
Genre: Animated, Dark
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-6; 77 episodes
Created By: Raphael Bob-Waksberg
Trailer: Watch here
BoJack Horseman might seem like a light-hearted take on a horse and his various adventures, but it’s much more than that, though he is a horse. BoJack is a former sitcom star who went a little too hard in the ’80s and now lives a washed-up life in the hills of Hollywood. The animated series blends dark humor with actual real, gut-wrenching moments that have made it a cult favorite.
9. Wednesday
Year: 2022
Cast: Jenna Ortega, Gwendoline Christie, Riki Lindhome, Fred Armisen
Genre: Horror-comedy, Mystery, Teen
Rating: TV-14
Runtime: Season 1; 8 episodes
Created By: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar
Trailer: Watch here
Wednesday might only have a few months under its belt, but it’s quickly becoming a sure Netflix hit. After being streamed over 1 billion (!!) minutes in its first month, the series shows no signs of slowing down, and fans are hopeful for a second season. The series, based on the 1991 film The Addams Family and features contributions from Tim Burton, follows Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams who has some creepy tendencies as she heads to Nevermore Academy, where things are not as they seem, and the dances are wonderfully elaborate. It’s the weird girl representation the world has needed for decades.
10. Better Call Saul
Year: 2015
Cast: Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn
Genre: Crime, Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-6; 63 episodes
Created By: Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould
Trailer: Watch here
Not only was it UPROXX’s favorite show of 2022, but some would argue that Better Call Saul is almost better than its flagship series Breaking Bad. The show follows Jimmy McGill’s early days of sketchy shenanigans that lead him to be the world’s (second) best lawyer, and eventually the scheming Saul Goodman. The series just wrapped up this year, so now you can watch the award-winning show without worrying about future spoilers.
11. The Walking Dead
Year: 2010
Cast: Andrew Lincoln, Steven Yeun, Norman Reedus
Genre: Horror, Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-11; 177 episodes
Created By: Robert Kirkman
Trailer: Watch here
The Walking Dead just wrapped up its monumental run on AMC after over a decade of narrowly escaping those creeper zombies. Based on the popular graphic novel series of the same name, the TV series brought zombies back into the cultural zeitgeist, and while it didn’t work for everyone (ahem, World War Z) the ensemble cast became a staple to 2010 cable… before streaming became the next big thing. With various spin-offs and upcoming sequel shows, now is the time to dive into the dystopian classic.
12. Bridgerton
Year: 2020
Cast: Adjoa Andoh, Julie Andrews, Lorraine Ashbourne
Genre: Period Drama, Comedy
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-2; 16 episodes
Created By: Chris Van Dusen, Julia Quinn
Trailer: Watch here
Bridgerton is now a Netflix staple, and for good reason: the series has helped boost the “regency-core” trend that you probably saw all over TikTok in 2021. The show, executive produced by Shonda Rhimes, follows the prestigious Bridgerton family in Regency-era London as the eligible young women prepare to be paired off with some charming (and not-so-charming) men. There’s a ton of sex, drama, and, most importantly, shameless gossip. Come for the ornate dresses, stay for the passionate love speeches. It’s got something for everybody!
13. The Sandman
Year: 2022
Cast: Tom Sturridge, Boyd Holbrook, Patton Oswalt
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Season 1; 11 episodes
Created By: Neil Gaiman, David S. Goyer, Allan Heinberg
Trailer: Watch here
After years in development, The Sandman finally came to life on Netflix in 2022, following Dream/Morpheus’ fantastical journey through various worlds. Based on the legendary comic book, The Sandman showcases just how fantastical Netflix shows can be when they have the right team behind them. Along with some curious encounters that include Mark Hamil as Pumpkinhead, the series also became a massive hit for doing the impossible: treating its fans with bonus episodes! The series was also renewed for a second season, so we know it won’t be a “once in a century” type of situation.
14. Maid
Year: 2021
Cast: Margaret Qualley, Andie MacDowell, Nick Robinson
Genre: Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Season 1; 10 episodes
Created By: Molly Smith Metzler
Trailer: Watch here
Margaret Qualley plays Alex, a young mom fleeing an abusive relationship who attempts to start over by taking a job as a house cleaner. The series, which uses the best-selling novel of the same name as its source material, is a heartbreaking but realistic representation of young parents and abuse victims, and Qualley plays the part with such raw emotion mixed with dark comedic moments, she is not hard to root for.
15. Narcos/Narcos Mexico
Year: 2015
Cast: Wagner Moura, Pedro Pascal, Boyd Holbrook
Narcos Mexico: Diego Luna, Michael Peña, Scoot McNairy
Genre: Crime, Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-3; 30 episodes
Created By: Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro
Trailer: Watch here
The very real story of Colombia’s most powerful drug cartels stars Pedro Pascal as a DEA agent who is set on bringing down Pablo Escobar in the late 1970s. The series also inspired Narcos: Mexico, a companion show that explores the Mexican drug war in all its mustached glory, with Diego Luna leading the Guadalajara Cartel. This was before he single-handedly revitalized the Star Wars universe in Andor. Of course, the series shows off great performances from its leads, but even more important, we have these timeless promo photos that will go down in history.
16. Key & Peele
Year: 2012 – 2015
Cast: Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele
Genre: Sketch comedy
Rating: TV-14
Runtime: 4 seasons (55 episodes)
Created By: Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele
Trailer: Watch here
Before Jordan Peele revealed himself as a master horror director and Keegan-Michael Key popped up everywhere, they sparked endless laughter with this sketch comedy series. Among other things, this duo showed us the ridiculousness of text-messaging confusion and had a ball with creatively-named football players. Hingle McCringleberry remains the stuff of touchdown-dance legends, and this show never fails to serve as a pick-me up when you need to laugh while also feeling like you’re in on all of the jokes.
17. Loudermilk
Year: 2020
Cast: Ron Livingston, Will Sasso, Anja Savcic
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 3 seasons
Created By: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Mort
Trailer: Watch here
In Loudermilk, Ron Livingston plays a sober and jaded ex-music critic as he attempts to guide others towards recovery, despite his wildly cynical attitude. Buoyed by a solid supporting cast, Loudermilk has picked up a considerable amount of steam in recent months as Netflix viewers have gravitated to this surly comedy that might make a comeback with an all-new fourth season that would turn the titular character into a published author, who still has to deal with his old group.
18. Baby Reindeer
Year: 2024
Cast: Richard Gadd, Jessica Gunning, Nava Mau
Genre: Drama, True(-ish) crime
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 1 season (8 episodes)
Created By: Richard Gadd
Trailer Watch here
Richard Gadd created and stars in this brilliant (although triggering) project that adapts his one-man stage play about his real-life experience of being raped before landing in a traumatic spiral, where a stalker felt free to insert herself. That’s an oversimplistic description of a nuanced series from the Scottish comedian, who embodies Donny with heartbreaking touches also laced with dark comedy. Gadd has cautioned viewers to cease attempting to unravel the true identities of those who plagued him, and if you haven’t watched this series yet, be ready to feel both horrified and spellbound by how Gadd lays himself bare to the world.
19. Dahmer- Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Year: 2022
Cast: Evan Peters, Richard Jenkins, Niecy Nash-Betts
Genre: Drama, Crime
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Season 1; 10 episodes
Created By: Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan
Trailer: Watch here
Evan Peters’ portrayal of real-life killer Jeffrey Dahmer is positively haunting, but the retelling of these infamous murders tries to focus on the impact that Dahmer had on his victims and their families. The disturbing story is hard to watch and had its fair share of controversies, but it became enough of a success for Netflix to order a second season.
20. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Year: 2015
Cast:Ellie Kemper, Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess
Genre: Comedy
Rating: TV-14
Runtime: Seasons 1-4; 52 episodes
Created By: Tina Fey, Robert Carlock
Trailer: Watch here
When you hear about a show that features Jon Hamm as a dim-witted cult leader who imprisoned a bunch of young women in an underground bunker for years, you might not assume that it’s a comedy. But The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a heartwarming one, and it does find its footing throughout the series. This is mostly due to the overly cheery Kimmy, played by Ellie Kemper in what was basically an extension of her character from The Office. But it works! And it also helped bring Tituss Burgess into the spotlight, which is always a good thing.
21. Master Of None
Year: 2015
Cast: Lena Waithe, Naomi Ackie, Aziz Ansari
Genre: Comedy-Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-3; 25 episodes
Created By: Aziz Ansari, Alan Yang
Trailer: Watch Here
Can a show be considered “coming-of-age” when the leads are in their mid-to-late thirties? Maybe! That’s how Master Of None feels. The acclaimed series focuses on Dev and Denise, two thirtysomethings experiencing the great big world of New York City, where people are always cutting in front of the line at ice cream parlors. But Aziz Ansari’s witty one-liners paired with Lena Waithe’s effortless star powers makes this a must-watch.
22. Russian Doll
Year: 2019
Cast: Natasha Lyonne, Charlie Barnett, Greta Lee
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-2; 15 episodes
Created By: Leslye Headland, Natasha Lyonne, Amy Poehler
Trailer: Watch Here
This trippy comedy series is worth it. Helmed by the legendary Natasha Lyonne, Russian Doll is a psychedelic experience that is a great example of how shows can (and should be!) pure fun and a little mind-bendy. Lyonne stars as Nadia, a woman who gets trapped in a time loop on her 36th birthday, and becomes faced with her own morality. It’s like the existential version of Groundhog Day, but with much better outfits.
23. You
Year: 2018
Cast: Penn Badgley, Victoria Pedretti, Elizabeth Lail
Genre: Mystery, Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 4 seasons
Created By: Greg Berlanti, Sera Gamble
Trailer: Watch here
Hey, You. Yes, you might think that a show from the perspective of a stalker would be hard to watch, and you would be right. But it’s fictional, so it’s fine! You is based on the spooky novel of the same name, following Joe (later Will, then Jonathan… this man is busy) as a lowly bookstore clerk who happens to dabble in some light stalking and gratuitous violence. But Penn Badgley is just so charming, it’s easy to get sucked into the world of Joe Goldberg and his silly little books. We can only hope that he will eventually have a very satisfying death… just after a few more seasons of creepiness.
24. Peaky Blinders
Year: 2013
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Sam Neill, Helen McCrory
Genre: Drama, Period Piece
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-6; 36 episodes
Created By: Steven Knight
Trailer: Watch here
This gritty period drama has quite a few familiar faces throughout its six seasons, including Tom Hardy, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Sam Claflin. In the aftermath of World War I, crime boss Tommy Shelby and his gang as they dodge the police and try to remain undetected while dealing with the turmoil of the early 20th century. Doesn’t Cillian Murphy just have the perfect “I belong in 1919” face?
25. Schitt’s Creek
Year: 2014
Cast: Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Daniel Levy
Genre: Comedy
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-6; 80 episodes
Created By: Eugene Levy, Daniel Levy
Trailer: Watch here
Whether or not you’ve seen this well-loved show, you’ve probably seen someone with a Rose Apothecary t-shirt over the last few years. Schitt’s Creek follows the very wealthy Rose family as they suddenly lose their very large fortune and are forced to act like normal people in a small Ontario town which they had purchased decades before. These are very normal problems! But the quirky family will surely tug at your heartstrings every once in a while when they are not screaming at each other.
26. The Umbrella Academy
Year: 2019
Cast: Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-3; 30 episodes
Created By: Steve Blackman
Trailer: Watch here
Netflix has had a lot of success when it comes to TV shows based on popular comics, and The Umbrella Academy is the shining star. Based on Gerard Way’s own dark comic (yes, the guy from My Chemical Romance) the series follows an ensemble cast of estranged adopted siblings who come together after the death of their father…and they all have very eclectic superpowers, like the ability to bend reality or mind control, you know, all of that good stuff. The series has been renewed for an upcoming fourth and final season, but Netflix hasn’t ruled out the possibility of spinoff shows.
27. Suits
Year: 2011
Cast: Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Meghan Markle, Sarah Rafferty
Genre: Drama
Rating: TV-14
Runtime: 9 seasons
Created By: Aaron Korsh
Trailer: Watch here
In Suits, Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) uses his photographic memory to talk his way into a job with Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht), one of the top legal closers in the business. There’s just one small problem: Mike is a college dropout who never made it to law school. However, the two prove to be a dynamite combo in the courtroom, but if Mike’s secret gets out, there could be big trouble for not just both men, but Harvey’s entire firm. Also, yes, let’s address the elephant in the room. The show does star Meghan Markle before she married Prince Harry and became a literal Duchess. It’s a neat little factoid, but at the end of the day, Suits is just a damn good legal drama.
28. Beef
Year:2023
Cast: Steven Yeun, Ali Wong
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Season 1; 10 episodes
Created By: Lee Sung-Jin
Trailer: Watch here
Road rage has never looked this… full of rage? After a tense parking lot moment between two strangers, their lives each become a chaotic mix of drama, humor, and some light illegal activities. Who among us hasn’t spiraled after buying some home improvement products?
29. Emily In Paris
Year: 2020
Cast: Lily Collins, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Rating: TV-14
Runtime: Seasons 1-3; 30 episodes
Created By: Darren Starr
Trailer: Watch here
Emily In Paris became one of those “hate to love it” TV shows in 2020 when there wasn’t a lot to watch. But it actually managed to be one of those fun binges because of its quirky lead and French backdrop, plus a glowing endorsement from Peyton Manning. Emily, played by Lily Collins, gets the opportunity to escape her American life and land her dream job in Paris, and who would ever want to pass that up? Season three of the comedy drops this month, so there will be even more Instagrammable croissant moments.
30. The Night Agent
Year: 2023
Cast: Gabriel Basso, Luciane Buchanan, Hong Chau
Genre: Suspense, Politcal Mysteries
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1; 10 episodes
Created By: Shawn Ryan
Trailer: Watch here
This show has quietly become one of the most-watched Netflix titles on the site. Young FBI agent Peter Sutherland is thrown into the world of wide-scale political conspiracies as he is tasked with investigating a mole in the United States government. In order to protect his peers (and the country) he must go rogue and find out who the traitor is before it’s too late.
31. Lucifer
Year: 2016
Cast: Tom Ellis, Lauren German, Kevin Alejandro
Genre: Crime, Drama, Fantasy
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-6; 63 episodes
Developed By: Tom Kapinos
Trailer: Watch here
As with most afterlife experiences, it can be hard to make it in Hell, which is why going to Los Angeles is always fun. This is the very watered-down explanation of Lucifer, based on Neil Gaiman’s iconic iteration of the character. Lucifer features the man himself, Lucifer, as he runs a Los Angeles nightclub while also working with the LAPD to solve ominous crimes. After a short stint on Fox, the series was picked up by Netflix, where it acquired a large cult following.
32. Big Mouth
Year: 2017
Cast: Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein, Jason Mantzoukas, Maya Rudolph
Genre: Comedy
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 6 seasons
Created By: Andrew Goldberg, Nick Kroll, Mark Levin, Jennifer Flackett
Trailer: Watch here
In the wildly raunchy animated series, Big Mouth, a group of teens do their best to navigate puberty as their developing urges and seemingly out-of-control bodily functions throw them curveball after curveball thanks in no small part to the literal hormone monsters on their shoulders. Featuring an all-star comedy cast that includes Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jason Mantzoukas, and the always incredible Maya Rudolph, Big Mouth will have you laughing your ass clear off, so plan accordingly.
33. The Diplomat
Year:2023
Cast: Kerri Russell, Rufus Sewell
Genre: Poltical Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Season 1; 8 episodes
Created By: Debora Cahn
Trailer: Watch here
Keri Russell has made her triumphant return to the political drama sphere with The Diplomat,Netflix’s latest series. In this political thriller, Russell stars as the titular diplomat who struggles to maintain the balance between her high-profile job as a UK ambassador and her struggling marriage amid an international crisis. When it rains, it pours, and sometimes you have to deal with both hostile political attacks and hostile partner attacks.
34. Dead Boy Detectives
Year: 2024
Cast: George Rexstrew, Jayden Revri, Kassius Nelson
Genre: Fantasy, comic-book adaptation
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 1 season (8 episodes)
Created By: Steve Yockey
Trailer Watch here
Welcome to another side of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman universe, in which two young detectives discover each other while dead after being born decades apart. They’re BFF ghosts who also happen to have a knock for solving mysteries, particularly when something paranormal is afoot. That’s precisely what they encounter, including witches and the depths of Hell while aiming to help the mortal realm find closure through their investigations with a little Death (hint hint) on the side.
35. Midnight Mass
Year: 2021
Cast: Kate Siegel, Zach Gilford, Hamish Linklater
Genre: Drama, Horror
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 1 season, 7 episodes
Created By: Mike Flanagan
Trailer: Watch Here
While Midnight Mass might not have gotten as much traction as The Haunting Of Hill House or any of Mike Flanagan’s other mesmerizing shows, the ominous series features an unforgettable performance by Hamish Linklater that will go down in Netflix history. Zach Gilford stars as Riley, a young man who returns to his small island town after being released from jail, and he has to slowly readjust to small-town life, while some looming supernatural figure seems to be lurking about. There are jump scares galore, but there is also a touching story about trauma and healing.
36. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Year:2023
Cast: India Amarteilfio, Adjoa Andoh, Golda Rosheuvel
Genre: Romance, Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1; 6 episodes
Created By: Shonda Rhimes
Trailer: Watch here
This Bridgerton prequel follows a young Queen Charlotte as she (reluctantly) begins her reign after marrying King George. The newly-crowned royal must navigate her various royal duties while trying to align with the high society of England, which is notoriously unkind to new visitors. In true Bridgerton fashion, the drama is sandwiched between over-the-top sex scenes and orchestral arrangements of your favorite pop songs. It’s got everything!
37. One Piece
Year: 2023
Cast: Ińaki Godoy, Emily Rudd, Mackenyu, Jacob Romero Gibson
Genre: Action, Adventure
Rating: TV-14
Runtime: 8 episodes
Created By: Eiichiro Oda, Steven Maeda
Trailer: Watch here
In this live-action adaptation of the wildly popular anime, One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy (Ińaki Godoy) as he lead his tight-knitted crew on a search for the titular treasure that will make him “King of the Pirates.” While Netflix has struggled with its past attempts to bring anime to life, One Piece has been racking up rave reviews and has already been greenlit for a second season thanks to its killer adaptation of the beloved animated series and its colorful characters.
38. GLOW
Year: 2017
Cast: Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin, Marc Maron
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-3; 30 episodes
Created By: Liz Flahive, Carly Mensch
Trailer: Watch Here
One of Netflix’s early original series, GLOW aka The Gorgeous Women Of Wrestling centers on Ruth, a struggling actress who gets involved in the women’s wrestling scene in the late 80s. Full of bright neons and sequin suits, GLOW shows the ladies as they train to become to strongest (and most gorgeous) ladies in the women’s Southern California wrestling circuit, while participating in various shenanigans and spending hours on those updos. While the show never got the ending it deserved, Alison Brie has a good track record for getting movie endings to her former shows, so there is still hope!
39. The Lincoln Lawyer
Year: 2022
Cast: Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Neve Campbell, Becki Newton
Genre: Crime, Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-2; 15 episodes
Created By: David E. Kelley
Trailer: Watch here
Based on Michael Connelly’s crime novels, The Lincoln Lawyer follows lawyer Mickey Haller as he manages to take cases while working out of the back of his Lincoln town car because, hey, times are tough, and at least it’s not a Tesla. The series was renewed for a second season, which is expected to drop in 2023.
40. Dead To Me
Year: 2019
Cast: Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, James Marsden
Genre: Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-3; 30 episodes
Created By: Liz Feldman
Trailer: Watch Here
Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini star as two hard-headed women both reeling from the deaths of their respective partners, though things might not be what they seem. The duo forms an unlikely bond after meeting in a grief support group, where Applegate’s Jen begins to think that Judy is not telling the whole truth when it comes to her alleged dead husband. The series exhibits the trauma and friendships that can come in the aftermath of death. With Applegate and Cardellini’s undeniable chemistry, it’s a shame that these characters don’t exist in the real world.
41. The Haunting Of Hill House
Year: 2018
Cast: Michiel Huisman, Carla Gugino, Timothy Hutton
Genre: Drama, Horror
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Season 1; 10 episodes
Created By: Mike Flanagan
Trailer: Watch Here
Based on the classic 1959 horror novel of the same name, The Haunting Of Hill House tells the story of the Crain family, both as children and adults, through a series of flashbacks and terrifying childhood memories that took place at the remote home. The family tries to piece together what happened after one fateful summer at Hill House drove the family from the property, and they have been haunted ever since.
42. Orange Is The New Black
Year: 2013
Cast: Taylor Schilling, Kate Mulgrew, Laura Prepon
Genre: Comedy-Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-7; 91 episodes
Created By: Jenji Kohan
Trailer: Watch Here
One of the early Netflix hits, Orange is the New Black was the show that made people think, “hey, maybe streaming is going to work!” OITNB introduced viewers to the various eclectic inmates at a women’s prison in New York, where Piper is sent after her drug-running past finally catches up with her. While in prison, Piper encounters different types of friends (and foes) before confronting her former drug partner/lover. And it has a fantastic theme song.
43. The Tourist
Year: 2022
Cast: Jamie Dornan, Danielle Macdonald, Shalom Brune-Franklin
Genre: Thriller
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 6 episodes
Created By: Harry Williams, Jack Williams
Trailer: Watch here
In The Tourist, Jamie Dornan stars as an Irishman who wakes up from a car crash in the Australian outback with no idea who he is or how he got there. More pressingly, he also has no idea why so many people are trying to kill him. Dornan’s character has nothing to go on, but a note in his pocket telling him to meet someone at a local cafe. Will he find answers or just more mysteries in this taut BBC thriller?
44. Bodies
Year: 2023
Cast: Shira Haas, Stephen Graham, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Kyle Soller, Amaka Okafor
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 8 episodes
Created By: Paul Tomalin
Trailer: Watch here
In the wildly intriguing British drama, Bodies, four detectives across time find themselves tasked with solving the murder of the exact same body. The fate of Britain relies on them finding the answer to the paradoxal death in this time-twisty tale. Thanks to Bodies being a limited series, the show wraps up its story by the final episode making it the perfect watch for those who don’t like their mysteries stretched out for season after season.
45. Black Mirror
Year: 2011
Cast: Jesse Plemons, Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Seasons 1-6; 27 episodes
Created By: Charlie Brooker
Trailer: Watch Here
What started as a fun anthology series about iPhones by the show’s creator Charlie Brooker, slowly descended into a realistic portrayal of how our world will likely evolve in the next few decades if we keep letting computers rule our lives. But the show has a really great cast, so it’s worth it. Black Mirror takes on just about every technologically-adjacent problem like social media and dating apps and turns it into a slow-burning horror story about the dangers of how these types of things affect our brains. Yes, it’s a bit of a warning that we are a little too reliant on media, but they also have fun little songs, so we can overlook the scary parts!
46. Sex Education
Year: 2019 – 2023
Cast: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa
Genre: Comedy
Rating: TV-14
Runtime: 3 seasons (25 episodes)
Created By: Laurie Nunn
Trailer: Watch here
Gillian Anderson is a long way from both The X-Files and The Crown as a sex therapist who happens to be quite talented at embarrassing the heck out of her son, Otis (Asa Butterfield), who is dealing with his own coming-of-age journey under more scrutiny than most. Emma Mackey and Jemima Kirke stand out as highlights of this multi-season hit, and somewhere along the way, Anderson’s character also became pregnant. Oh, Mom.
47. 3 Body Problem
Year: 2024
Cast: Jess Hong, Liam Cunningham, Eiza González, Benedict Wong, Sam Bradley
Genre: Science-Fiction, Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 8 episodes
Created By: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Alexander Woo
Trailer: Watch here
In this ambitious adaptation of the award-winning novel, 3 Body Problem tackles a sprawling alien invasion unlike anything viewers have seen before. As the Earth’s best scientists become aware of the looming threat to humanity, they realize they may be powerless and far too late to thwart an alien civilization that’s traveled over 400 light years to squash the world’s population like a bug. From Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, 3 Body Problem is shaping up to a TV drama that’s just as addicting to watch as their last romp through Westeros.
48. One Day
Year: 2024
Cast: Ambika Mod, Leo Woodall
Genre: Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 10 episodes
Created By: Nicole Taylor
Trailer: Watch here
In this British adaptation of the 2009 novel, One Day tracks two lovers Emma (Ambika Mod) and Dexter (Leo Woodall) as they embark on a 20-year relationship that all started with a chance meeting at their graduation ball for the University of Edinburgh. This romantic limited series has been a smash hit for Netflix as viewers flocked to watch Emma and Dexter’s love blossom no matter what life throws at them.
49. The Watcher
Year: 2022
Cast: Naomi Watts, Bobby Cannavale, Jennifer Coolidge
Genre: Thriller
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Season 1; 7 episodes
Created By: Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan
Trailer: Watch Here
Based on the disturbing true story, The Watcher may or may not be a hoax (we will never know) but one thing’s for certain: the show is too much fun, thanks to the weary neighbor characters, suspense, and Jennifer Coolidge. The story goes like so: a well-meaning family moves into their dream home before being sent threatening letters from someone known as “the watcher.” And yes, it is based on a true story… though it’s up for interpretation.
50. Girls5eva
Year: 2021
Cast: Sara Bareilles, Busy Phillips, Paula Pell, Renée Elise Goldsberry
Genre: Comedy
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 3 seasons
Created By: Meredith Scardino
Trailer: Watch here
In this hilarious sitcom from Tina Fey and the creative teams behind The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and 30 Rock that got snatched up from Peacock, Girls5eva focuses on a female pop star group as they try to stage a comeback nearly 20 years after striking gold in the 2000s. However, with families to balance and the world changing around them, the ladies of Girls5eva are not having the best of luck re-entering a music industry that’s only grown more chaotic and nonsensical.
