Entertainment Best Netflix shows: 30 great TV series to stream in the US
Best Netflix shows: 30 great TV series to stream in the US
Determining what the best Netflix shows are is easier than you think. True, the streaming giant pumps out lots of content these days, so you might think it’s difficult to work out what’s worth watching.
That’s where we come in. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the 30 best series on Netflix, including options from the company’s original programming slate – when it’s not canceling them, anyway – and licensed shows. That’ll make things easier for you, then.
The newest entry in our best Netflix shows article is Entergalactic. An animated musical drama developed by rapper-music producer Kid Cudi, Entergalactic is yet another fascinating example of how Netflix is pushing boundaries in the animation space. If you’re a fan of animated works, Kid Cudi, or great shows in general, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Not fussed on how that sounds? Don’t worry. Our best Netflix shows list is made up of multiple genres, so every TV aficionado will find something worth streaming this weekend. Each entry comes with our expert seal of approval, so you know they come highly recommended from our entertainment team.
Before you dive in, be sure to check out our round up of every Tudum 2022 announcement. Once you’re ready, check out the 30 best series to stream on Netflix US as of September 30, 2022.
Entergalactic
This adult-oriented musical drama might be viewed as a corporate cash-grab-style show that’s been made to sell numerous copies of Kid Cudi’s most recent album.
However, it’s anything but. Entergalactic is a gorgeous, eye-popping series that, like Arcane, sets Netflix’s animated offerings apart from its streaming competitors. It’s a celebration of Black culture, music, and fashion, and packages them altogether in a tightly woven, multi-genre, and musically-led story that audiences will be able to relate to in some form.
Entergalactic stars Kid Cudi as Jabari, a streetwise and upcoming musician who, after a random encounter with new flame Meadow (Jessica Williams), must figure out whether he can make space in his life for love when he’s on the cusp of superstardom. Timothée Chalamet, Vanessa Hudgens, Macaulay Culkin, and Jaden Smith are among the show’s all-star cast.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Based on true events, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is a truly unsettling watch that many Netflix subscribers have struggled to make it through.
The shocking crime biopic dramatizes events where infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer gruesomely murdered 17 innocent victims – and got away with doing so for nearly 15 years, despite the increasingly desperate and vociferous pleas of those who knew what he had done.
Unsurprisingly, it’s a very grim and deeply disturbing watch. Evan Peters delivers a discomforting performance as Dahmer, with the show’s supporting cast equally captivating as the individuals swept up in this macabre tale of human cruelty, dereliction of duty, and broken systems.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Based on CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 videogame, Edgerunners is an anime spin-off series that delivers gratuitous violence, high-octane action, and mature themes in spades. The 10-episode series comes from Studio Trigger, a Tokyo-based studio whose other fan favorite works include Little Witch Academia, Star Wars: Visions, and Kill la Kill.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a majestic looking show packed with fraught relationships, frenetic and brutally gory set-pieces, and thought provoking material that ask what it means to be human in a sci-fi dystopia riddled with immeasurable sociopolitical issues. Fans of animation, Cyberpunk, or both will want to catch this one as soon as possible.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
Cobra Kai
Once a YouTube original, Netflix snapped up the rights to Karate Kid continuation TV show Cobra Kai and turned it into a smash hit. Set 34 years after Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) was defeated by Danny LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), the former opens the Cobra Kai dojo once more to teach a new generation of kids how to fight. This sparks Johnny and Danny’s old rivalry, and the action spins out from there.
If you love Karate Kid, this show is a lot of fun, and both its leads are in surprisingly great condition considering they’re each performing fight stunts in their fifties. The show’s fifth season is available now and, as one of the best Netflix shows around, you won’t want to miss it.
Seasons on Netflix: 5
The Sandman
The Sandman is a stunning example of how a legendary comic book series – or any reading-based material – should be adapted. Based on Neil Gaiman’s iconic dark fantasy works, The Sandman tells the tale of Morpheus (Tom Sturridge), aka Dream/the titular Sandman, one of seven immortal beings called the Endless and ruler of the Dream Dimension.
When Morpheus is unwittingly captured by an amateur occultist in 1916, he’s imprisoned on Earth for over a century and stripped of the magical items that give him his powers. Eventually escaping, Morpheus returns home – only to find his kingdom has fallen into disrepair and, save for a few loyal inhabitants, completely deserted. So begins his journey to retrieve his magical vestments and restore his realm to its former glory.
The Sandman’s story may sound pretty basic, but it’s so much more than that. It weaves a multi-narrative tapestry full of thrilling drama, captivating characters, fantasy-based horror, and rich thematic resonance. Check out our spoiler-free season 1 review and exclusive chat with its cast and crew for more on one of the best Netflix shows of modern times.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
The Umbrella Academy
Based on the comic books written by My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way and illustrated by Gabriel Bá, The Umbrella Academy is Netflix’s own superhero original.
After 43 babies are born to women who showed no signs of pregnancy, seven are adopted by billionaire Sir Reginald Hargreeves, who trains them to save the world using their powers. After the family becomes estranged, they are reunited once more when their father dies and are forced to come to terms with their past and the danger that lurks in their future.
Starring Elliot Page and an amazing ensemble, The Umbrella Academy is flamboyant, dark, and gratifyingly violent: all the ingredients you need for a great superhero series. Read our spoiler-free review on the show’s third season before finding out why the show’s fourth season will be its last.
Seasons on Netflix: 3
Peaky Blinders
Originally airing on BBC One in the UK, Peaky Blinders makes its sixth and final appearance on Netflix US.
Loosely based on the real-life Peaky Blinders gang that menacingly patrolled the UK’s streets in the late 19th and early 20th century, the show largely follows the exploits of Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), the ambitious and cunning leader of the Shelby family. The series charts the rise and fall of the Shelbys as they navigate the changing landscape at home and abroad, trying to stay one step ahead of the authorities while simultaneously tackling global issues including the prohibition era and the rise of fascism in the 1930s.
The sixth season holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (opens in new tab) – the same as seasons 2 and 3 do – so expect a rip-roaring finale to one of the best British shows of recent years. A movie is thought to be in its pre-production phase, so we won’t be saying goodbye to Tommy and the gang just yet.
Seasons on Netflix: 6
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a brilliant homage to ’80s pop culture. Leaning heavily on Spielberg, John Carpenter and Stephen King – so much King, in fact – the story revolves around a small town, a group of friends, a missing person and a dodgy science lab. Writing anything else would give away the myriad twists in a show that is full of creepy fun, superhero-esque action, thrilling mysteries, and devilishly gruesome horror.
Season 4 is available to stream in its entirety now. In our spoiler-free Stranger Things 4 review, we called it “a hugely ambitious gamble” that’s full of “absorbing, action-packed, and horror-fuelled entry that’s bursting with revelations aplenty”. Read our season 4 part 2 ending explainer to find out how Stranger Things’ latest entry sets up its fifth and final season, too. It’s one of the best Netflix shows around and, once you’re hooked, we’re sure you’ll agree.
Seasons on Netflix: 4
Love, Death & Robots
Like most (if not all) anthologies, the quality of Adult CG animated anthology Love, Death and Robots varies between episodes, but taken as a larger work, this show has a lot to give. The ideas vary wildly between comedy, horror, action, and drama, with a dark touch at the heart of the series – what happens if a home-cleaning unit starts trying to kill its owner? What happens if a yoghurt tries to secure world domination? Sometimes, an episode is as simple as a woman being on the run from a killer after witnessing a horrible murder.
The episodes are super short, so you’ll fire through this entire series in a weekend if you can stomach all the good and bad (though mostly bad) things that happen to its eclectic cast of characters. Love, Death and Robots offers some of the best sci-fi thrills on Netflix, so it’s worth checking out if you’re a fan of animation.
If you wish to weigh up your opinion of every episode against ours, this handy ranked list of every Love, Death and Robots story should be top of your agenda.
Seasons on Netflix: 3
Heartstopper
Based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novel series of the same name, Heartstopper is a romantic coming-of-age tale that’s been hailed as one of the best Netflix shows of recent times.
Heartstopper stars Joe Locke as Charlie Spring, a gentle schoolboy who strikes up an unlikely friendship with Kit Connor’s rugby-obsessed Nick Nelson. It isn’t long before the pair realize that a blossoming romance is developing between them, however, forcing them to confront (and accept) who they are and what they want out of life and a relationship.
It’s an empathetic, sweet, relatable, and emotional tale about self-discovery, friendship, teen love, and queerness. Based on its 100% certified fresh rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes (opens in new tab) – it also holds a ridiculously high 97% approval ratings among general audiences – it seems that Heartstopper is worth the hype. Two more seasons are on the way, with production on season 2 having started.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
Russian Doll
Orange Is The New Black’s Natasha Lyonne stars in this dark comedy as Nadia, a wisecracking New Yorker who keeps dying and reliving her 36th birthday party in a surreal time loop – much like Groundhog Day.
The show’s second season sees Nadia and fellow time-traveler Alan (Charlie Barnett) finding themselves able to travel through time, rather than being endlessly trapped in the past experiencing the same day over and over again.
With its cynical and witty examination of living and dying, Russian Doll switches rapidly between laugh-out-loud hilarity and devastating sadness, all the while exploring such an existential topic through a sci-fi lens. It’s a must-watch and one of the best Netflix shows to date.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
Better Call Saul
How do you follow up on one of the biggest shows in history? This is how. Better Call Saul is a prequel masterclass to the famous Breaking Bad, filling in the murky backstory of the garishly-dressed hustler lawyer, Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman, and gradually crafting characters engrossing, unpredictable, and engaging enough to justify its existence in its own right.
This tale of Jimmy’s descent into the criminal, drug-infested circles of Albuquerque takes place eight years before that of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, and is often slower and less action-packed than Breaking Bad. All six seasons are available now, so catch it while it’s a hot topic of conversation among your peers.
Seasons on Netflix: 6
Bridgerton
This bold and sexually-charged Netflix period drama, based on Julia Quinn’s romance novels, has quickly become the talk of the ‘ton’. It follows a coterie of young socialites as they navigate a season of balls, betrothals, and betrayals in 1813 London – and attempt to outmanoeuvre the mysterious Lady Whistledown, whose ‘gossip sheets’ are able to make or break a debutante’s reputation overnight.
It’s largely a blast, with sharp screenwriting, costumes and backdrops bursting with colour, and playful covers of Taylor Swift or Ariana Grande on period-appropriate instruments. Its diverse casting is a relief, too, underlining Bridgerton’s willingness to modernise and shake up an often stuffy genre. It’s not all smooth sailing, though, particularly in its troublesome treatment of sexual assault in one unfortunately memorable episode in season 1. Still, its inclusion in our best Netflix shows list is a necessity.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
Vikings Valhalla
Set 100 years after the events depicted in the History Channel/Prime Video series, Vikings Valhalla focuses on the final decades of the Viking era, which will culminate in their final defeat during the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066.
Valhalla follows the rise of three legendary Vikings – Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett), Harald Hardrada (Leo Suter) and Freydis Eiriksdottir (Frida Gustavsson) – as they become embroiled in the increasingly geopolitical and religious battles taking place in 11th Century England.
Netflix’s quasi-sequel doesn’t reinvent much of what viewers will have previously seen. But, if you were a fan of Vikings’ historical drama, regular clashing of metal, and study of character and sociopolitics, Valhalla is worth checking out. And so is our chat with the show’s cast, which contains some intriguing information about how Valhalla differentiates itself from its predecessor.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
Murderville
Based on a BBC Three TV show called Murder in Successville, Murderville follows Will Arnett’s eccentric detective Terry Seattle as he looks to solve a new murder-mystery case in the series’ six episodes.
The major twist on the comedy whodunit show, though, is that Arnett’s Seattle teams up with a new celebrity in each episode. Aside from a brief rundown about the case that they need to solve, Seattle and his guest star partner (and the show’s supporting cast) have no script to read from, either. In order to solve the crime, then, they must improvise – a situation that bears plenty of comedy fruit for viewers to lose themselves in.
With plenty of household names starring in the show’s first season – Conan O’Brien, Eternals star Kumail Nanjiani, and Sharon Stone are among the guests who appear – fans of improv and murder-mystery tales are sure to lap this up.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
Ozark
Netflix’s Breaking Bad-esque family crime thriller was popular before the pandemic – then the arrival of a new season in 2020 seemed to supercharge interest in the show. Jason Bateman plays Marty Byrde, a financial advisor who drags his family to the Missouri Ozarks in order to launder hundreds of millions of dollars, and keep a cartel boss off his back. Laura Linney plays his wife, Wendy, who arguably develops more than any other character over the course of its twist-heavy run.
It’s not always an easy viewing experience, but Ozark is a solid prestige drama with a great ensemble cast. Season 4, divided into two parts, officially closed out the series.
Seasons on Netflix: 4
The Witcher
The Witcher is a TV adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s best-selling books, which have also been adapted into a series of popular games.
If you were disappointed by the end of Game of Thrones, it’s a treat. Henry Cavill plays monster hunter Geralt of Rivia in a story that spans decades and wars between nations. And with season 2 uniting him with other fan favorite characters from the novels, the show’s second outing is even better than the first.
The Witcher doesn’t quite feel like ‘prestige’ TV in the way Game of Thrones tried to be, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s an enjoyable, funny, action-packed and dramatic fantasy series that’ll delight Witcher fans and more casual viewers. Season 3 has finished filming and will launch on Netflix in summer 2023. Spin-off show Blood Origin arrives on December 25, 2022, too.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
Arcane
Developed by Riot Games, Arcane is a prequel story set in the beloved world of League of Legends (LoL). Set before the events of the fan favorite MOBA, Arcane follows the likes of Vi (Hailee Steinfeld), Jinx (Ella Purnell) and Jayce (Kevin Alejandro) as they embark on their respective journeys towards becoming the heroes and villains of Riot’s multiplayer game.
With its all-star cast, beautifully unique visuals from French studio Fortiche Productions, and a tale that’s built on explosive action and heart breaking narratives, Arcane isn’t just a show that services LoL fans. No matter if you’re a diehard fan or a relative newcomer to the franchise, Arcane will wow you in equal measure. And, with a second season on the way, there’ll be more awesome animation and story content to come from one of the best Netflix shows ever.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
You
You returned for its third season in October 2021 – this time casting Penn Badgley’s obsessive Joe Goldberg as a father, as he settles down with dangerous partner Love (Victoria Pedretti) in the suburbs. Things don’t stay normal for long, of course, but we’ll let you discover that for yourself.
Just know that this knotty, twist-heavy and sometimes outrageous show is perfect if you’re in the right frame of mind for it. Somehow, too, despite focusing on a character that’s so toxic on paper, it manages to keep you engaged with every beat – no wonder Netflix renewed it for a fourth season a while ago, before announcing the release dates for its two parts at Tudum 2022.
Seasons on Netflix: 3
Seinfeld
Seinfeld is a show about friends Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer, and the various preposterous social situations and awkward encounters that make up their lives. Famously known as a sitcom about nothing, it goes against the feel-good underpinning of its ’90s contemporaries and insists its characters never learn any lessons.
That means it’s still wickedly funny years later. The first two seasons of Seinfeld are a bumpy ride, but from season 4 onwards there’s never a bad episode. Check out our best Seinfeld episodes for recommendations on our favorites. The only disappointment about streaming the show on Netflix is the fact it streams solely in widescreen – but for most people that won’t make a big difference.
Seasons on Netflix: 9
Squid Game
Squid Game is Netflix’s biggest TV show ever, breaking all kinds of records that even Stranger Things can’t beat. This South Korean drama comes from the mind of director Hwang Dong-hyuk, and follows a group of indebted citizens invited to risk their lives in a mysterious survival game.
Given the excited furore that has erupted around the show, though, you probably knew that already. Like Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite before it, Squid Game plays on the concept of class division as a catalyst for violence, satirizing reality television by having 456 contestants duke it out in a series of child-friendly games with deadly twists. It definitely leans on tropes first established by Battle Royale (which itself inspired The Hunger Games series), but this show is nonetheless an original and exhilarating way to while away your evenings.
A second season in currently in development, as is a satirical series (from original creator Hwang Song-hyuk) about Squid Game’s actual development, so one of the best Netflix shows of all-time will return in multiple capacities soon.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
Midnight Mass
Midnight Mass is about a young man (Zach Gilford) who returns to his secluded island home of Crockett to serve a parole sentence. At the same time, a new priest (Hamish Linklater) arrives just as miraculous events start occurring across the island – leading the whole community to embrace religion in an unprecedented fashion. Something dark, however, lurks beneath the surface of this place.
There’s a touch of Wicker Man-esque folk horror to this series, which honestly takes a little too long to start getting scary (three episodes, in fact), but it’s well worth binging this 7 episode miniseries. Even though some of its discussions around religion are entirely played out, the characterization here is sharp – and Linklater absolutely steals scenes as a new community leader who you don’t feel like you can trust.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
Sex Education
Sex Education feels like a beautiful culmination of Netflix’s push for progressive and diverse programming. Set in the picturesque British countryside, Sex Education follows the misadventures of the students, faculty and parents of Moordale Secondary School as they navigate the turbulent waters of sexuality. The show has resonated deeply with fans thanks to its balance of heart warming character work and informative approach to topical issues such as varied sexual identities, gendered power structures, family dynamics, and much more.
Gillian Anderson and Asa Butterfield lead a stellar cast of fresh faces in this unmissable deep dive into the various ways we express ourselves as sexual beings. Season 4 is currently in development, so we’ll be seeing more of one of the best Netflix shows again soon.
Seasons on Netflix: 3
Money Heist
Don’t let the strangely goofy name put you off. Money Heist, or La Casa del Papel as it’s known in Spanish-speaking countries, is a thrilling heist drama about a group of criminals.
Brought together by an enigmatic figure called The Professor to rob the Royal Mint of Spain, Money Heist is full of dense characterization, big twists and career-making performances in an unusual and clever heist show that’ll grip you right away.
While it’s been a huge hit with Spanish-speaking viewers, Money Heist has found a big audience in English-speaking nations, too. Whatever you do, though, make sure you switch the default dub off and listen to the original Spanish audio with subtitles. It’ll add to the viewing experience, trust us.
Seasons on Netflix: 3 (divided into five parts)
I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson
It won’t take you long to binge both seasons of Tim Robinson’s latest sketch comedy series – each episode is only 15 minutes long. The basic setup of a lot of its sketches is the same: someone performs a faux pas, then takes that awkward moment to such extremes that it escalates in its strangeness. It’s definitely an acquired taste, but then so many of the best things are.
Episode titles like ‘They have a cake shop there Susan where the cakes just look stunning’ and ‘I need a wet paper towel’ only underline the strangeness.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
Sweet Tooth
This post-apocalyptic fantasy series is about a half-human, half-deer boy who travels across the ruined world with a hardened protector – searching for a new life amid the ruins of America. If you’re in the mood for something that just about counts as warm family viewing but has an edge, don’t miss Sweet Tooth. If you enjoy it, check out Jeff Lemire’s wonderful comics that the show is based on afterwards.
It’s become a monster hit for Netflix and, unsurprisingly, Sweet Tooth season 2 is on the way.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
Shadow and Bone
Netflix has enjoyed plenty of success with its fantasy TV offerings in recent times. Shadow and Bone, then, had plenty to live up to in a genre that also contains The Witcher, but it more than holds its own with an adventurous and twisting plot, investable characters and lots of drama.
It can take a couple of episodes to get into Shadow and Bone, and there could have been a bit more in the way of action. Once you’re invested in its story and characters, though, Shadow and Bone is a world you can easily get lost in – and one you’ll want to.
Filming has wrapped on season 2 of Shadow and Bone, with Netflix revealing a first-look teaser at Tudum 2022 and confirming it’s coming sometime in 2023.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
The Crown
Charting the early years of the Royal Family, particularly the relationship between the Queen (Claire Foy) and Prince Philip (former Doctor Who Matt Smith), the show was written by Peter Morgan and, at £100 million for its first two seasons, is one of the most expensive TV series ever made. Which means there’s enough pomp and ceremony to keep those pining for a Downton Abbey replacement happy.
Season 3 recast the Queen as Olivia Colman and Prince Philip as Tobias Menzies, and season 4 focuses on the growing relationship between Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor) and Diana (Emma Corrin). It’s as engrossing as ever, and six seasons are planned total, with Imelda Staunton playing the Queen in its final two years. We can’t wait for The Crown season 5, which will be with us in November 2022.
Seasons on Netflix: 4
The Queen’s Gambit
This miniseries is a real treat. While the subject of chess might not sound exciting, The Queen’s Gambit manages to weave it together with a tale of self-actualization, romance, and drug abuse. Anya Taylor-Joy stars as Beth Harmon, an orphan trained to play chess by a talented janitor, before she challenges the very male-dominated chess scene with her skills. Essentially, her talents land her a slightly better life, but not without a price.
Even if you don’t really know how to play chess, these competitive scenes are exciting to watch, and Taylor-Joy does a great job of bringing to life a character whose exceptional talents hide the fact that she’s constantly grappling with addiction. Based on the novel of the same name, this adaptation counts Scott Frank as one of its co-creators, who previously made another of the best Netflix shows – the Western drama Godless.
This is a great Netflix binge watch: seven episodes is just the right number. Well worth watching, and now a genuine contender among debates surrounding the best Netflix shows ever made.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
Mindhunter
David Fincher is no stranger to Netflix, since he directed the first ever episode of House of Cards, but Mindhunter is Fincher going … well, full Fincher. It’s based on John Douglas’ book of the same name and charts the life of an FBI profiler whose job it is to track serial killers. It’s set in the ’70s and, later, the early ’80s, and sees its trifecta of lead characters interviewing famous serial killers in often tense encounters.
Fincher is extremely hands-on, too, directing four episodes of season one and three of season two. Unfortunately, season 3 is on “indefinite hold”.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
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