Looking for the best Netflix series to stream today? You've come to the right place. In this guide, you'll find a list of some of the most wildly successful and critically-acclaimed shows on Netflix. That includes some of 2024's biggest hits, too, such as Baby Reindeer, Supacell and recent releases like The Diplomat season 2.
While this guide covers our picks for the best Netflix shows, we also have the lowdown on everything new on Netflix in November 2024 and everything leaving Netflix in November 2024 if you want to see what content is at your fingertips this month. Netflix has an array of new movies and TV shows every month, with some included in our best Netflix movies to watch in November 2024. But if you've already delved into the streaming platform's movie library, then have a look at our selection of TV shows if you fancy something new to watch.
To make things even easier, we've categorised our selection by their primary genre. If you're only searching for the best dramas on Netflix, then, you can use the navigation bar on the left side of this page to immediately jump to the kind of content you enjoy on Netflix. You're welcome. So, what are you waiting for? Read on to find your next TV obsession.
Best action series on Netflix
Vikings: Valhalla
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Age rating: 15
Seasons: 3
Runtime: ~49 minute episodes
Main cast: Sam Corlett, Frida Gustavsson, Leo Suter, Bradley Freegard, Laura Berlin, and David Oakes
Creator: Jeb Stuart
RT score: 95%
Set 100 years after events depicted in Vikings, the joint 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. Netflix's quasi-sequel doesn't reinvent much of what viewers will have previously seen. However, if you were a fan of Vikings' historical drama, regular clashing of metal, and study of character and socio-politics, it's worth checking out. And so is our season one chat with the show's cast, as well as our exclusive season two talks with showrunner Jeb Stuart and the series' main actors. Season three landed on July 11.
Titans
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 4
Runtime: ~46 minute episodes
Main cast: Brenton Thwaites, Anna Diop, Teagan Croft, and Ryan Potter
Creator: Greg Walker
RT score: 89%
A DC Extended Universe (DCEU) series that originally aired on DC Universe before transitioning to Max stateside, Titans is a gritty, Batman spin-off TV show that puts some of DC's lesser-known heroes in the spotlight. Led by Brenton Thwaites' Dick Grayson/Nightwing, Titans follows the eponymous young superhero group as they combat threats from DC supervillains and other evil-doers. Rather than simply fight crime in Gotham City and Nightwing's Bludhaven haunt, Titans takes our heroes to multiple cities, including Detroit and San Francisco. It's been largely well received for its more mature take on DC's source material, and really begins to shine once its superpowered beings start working together towards the end of season one.
The Umbrella Academy
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 3
Runtime: ~50 minute episodes
Main cast: Aidan Gallagher, Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, Robert Sheehan, David Castañeda, Justin H. Min, and Emmy Raver-Lampman
Creator: Gerard Way
RT score: 86%
Based on the comic books written by My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way and illustrated by Gabriel Bá, The Umbrella Academy is Netflix's self-developed superhero original. And it's a fantastic watch to boot. 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. The Umbrella Academy is flamboyant, dark, and gratifyingly violent: all the ingredients you need for a great superhero series. Read our review of The Umbrella Academy season two and our review of The Umbrella Academy season three before learning everything we know about The Umbrella Academy season four – the show's final season that's due out in August. While the series has been met with huge success, David Castañeda, who plays Diego Hargreeves, told TechRadar that he expected the series to be a complete failure.
Supacell
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 1
Runtime: ~52 minute episodes
Main cast: Tosin Cole, Nadine Mills, Josh Tedeku, Adelayo Adedayo, Calvin Demba, and Eric Kofi-Abrefa
Creator: Rapman
RT score: 100%
Supacell spent five weeks in Netflix's top ten most-watched shows upon its release and it certainly deserves it. The superhero series follows a group of black south Londoners who suddenly develop superpowers out of nowhere. As they grapple with the affect of their powers on their everyday lives, Michael Lasaki (Tosin Cole) goes on a mission to find the group and save his fiancé. Supacell instantly had me hooked with its refreshing take on the superhero genre as it confronts important issues such as gang violence, knife crime and sickle cell disease. To top it all off, the realistic characters, catchy soundtrack and exciting premise makes it a stand-out show that I'm happy to see added to Netflix's superpowered library. Meanwhile, if you've already delved into the world of Supacell, check out these three sci-fi shows to watch next.
Best animated series on Netflix
Arcane
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 2
Runtime: ~41 minute episodes
Main cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, Mia Sinclair Jenness, Kevin Alejandro, and Katie Leung
Creators: Christian Linke and Alex Yee
RT score: 100%
Arcane, Riot Games' TV adaptation of its hit video game franchise League of Legends (LoL), is an animated masterpiece. Set before the stories that occur in the fan-favorite MOBA, Arcane follows Vi, Jinx, Jayce, and other notable LoL individuals as they rise from outsider status to become the heroes and villains seen in Riot's popular multiplayer game. With a terrific voice cast including A-listers like Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell, a stunning art style from French studio Fortiche Productions, and a narrative that'll excite, entertain, and tug at your heartstrings, Arcane isn't just a fan-service-centric series. Diehard fans and first-timers alike will revel in its fully lived-in world and extensive character development. Arcane season two is now streaming and as revealed alongside season two's first trailer, it's the hit Netflix show's final entry.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Age rating: U
Seasons: 3 (7 if you include The Legend of Korra)
Runtime: ~24 minute episodes
Main cast: Dee Bradley Baker, Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena, and Dante Basco
Creators: Michael Dante DiMartino and Brian Konietzko
RT score: 100%
In our view, Netflix’s live-action adaptation of beloved anime Avatar: The Last Airbender (A:TLA) is a “gutsy but frustrating remake that blows hot and cold”, so you’ll want to stick to the original series instead. Michael Dante DiMartino and Brian Konietzko’s timeless classic tells the tale of Aang, the last surviving member of the Air Nomad tribe who’s also the latest reincarnation of the Avatar. The latter is an all-powerful being who can control the four elements – earth, wind, fire, and water – and who maintains equilibrium throughout the world. When that’s disrupted by the power-hungry Fire Nation, Aang embarks on a dangerous quest to rebalance the natural order. One of the best animated shows ever made that delicately explored themes often overlooked in youth entertainment, the original A:TLA series, which first aired on Nickelodeon, is must-see TV. Its sequel show The Legend of Korra is also a top-tier anime.
Blue Eye Samurai
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 1
Runtime: ~47 minute episodes
Main cast: Maya Erskine, Masi Oka, Darren Barnet, Brenda Song, George Takei, and Randall Park
Creators: Amber Noizumi and Michael Green
RT score: 96%
Another Netflix TV Original that's unmissable, Blue Eye Samurai sees Maya Erskine (Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mr and Mrs Smith) voice the character Mizu, a mixed race, vengeful blade-wielding warrior who's out for retribution in 17th century feudal Japan. I could dig into its story more, but doing so would spoil the show's finest moments. Blue Eye Samurai isn't just a gorgeous animated series to look at, mind you – it's an absorbing tale of revenge, deceit, and intra- and intergenerational trauma that shows it has the necessary substance to go alongside its beautiful visuals. An absolute treat for the senses and definitely one of the best Netflix series of recent times. Netflix confirmed Blue Eye Samurai season two was on the way last December.
BoJack Horseman
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 6
Runtime: ~26 minute episodes
Main cast: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Aaron Paul, and Paul F. Tompkins
Creator: Raphael Bob-Waksberg
RT score: 93%
BoJack Horseman is side-splittingly funny, is the best thing Will Arnett (Arrested Development, The LEGO Batman Movie) has made for a long time, and it should be a shoo-in as your next binge watch. Well, if you're into anthropomorphic comedies about washed-up TV actors, anyway. On the surface, it seems like a gimmick, but BoJack Horseman's melancholic and self-deprecating approach to depression and other mental illnesses sets this apart from its contemporaries. For anyone with concerns it'll be too sombre and/or triggering, fear not – there's plenty of slapstick humour, word play, and stunning animation to maintain some levity amid the sorrow.
Scavengers Reign
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 1
Runtime: ~25 minute episodes
Main cast: Sunita Mani, Wunmi Mosaku, Alia Shawkat, Bob Stephenson, and Ted Travelstead
Creators: Joseph Bennett and Charles Huettner
RT score: 100%
Originally released on Max in the US, this criminally under-watched show is another gorgeous looking, incredibly imaginative, and soul-crushing series that deserves many more eyes upon it. In Scavengers Reign, the crew of a damaged space freighter soon find themselves marooned on an alien world. Initially charmed by their new home, it quickly becomes apparent that said planet is not utopian. At all. I've enjoyed my fair share of animated series in recent times, including the aforementioned four – and, frankly, I'd recommend Scavengers Reign as much as any of the above quartet. An emotionally devastating watch with a deep narrative fuelled by existential horror and eye-popping imagery.
Terminator Zero
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 1
Runtime: 26–30 minutes
Main cast: Timothy Olyphant, Sonoya Mizuno, André Holland
Creator: Mattson Tomlin
RT score: 89%
As an impressive entry into the long-running Terminator franchise, this eight-part anime series is well worth your time. Set in 1997 Tokyo, a scientist is developing Kokoro, an AI system intended to compete with the now infamous Skynet. But he soon finds himself in trouble when a robot assassin and a mysterious soldier arrives from 2022 to protect him. Terminator Zero is a welcome entry to the beloved series, possibly because the creator assured us it was a "faithful adaptation". Decide for yourself, but I think it's pretty solid.
Best comedy series on Netflix
Beef
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 1
Runtime: ~35 minute episodes
Main cast: Ali Wong, Steven Yeun, David Choe, Young Mazino, Joseph Lee, and Patti Yasutake
Creator: Lee Sung Jin
RT score: 98%
This surprisingly epic comedy-drama sees Steven Yeun (Invincible, The Walking Dead) and Ali Wong (Paper Girls) play Danny and Amy, stranger whose lives are up-ended when they get involved in a heated driving spat. Instead of settling their feud amicably, the duo raise the stakes in hilarious, shocking, and tension-fuelled fashion. What's born of their initial run-in is a seemingly escalating squabble that threatens to completely destabilize their own lives, as well as anyone caught in their orbit. I don't want to sound hyperbolic, but Beef is one of the best Netflix series I've ever seen. Its edgy and adult comedy, outlandish set-pieces, and stunning impactful story have been weaved together to create a TV colossus. Be sure to watch these five vengeful thrillers after you've watched Beef and then read our report on who might be set to star in Beef season two.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Age rating: PG
Seasons: 8
Runtime: ~22 minute episodes
Main cast: Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero, Joe Lo Truglio, Chelsea Peretti, Andre Braugher, Dirk Blocker, and Joel McKinnon Miller
Creators: Dan Goor and Michael Schur
RT score: 95%
Nobody likes a TV show's popularity to grow once more in the wake of one of its stars passing away, but Andre Braugher's untimely passing in late 2023 revived Brooklyn Nine-Nine's fortunes on multiple streamers. It primarily follows the childish but clever NYPD detective Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) who, alongside the Nine-Nine's other eclectic characters, creates a laugh-a-minute sitcom, with deadpan jokes, slapstick comedy, and the odd emotional pull galore. In our minds, it's the closest thing to a joke-generation, easy-to-watch NBC comedies like The Office and 30 Rock From the Sun. Each season comprises 20-plus episodes with runtimes below 30 minutes, so there's no excuse not to stick it on in the background and revel in its intelligent stupidity. One of the best series that Netflix has licensed.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 16
Runtime: ~22 minute episodes
Main cast: Charlie Day, Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, Danny DeVito, and Kaitlin Olson
Creator: Rob McElhenney
RT score: 94%
Initially made on a shoestring budget, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia's first season had a cult following, a kind of modern version of Seinfeld about an amoral group of friends who run a bar together. Then season two brought some big star power, with Danny DeVito joining for a 10-episode run that was extended because he loved it so much. The antics of Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Mac (Rob McElhenney), Charlie (Charlie Kelly), and Sweet Dee (Kaitlin Olson) won't be for everyone – at its darkest the show's 'comedy' themes range from nazism to drug abuse – but stick with it and this deliciously depraved classic will reward you.
- Watch It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia on Netflix now
- Watch It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's trailer on YouTube
Russian Doll
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 2
Runtime: ~28 minute episodes
Main cast: Natasha Lyonne, Greta Lee, Yul Vazquez, Elizabeth Ashley, Charlie Barnett, and Chloë Sevigny
Creators: Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, and Amy Poehler
RT score: 97%
A trippy, Groundhog Day-style dark comedy, Russian Doll stars Natasha Lyonne (Orange Is The New Black, Poker Face) as Nadia, a wisecracking New Yorker who keeps dying and reliving her 36th birthday party in a never-ending time loop. Buoyed by Leslye Headland's creative spark, Russian Doll switches rapidly between witty hilarity and heart-wrenching sadness. The fact that it explores existential and philosophical topics, including what it means to be alive, through a sci-fi lens only adds to its laugh-out-loud and brain-scratching spectacle. One of the best Netflix series, from a first-party viewpoint, to date.
Sex Education
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 4
Runtime: ~54 minute episodes
Main cast: Asa Butterfield, Emma Mackey, Ncuti Gatwa, Gillian Anderson, Connor Swindells, and Aimee Lou Wood
Creator: Laurie Nunn
RT score: 94%
Set in picturesque rural Britain, Sex Education delivers a young adult (YA) show that's as raunchy as it is diverse and progressive. In it, the students, faculty, and parents of Moordale Secondary School as they navigate the turbulent waters of sexuality, with its younger cast members confronting the onset of puberty and the adults forced to contend with how said tutees are changing before their eyes. With equilibriously touching character evolution and it informative approach to LGBTQ-plus matters, gendered power structures, and family dynamics, Sex Education is a blast from start to finish. Gillian Anderson and Asa Butterfield are among its main characters, but new Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa, among others, steal the spotlight from their more illustrious peers.
The Office (US)
Age rating: PG
Seasons: 9
Runtime: ~24 minute episodes
Main cast: Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, and B.J. Novak
Creators: Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant
RT score: 81%
The US version of The Office is built on the bones of the UK original, but it spins off in entirely different directions almost straight away, and is definitely less emotionally challenging to re-watch. With 20-minute episodes, compelling season-long arcs, and memorable characters, you can easily lose an entire weekend to watching The Office on repeat. Later seasons aren't nearly as strong as the ones starring Steve Carell, but you've got well over 100 must-see episodes to watch here.
Best drama series on Netflix
Better Call Saul
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 6
Runtime: ~50 minute episodes
Main cast: Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, Patrick Fabian, and Michael Mando
Creator: George Vincent Gilligan Jr.
RT score: 98%
Breaking Bad is one of the best crime shows of its generation, but there's an argument to be made that Better Call Saul, a pre-sequel that explores the murky backstory of garishly-dressed attorney Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman, is just as good if not better. Following Jimmy's descent into the criminal, drug-infested circles of Albuquerque, Better Call Saul is surprisingly engaging, while its less-than-well-meaning cast of characters are as equally unpredictable and absorbing as Breaking Bad's line-up. A slower burn than its contemporary, sure, but a nonetheless wildly entertaining and thrilling one.
Breaking Bad
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 5
Runtime: ~47 minute episodes
Main cast: Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, and RJ Mitte
Creator: George Vincent Gilligan Jr.
RT score: 96%
I alluded to it above, but Breaking Bad is a masterful piece of television that fans of the small screen have to watch once at the very least. Walter White's journey from insipid chemistry tutor-cum-cancer patient to a cold and calculating drug lord is enough of a hook to draw you in, but it's the show's other major players (and how they're personally impacted by Walter's increasingly unhinged state) who help turned Breaking Bad into a stone-cold classic. The gullible and quotable Jesse Pinkman is a heart-breaking delight, Skyler White will infuriate and beguile you, and Gus Fring will make you wonder if your favourite chicken shop really is a front to a criminal empire. A multi-award-winning show that deserves its spot on our best Netflix series list.
Ozark
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 4
Runtime: ~60 minute episodes
Main cast: Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Julia Garner, Sofia Hublitz, and Skylar Gaertner
Creator: Bill Dubuque
RT score: 82%
A Breaking Bad-style crime thriller, Ozark was pretty popular series without being a breakout Netflix hit. Overnight, that changed with the arrival of its third season, which surprisingly supercharged interest in its family-first storytelling approach. Jason Bateman is its main star and he plays Marty Byrde, a financial advisor whose wife and kids get pulled into his fraudulent dealings out in the Missouri Ozarks. Laura Linney plays his significant other Wendy, who becomes the show's most compelling and evolved characters throughout its four-season run. It's unsettling at times, but I couldn't not include it in our best Netflix series guide.
Peaky Blinders
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 6
Runtime: ~58 minute episodes
Main cast: Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Anabelle Wallis, Joe Cole, Sophie Rundle, and Alfie Evans-Meese
Creator: Steven Knight
RT score: 93%
Loosely based on the real-life titular gang that menacingly patrolled the UK's streets in the late 19th and early 20th century, this show largely follows the exploits of Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), the ambitious and cunning leader of the Shelby family. Peaky Blinders 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. A Peaky Blinders movie is currently in production, so we won't be saying goodbye to Tommy and the gang just yet.
Cobra Kai
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 6
Runtime: ~34 minute episodes
Main cast: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Maridueña, Tanner Buchanan, and Mary Mouser
Creators: Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg
RT score: 92%
A YouTube original that was acquired by Netflix after two seasons, this Karate Kid continuation TV show has become a streaming mainstay on many fans' watchlists. Set 34 years after Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) was defeated by Danny LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Cobra Kai sees the former opens the titular dojo once more to teach a new generation of kids how to fight and/or defend themselves from harm. The reopening of the dojo catches the attention of Danny, reviving the pair's rivalry upon which the series' overarching narrative is built. Fans of The Karate Kid will revel in the pair duking it out once more, while newcomers will find a show as engrossing, action-packed, and drama-fuelled as any other on Netflix. One of the best Netflix series around that you'll need to catch up on before Cobra Kai season six brings the entire show to an end.
The Lincoln Lawyer
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 2
Runtime: ~49 minute episodes
Main cast: Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Neve Campbell, Becki Newton, Jazz Raycole, Angus Sampson, and Christopher Gorham
Creator: David E. Kelley
RT score: 85%
Based on Michael Connolly's underappreciated novels, The Lincoln Lawyer tells the story of Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Ruffalo), a defence attorney and recovering drug addict who tackles L.A-based criminal cases from the back of his Lincoln Town car. Released to little fanfare in mid-2022, The Lincoln Lawyer's popularity exploded overnight and ended up being one of the best Netflix series of 2023. Indeed, it was the second most-watched show on the streamer three days after its initial release; a show that managed to its own against the sheer might of Stranger Things season four volume one. Just like its protagonist, then, The Lincoln Lawyer was something of an underdog before it achieved its undeniable success. The Lincoln Lawyer season three is currently in active development.
Suits
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 9
Runtime: ~44 minute episodes
Main cast: Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Rick Hoffman, Sarah Rafferty, and Meghan Markle
Creator: Aaron Korsh
RT score: 91%
A show that earned a remarkable new lease of life on Netflix following its June 2023 arrival, Suits became such a huge hit for Netflix that its success vexed its writers. Indeed, they weren't happy to see Suits continually break records on Netflix and Peacock during last year's Hollywood writers strike, but we suspect their mood has changed, now that they'll earn more money from streaming residuals. But we digress. Suits' storming success was mostly down to millions of TikTok users sharing clips online, but it was also aided to the fact that Suits is just a solid show. The Patrick K. Adams and Meghan Markle-fronted production has enough courtroom (legal dramas are always popular on Netflix) and relationship drama to be engaging.
The Crown
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 6
Runtime: ~55 minute episodes
Main cast: Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Vanessa Kirby, Olivia Colman, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, Emma Corrin, Elizabeth Debicki, Lesley Manville, and Helena Bonham Carter
Creator: Peter Morgan
RT score: 81%
The talk of the town for many a year before it ended in late 2023, The Crown puts a melodramatic spin on the British Royal Family's history throughout the late Queen Elizabeth II's seven-decade reign. At the time, it was one of the most expensive TV series ever made and, while it's no Downton Abbey, the heightened level of theatrics was ample enough to keep millions engaged. A controversial series for many reasons – not least its final two seasons, which seemingly exaggerated the breakdown in relations within the British Royals amid the whirlwind of press that enveloped Princess Diana – The Crown was still a smash hit and is electrifying enough to warrant a place on our best Netflix series list.
The Queen's Gambit
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 1
Runtime: ~56 minute episodes
Main cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Camp, Harry Melling, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Marielle Heller, and Moses Ingram
Creators: Scott Frank and Allan Scott
RT score: 96%
The subject of chess might not sound like a money-spinning idea that'll draw in viewers, but The Queen's Gambit proved that, with its prodigious tale of romance, drug addiction, and gender discrimination, it can be as astonishing as any other drama. Anya Taylor-Joy (The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) plays Beth Harmon, the series' protagonist and an orphan trained to play chess by a talented janitor. After honing her skills, she enters the male-dominated chess world with the view to knocking its stuffy and egotistical players off their proverbial perches. You don't need to know the ins and outs of chess to appreciate such a show – indeed, The Queen's Gambit's competitive scenes are riveting without being overly complex. Taylor-Joy does a stellar job of giving life to someone whose undeniable talents mask her drug dependency, too.
Top Boy
Age rating: M
Seasons: 5
Runtime: ~48 minute episodes
Main cast: Ashley Walters, Kano, Jasmine Jobson, Little Simz
Creator: Ronan Bennett
RT score: 97%
Top Boy is one of the best crime dramas I've seen in a while. Often described as the British version of The Wire, the original Channel 4 series has built up a loyal following since being rebooted by Netflix. Its portrayal of the gritty underbelly of a fictionalized north London estate has attracted several awards, despite sometimes being an uncomfortable watch. The series follows two main characters Dushane (Ashley Walters) and Sully (Kane Robinson), who are childhood best friends turned drug dealers, as they defend their crew, make alliances and rival each other. There are five seasons in total to stream (the first two seasons are called Top Boy: Summerhouse on Netflix) and while the fifth installment was confirmed to be the end of Top Boy, Netflix has said that it is in in talks to make more Top Boy spinoff series.
• Watch Tob Boy on Netflix now
• Watch Top Boy season 1 trailer
Best fantasy series on Netflix
One Piece
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 1
Runtime: ~56 minute episodes
Main cast: Iñaki Godoy, Emily Rudd, Mackenyu, Jacob Romero Gibson, Taz Skylar, Vincent Regan, Jeff Ward, and Morgan Davies
Creator: Eiichiro Oda
RT score: 85%
Netflix's live-action adaptation of One Piece, aka Eiichiro Oda's massively popular manga (it's also been turned into an animated show), is a lot better than we thought it would be. Indeed, you only need to look at how successful it's been among general viewers to realize how pleasingly authentic and fun it actually is. In it, we watch protagonist Monkey D Luffy embarks on a quest (with his assembled crew of misfits) to search for a mysterious, legendary item that'll help him realize his dream of becoming King of the Pirates. With tons of sea-faring combat, quips aplenty, and plenty of awe-inspiring world-building, Netflix's take on one of the best anime ever made should be treasured. Given its popularity, Netflix didn't take long to greenlight One Piece season two.
The Sandman
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 1
Runtime: ~49 minute episodes
Main cast: Tom Sturridge, Boyd Holbrook, Vivienne Acheampong, and Patton Oswalt
Creator: Neil Gaiman
RT score: 88%
The Sandman is a near-perfect example of how studios should approach adaptations of iconic comic book series – or any literary works, for that matter. Largely inspired by its source material, aka Neil Gaiman's iconic dark fantasy works, The Sandman follows Morpheus (Tom Sturridge), aka Dream/the titular Sandman who is also one of the of seven immortal beings known as the Endless and the ruler of the Dream Dimension. Season one sees Morpheus journey to retrieve his all-powerful items and rebuild his kingdom after he spends a century imprisoned by cultists on Earth. The Sandman's story might sound pretty straightforward, but it's not. A multi-narrative tapestry that's packed with melodrama, fascinating characters, imbued with horror, and universal themes, it's a towering achievement. The Sandman season two is in development – but, before it arrives, be sure to read our review of The Sandman season one.
The Witcher
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 3 (4 including The Witcher: Blood Origin)
Runtime: ~57 minute episodes
Main cast: Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, and Eamon Farren
Creator: Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
RT score: 80%
Based on Andrzej Sapkowski's best-selling The Witcher books, Netflix's live-action retelling of The Witcher stars Henry Cavill (well, up until season four) as the monster hunter Geralt of Rivia, who gets pulled into a story concerning the entire universe's existence by fate. The Witcher isn't as fantastically spectacular as similar genre fare, such as Game of Thrones, but it's not a complete wash out. It's still pretty enjoyable, occasionally funny, action-packed and dramatic, although it's not as epic or thrilling as it could potentially be. Read our review of The Witcher season two, review of The Witcher season three to find out more about why that's the case, and follow up that reading with our Witcher season three ending explainer to see what might happen in The Witcher season four. A spin-off series (Blood Origin) and a prequel film (The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf) are also available to stream. Read our Blood Origin review to see what we thought of it.
The Last Kingdom
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 5
Runtime: ~55 minute episodes
Main cast: Alexander Dreymon, Tobias Santelmann, and Emily Cox
Creator: Stephen Butchard
RT score: 91%
Based on Bernard Cornwell's The Saxon Stories book series, The Last Kingdom is a bloody, fictional take on the, well, British Saxon era. It largely follows Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon), but The Last Kingdom's stacked cast of characters reads like a historical who's who. Just try not to get attached to anyone, in case they end up dying. Overall, The Last Kingdom is a bloody great watch. It's visually arresting, packed with magnificent action sequences, multidimensional characters who you'll love (and love to hate), and highly satisfying historical drama for you to lap up through its five-season run. A feature-length film, Seven Kings Must Die, wrapped the series up in April 2023.
Best horror series on Netflix
The Fall of the House of Usher
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 1
Runtime: ~62 minute episodes
Main cast: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Mary McDonnell, Kate Siegel, Henry Thomas, Mark Hamill, and Rahul Kohli
Creator: Mike Flanagan
RT score: 90%
Horror icon Mike Flanagan bows out on Netflix – he signed a first-look TV deal with Amazon MGM Studios late last year – with The Fall of the House of Usher, a gothic horror series that critics have labelled his best work yet. Based on Edgar Allen Poe's legendary short story of the same name, The Fall of the House of Usher follows the titular family – led by corrupt pharmaceutical CEO Roderick Usher – as they start getting unceremoniously murdered by a mysterious entity. Long-time Flanagan collaborators including Carla Gugino and Rahul Kohli, plus Star Wars legend Mark Hamill, are among its starry cast. Critics have called it a cinematic masterpiece, while we couldn't help but draw horror-tinged parallels between it and hit Max show Succession. Scare yourself silly with this one ASAP.
- Watch The Fall of the House of Usher on Netflix now
- Watch The Fall of the House of Usher trailer on YouTube
Midnight Mass
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 1
Runtime: ~64 minute episodes
Main cast: Zach Gilford, Kate Siegel, Hamish Linklater, Samantha Sloyan, Rahul Kohli, Kristin Lehman, and Henry Thomas
Creator: Mike Flanagan
RT score: 87%
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 watching. 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.
The Haunting of Hill House
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 1
Runtime: ~58 minute episodes
Main cast: Carla Gugino, Victoria Pedretti, Kate Siegel, Michiel Huisman, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Elizabeth Reaser, and Timothy Hutton
Creator: Mike Flanagan
RT score: 93%
I would like to add another addition from the horror mastermind that is Mike Flanagan with my pick of The Haunting of Hill House. Fun fact: after I watched this series, I went to bed with my bedside light on for months, partly because it is terrifying and partly because I'm a scaredy cat. Horror isn't the genre I go for when I'm looking for something to watch, but The Haunting of Hill House is a series that I still think about to this day with it's chilling supernatural beings, memorable jump scares and well-rounded characters (it's also where my love for actress Victoria Pedretti stemmed from). The Haunting of Hill House follows five fractured siblings whose paranormal experiences at their childhood home Hill House continue to haunt them as adults, with flashbacks revealing the events that led up to the tragic night when the family fled their former home. Not only is it truly scary, but it also touches upon the very-real issues of addiction, mental health and grief as they grapple with the trauma they experienced. Flanagan's second addition to The Haunting anthology series The Haunting of Bly Manor also sets the bar high when it comes to modern horrors.
Stranger Things
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 4
Runtime: ~61 minute episodes
Main cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, Gaten Matarazzo, David Harbour, and Winona Ryder
Creator: The Duffer Brothers
RT score: 91%
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. Filming on Stranger Things season five, which is set to be the final installment in the main show, began in January. It's one of the best Netflix series ever and, once you're hooked, I'm sure you'll agree. Be sure to read our review of Stranger Things season four once you've seen the first three.
Best reality series on Netflix
Queer Eye
Age rating: 12
Seasons: 8 (11 if you count the spin-offs in Germany, Brazil, and Japan)
Runtime: ~48 minute episodes
Main cast: Antoni Porowski, Bobby Berk, Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, and Tan France
Creator: David Collins
RT score: 93%
Few reality TV shows have been as influential in recent years as the eponymous Queer Eye. In the show, the so-called 'Fab Five' – Tan France, Antoni Porowski, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, and Jonathan Van Ness – spend a week of their lives applying their various skills and expertise to help someone improve their life and achieve greater satisfaction in the process. With a strong focus on earnestness and style, plus its strong representation of the LGBT community and people of colour, Queer Eye has had a huge impact on the cultural and socio-political landscape. It can feel a tad formulaic at times, sure, but there's a reason why it's endured where so many other reality shows have faltered: it's just really good television.
Next in Fashion
Age rating: 12
Seasons: 2
Runtime: ~48 minute episodes
Main cast: Tan France, Alexa Chung, and Gigi Hadid
RT score: 85%
As a reality TV junkie, one reality show that constantly had me wowed with amazing talent is Next in Fashion, where aspiring designers create show-stopping looks to impress expert judges and win a career-changing prize. The first season was hosted by Tan France and model-turned-fashion designer Alexa Chung, with supermodel Gigi Hadid taking over hosting duties for Chung in season two. I was hypnotised by the designers' unreal fashion skills and their ability to create something extraordinary out of the ordinary. Even if you're not into fashion, this series will have you hooked on wanting to know who will become the next big thing in fashion.
Best romance series on Netflix
Bridgerton
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 3 (4 with the Queen Charlotte spin-off)
Runtime: ~60 minute episodes
Main cast: Adjoa Andoh, Jonathan Bailey, Nicola Coughlan, Ruth Gemmell, Phoebe Dynevor, Simone Ashley, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Golda Rosheuvel, and Luke Thompson
Creator: Chris Van Dusen
RT score: 84%
A smash hit that earned many viewers' *ahem* royal seal of approval, Bridgerton is a daring and sexually-charged period drama that takes inspiration from Julia Quinn's romantic book series of the same name. Each season features a new cast of nobles who traverse the upper class rituals of masquerades, marital engagements, and the odd (okay, many) surprise revelation in 18th century London. For the most part, Bridgerton is a steamingly fun, with intense screenwriting, costumes, and backdrops bursting with colour. It helps that its soundtrack is bolstered by covers of Taylor Swift or Ariana Grande's songs, too, which get runouts on a wide-ranging number of musical instruments. There's the odd blot on its paper in the form of less welcome sequences, such as an episode containing a sexual assault scene. Aside from the justifiable discourse this created, though, Bridgerton deserves a spot on our best Netflix shows list.
Heartstopper
Age rating: 12
Seasons: 2
Runtime: ~31 minute episodes
Main cast: Kit Connor, Joe Locke, William Gao, and Yasmin Finney
Creator: Alice Oseman
RT score: 98%
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 series. 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 immense popularity, it seems that Heartstopper is worth the hype. Good job a third season will land on October 3.
One Day
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 1
Runtime: ~29 minute episodes
Main cast: Ambika Mod, Leo Woodall, Eleanor Tomlinson, Jonny Weldon, Amber Grappy, Essie Davis, and Tim McInnerny
Creator: Nicole Taylor
RT score: 91%
Netflix's One Day crushed my heart into a thousand pieces and I haven't been the same since. An adaptation of David Nicholls’ romance novel of the same name, it follows the 20-year relationship of Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall), who meet at their graduation ball. The duo go their separate ways, but continue to meet each other at key moments throughout their lives. It's an emotionally striking and intimate story about the impact people can have throughout our lives, as Emma so perfectly puts: "How it is that someone can go from being a total stranger, to being the most important person in your life?" One Day is a realistic, amusing, and heartbreaking tale about love that has made an ever-lasting mark on me. It's one of the best Netflix shows of the year so far and I definitely need to re-watch it to experience the roller-coaster of emotions all over again. (P.S. the soundtrack will have you crying for days).
Nobody Wants This
Age rating: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Runtime: ~25 minute episodes
Main cast: Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, Justine Lupe
Creator: Erin Foster
RT score: 94%
I love nothing more than being able to plonk myself in front of the TV with an easy breezy series that doesn't require me to keep track of which dimension I'm in and Nobody Wants This is prime carefree viewing for exactly those scenarios. The plot is a familiar rom-com setup: two people from different backgrounds fall in love, breaking traditions and expectations along the way. In this case, it's a rabbi and agnostic podcaster played by Adam Brody and Kristen Bell. The series has become an instant hit on Netflix, taking the second most-watched spot for a show in the week ending September 29, and has a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from the critics, with many praising it for being light-hearted and funny. TechRadar's very own entertainment writer Grace Morris even said that it is "one of the best rom-coms I've seen in a while". Don't listen to the show's title, this is very much a worthy binge to want to watch.
Best sci-fi series on Netflix
Black Mirror
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 6 (plus an interactive special called Bandersnatch)
Runtime: ~59 minute episodes
Main cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Hayley Atwell, Aaron Paul, and Salma Hayek
Creator: Charlie Brooker
RT score: 83%
Charlie Brooker's seminal sci-fi series Black Mirror has been making us feel incredibly uneasy since its initial Channel 4 debut in 2011. The anthology show, whose episodes are set in numerous near-future dystopian landscapes, feels like a natural successor to The Twilight Zone, with its unsettling and prescient exploration of technology, important socio-political issues, deep themes, and starry ensemble casts. A marvellous series made up of stories that'll occupy your mind for days – 'San Junipero', 'Nosedive', and 'USS Callister' are three of my favourites – Black Mirror is a must-watch for any sci-fi fan. Black Mirror season seven was confirmed in November 2023 and it'll be on Netflix far earlier than you think.
Sweet Tooth
Age rating: 12
Seasons: 3
Runtime: ~50 minute episodes
Main cast: Nonso Anozie, Christian Convery, Adeel Akhtar, and Stefania LaVie Owen
Creator: Jeff Lemire
RT score: 92%
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 seasons two and three have performed just as admirably as the first. A sci-fi show with tons of heart and a surprisingly dark tale at its heart, this is one I can heartily recommend to genre fans.
Best thriller series on Netflix
The Diplomat
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 2
Runtime: ~44–56 minutes
Main cast: Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear
Creator: Debora Cahn
RT score: 89%
If you love political thrillers, you need to watch The Diplomat, especially now season 2 is streaming. If you're waiting on the second season, you'll know that the teaser trailer cleared up an important question but if you're new to the series, then steer clear of my news article to avoid spoilers. Here, we follow a career diplomat who juggles her high-profile job as ambassador to the United Kingdom and her turbulent marriage to a political star, so her life is anything but quiet. If you want governmental drama, get this on your watchlist ASAP.
Squid Game
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 1
Runtime: ~55 minute episodes
Main cast: Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-joon, Jung Ho-yeon, O Yeong-su, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi, and Kim Joo-ryoung
Creator: Hwang Dong-hyuk
RT score: 95%
A series that broke all kinds of records that even Stranger Things couldn't beat, Squid Game is Netflix's biggest ever TV hit. That's a feat all the impressive when you consider creator Hwang Dong-hyuk struggled to sell his idea for years before he was given a chance to bring it to the masses on the streaming giant. A spin on cult classic film Battle Royale (it also influenced The Hunger Games), Squid Game follows 456 contestants who are convinced to fight it out, via numerous child-friendly games with life-threatening twists, for a $4.56 million prize. It's a concept that plays on the trope of class division as a catalyst for violence, albeit one viewed through a satirical lens, which certainly helped to catapult it to the very top of the TV charts. Given its unparalleled success, it'll come as no surprise to learn that Squid Game season two is out on December 26 and the final series is set to premiere in 2025. Ironically, a satirical series (from Dong-hyuk) about the show's actual development is also in development. Lastly, Squid Game: The Challenge, a real-world adaptation of the show, also debuted in November 2023 and proved popular enough to warrant a second season of its own.
Money Heist
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 3 (divided into five parts), plus two spin-offs in Korea and Berlin
Runtime: ~50 minute episodes
Main cast: Álvaro Morte, Úrsula Corberó, Itziar Ituño, Pedro Alonso, Miguel Herrán, Jaime Lorente, Alba Flores, and Esther Acebo
RT score: 94%
Silly name notwithstanding, Money Heist (La Casa del Papel in Spanish-speaking countries) is a captivating, balls-to-the-wall heist drama about criminals who, under the watchful eye of the so-called Professor, make plans to rob Spain's biggest bank. Full of dense characterization, unexpected twists, and career-defining performances, Money Heist is a subversive TV show that'll force you to watch another episode (okay, maybe three more) before you finally succumb to your sleep-heavy eyelids. If you want a more authentic experience, I suggest enabling the subtitles for this one.
Baby Reindeer
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 1
Runtime: ~33 minute episodes
Main cast: Richard Gadd, Jessica Gunning, Nava Mau, and Tom Goodman-Hill
RT score: 98%
Netflix’s biggest TV hit of 2024, Baby Reindeer arrived to little fanfare in mid-April but quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Supposedly inspired by true events that saw comedian-actor Richard Gadd stalked by an unnamed individual for years, the autobiographical dark comedy-thriller stars Gadd as Donny Dunn, a struggling comedian who becomes the object of a deeply unsettling obsession of a woman named Martha (Jessica Gunning). An emotionally punishing watch led by stunning performances from Gadd and Gunning, Baby Reindeer tackles very uncomfortable themes through its engrossing but disturbing plot. It’s not been without its controversies, though, with amateur internet sleuths determining the identity of Gadd’s stalker in the weeks after its initial release. That's led to an increasingly tense situation (one played out in public) that, according to the BBC, has seen Gadd’s alleged stalker sue Netflix for defamation, privacy violations, and negligence.
Lupin
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 3
Runtime: ~46 minute episodes
Main cast: Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Antoine Gouy, Soufiane Guerrab, Shirine Boutella, and Etan Simon
RT score: 98%
Lupin might make you think of a million anime movies, and this French series literally uses thief character Arsène Lupin as a point of inspiration for its protagonist. Omar Sy plays Assane Diop, the son of a Senegalese immigrant who was wrongly imprisoned for theft, at the behest of his powerful employer. Decades after his father commits suicide, Assane plots revenge on the employer's family, using 'gentleman thief' skills inspired by the Lupin character. The Incredible Hulk director Louis Leterrier is behind this series.
Ripley
Age rating: 15
Seasons: 1
Runtime: ~56 minute episodes
Main cast: Andrew Scott, Dakota Fanning, Johnny Flynn, Eliot Sumner, Margherita Buy, and Maurizio Lombardi
RT score: 86%
A stylish remake of Patricia Highsmith's 1955 neo-noir crime novel The Talented Mr. Ripley, which was also turned into a Matt Damon-starring 1999 film, Netflix's Ripley is a sumptuously constructed reimagining that makes full use of Andrew Scott's incredible talents. The aforementioned star plays the titular character, aka Tom Ripley a down-on-his-luck grifter who's employed by a wealthy man to track down and convince his son to return home. Little does the show's protagonist know, however, that this is the start of his new crime-riddled life. As the above trailer shows, Scott oozes menacing charm in Ripley; a series drenched in visually appealing and opulently monochromatic hues that comes packaged with a captivating tale of deceit, murder, and unsettling entertainment. Stick it on your best Netflix series watchlist now.
You
Age rating: 18
Seasons: 4
Runtime: ~48 minute episodes
Main cast: Penn Badgley, Elizabeth Lail, Victoria Pedretti, Tati Gabrielle, and Charlotte Ritchie
RT score: 92%
You tells the story of Joe Goldberg, a New York bookstore manager who becomes infatuated with aspiring writer Guinevere Beck. What ensues is a toxic behavioral journey where Goldberg removes any obstacle in his way in his pursuit of Beck – a chase that winds up turning Goldberg into a city-jumping, identity-changing individual who constantly tries to escape his past, only to find himself falling into old habits. 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, despite focusing on a character that's so toxic on paper, it manages to keep you engaged with every beat. The question I need to know now is: will Joe finally be exposed in You season five?!
How we choose the best Netflix shows
To earn a place on our best Netflix shows list, each series doesn't have to be a huge hit on the world's best streaming service (i.e. one of the most-streamed movies in the platform's entire history). However, the show needs to have an 80% critics score or higher on Rotten Tomatoes (RT) and be recommended by a member of the TechRadar streaming team.
Matthew Bolton, Amelia Schwanke, Tom Power, Lucy Buglass and Grace Morris make up our team of dedicated writers, who all write and watch movies every day. The team all have varying tastes and different views on what makes a good show, which helps create this well thought-out list that covers a broad range of genres and sub-genres, such as supernatural horrors, romantic dramas, and superhero action-adventures.
We use this criteria along with our cinephile expertise to help choose which series are the best Netflix shows. There's a huge selection of shows to watch in Netflix's library, which changes every month with new arrivals and removals. So while this isn't a comprehensive list, check back in with us every month to see which shows we've added.
For more Netflix coverage, read our best Netflix documentaries and best Netflix shows guides. Yet to subscribe to the streaming giant? Read our guide on how to sign up to Netflix, too. Or, you're fed up of the recent price hikes, see whether you should cancel Netflix instead.
