With a vast library of content to choose from, it’s quite easy to fall into a long cycle of scrolling when you’re on Netflix — or any streaming platform for that matter. To help you say goodbye to endless browsing, it’s good to have a list of the best Netflix shows or movies to binge-watch.
Now, the question is: just what are the best shows on Netflix?
There’s something for everyone on Netflix. Whether you’re looking for a two-hour flick to pass the time or a new series to obsess about, you’ll find a variety of local and foreign titles on the platform from all kinds of genres. Given the dizzying variety of choices, finding the right show that fits your preferences can be challenging.
We’ve rounded up 15 of the best Netflix TV shows you can watch right now. No matter what mood you’re in, we have a good show to complement it.
- The Last Dance (2020)
- Black Mirror (2011 -)
- BoJack Horseman (2014 - 2020)
- The Crown (2016 -)
- Stranger Things (2016 -)
- Sex Education (2019 -)
- Breaking Bad (2008 - 2013)
- Peaky Blinders (2013 -)
- Dark (2017-2020)
- Mindhunter (2017 -)
- Ozark (2017 -)
- Money Heist (2017 -)
- The Witcher (2019 -)
- Unorthodox (2020)
- Community (2009 - 2015)
1. The Last Dance
Genre: Documentary, Biography, History
Number of Seasons: 1
IMDb ratings: 9.2/10
Netflix’s 10-part documentary series The Last Dance is one of the most compelling sports shows on the platform. It follows the story of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Phil Jackson. It chronicles the 1997-1998 season of the Chicago Bulls, the core team’s final plays before they were expected to retire.
While it does not delve into the many controversies that Jordan was involved in back in the day, it does a great job of highlighting his world-changing career.
It has three nominations and one win. They received an Outstanding TV Documentary or Special award from Black Reel Awards for TV.
2. Black Mirror
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Number of Seasons: 5
IMDb ratings: 8.8/10
Charlie Brooker’s sci-fi anthology series, Black Mirror, delves into futuristic technologies and their potential consequences upon humanity. With each episode more suspenseful and gripping than the last, viewers will often be left wondering about what they just watched.
Black Mirror has a diverse cast, including Bryce Dallas Howard, Daniel Kaluuya, Hayley Atwell, Letitia Wright, and Miley Cyrus.
It has earned 88 nominations and 30 wins, including a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Outstanding TV Movie, and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited Series.
3. BoJack Horseman
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama
Number of Seasons: 6
IMDb ratings: 8.7/10
Bojack Horseman, an animated Netflix Original with six seasons, is a comedy series packed with satire and several hard-hitting truths about depression and life. Some of the most well-known names in TV today lend their voices to show’s characters, like Will Arnett, Aaron Paul, and Alison Brie.
Although animated, it is certainly not for children as it contains mature content ranging from drugs, sex, and alcohol.
It has received 23 accolades over the years, including two Writers Guild of America Awards and four Critics’ Choice TV Awards.
4. The Crown
Genre: Drama, History
Number of Seasons: 6
IMDb ratings: 8.7/10
Starting with Queen Elizabeth’s ascension to the British throne, The Crown takes you on a riveting journey full of romance, tragedy, and political intrigue through the years. It chronicles the life of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, delving into her personal relationships as well as her obligations as Queen.
Claire Foy portrays the younger Queen Elizabeth II in the first two seasons, while Olivia Colman portrays the monarch in the third and latest seasons.
This critically-acclaimed series has earned 158 nominations and 57 wins. Recently, they earned a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV series for the drama category.
5. Stranger Things
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Number of Seasons: 4
IMDb ratings: 8.8/10
Stranger Things is a dark science fiction series with superpowers, an ever-expanding cast, and mind-bending mysteries that seem to intensify with each season. Everything about it—the soundtrack and cinematography and special effects— is a tribute to the ‘80s. They even cast famous ‘80s actors Winona Ryder and David Harbour.
Starring Millie Bobbie Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, and Gaten Matarazzo, the show quickly earned cult status. It won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series.
6. Sex Education
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Number of Seasons: 3
IMDb ratings: 8.3/10
This series stars Asa Butterfield as Otis Milburn, a socially awkward teen navigating the world of high school, identity, sexuality, and friendship while dealing with his nosy sex-therapist mother Jean (Gillian Anderson). It is one of the best coming-of-age shows on Netflix, exploring themes such as consent, gender fluidity, rape culture, and sexual health. It offers lots of laughs, loveable characters, and relatable storylines.
Emma Mackey, Ncuti Gatwa, Aimee Lou Wood, and Connor Swindells star alongside Butterfield in the British comedy-drama series. It currently has two seasons, while the third one is slated to launch sometime in 2021.
It has received 15 nominations, while Gatwa’s performance earned the show one win for the Broadcasting Press Guild’s Breakthrough Award.
7. Breaking Bad
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Number of Seasons: 5
IMDb ratings: 9.5/10
Breaking Bad is a critically acclaimed crime drama series packed with suspense, complex characters, and well-written storylines. It centers on a harmless-looking high school chemistry teacher named Walter White (Bryan Cranston), who dives into the meth-making business when he finds himself with a cancer diagnosis.
It ran for five seasons from 2008 to 2013, earning a total of 234 nominations and 153 wins over the years. This includes a Golden Globe Award for Best TV Series in Drama and a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series.
While Cranston has earned many accolades for his portrayal of Walter White, his supporting cast is just as impressive. That includes Aaron Paul, Anna Gun, and Dean Norris.
8. Peaky Blinders
Genre: Crime, Drama
Number of Seasons: 7
IMDb ratings: 8.8/10
Following the exploits of a notorious crime family, Peaky Blinders takes you to the lawless streets of Birmingham in the 1920s, just after World War I. Crime boss Tommy Shelby, portrayed by Cillian Murphy, navigates the criminal underworld as he attempts to expand his gang’s control over the city—even if it means fighting with other crime families.
It is a deeply engrossing post-war series with stylish characters. Since its pilot episode, it has received rave reviews and BAFTA awards, one of which is for Best Drama Series. Currently, it has five seasons. Paul Anderson, Helen McCroy, Sophie Rundle, and Finn Cole star alongside Murphy in the show.
9. Dark
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Number of Seasons: 3
IMDb ratings: 8.8/10
Dark, the first Netflix Original series in German, is a brooding science fiction series with time travel and a lot of mystery. While it does have the usual sci-fi tropes, its narrative also explores philosophical questions about existence and death.
The mystery-drama has three seasons. With a rating of 8.8 on IMDb, Dark earned 19 nominations and five wins, including an Adolf Gimme Award for Best Fiction and a German TV Academy Award for Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography.
As its storyline spans decades, it has multiple versions of its characters. You’ll see them played out by young and old versions of themselves across its many timelines. Jonas Kahnwald, one of the main characters in the show, for instance, is portrayed by Louis Hofmann, Andreas Pietschmann, and Dietrich Hollinderbaumer.
10. Mindhunter
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Number of Seasons: 2
IMDb ratings: 8.6/10
Based on a true-crime book of the same title, Mindhunter focuses on the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit led by Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff), Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), and Wendy (Anna Torv). The agents are pioneering a new method of profiling which involves understanding the psychology of the most notorious serial killers.
Boasting an 8.6 IMDb rating, Mindhunter is an absolutely gripping psychological thriller with top-tier production value led by Oscar-nominated director David Fincher. Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron is also one of the executive producers behind the show.
It is in its second season, while a third one has yet to be confirmed. It has 26 nominations and four wins, including a Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Series for the drama genre.
11. Ozark
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Number of Seasons: 4
IMDb ratings: 8.4/10
Ozark is a crime drama series starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, a couple who relocates to the Missouri Ozarks as Jason’s character finds himself committing money laundering schemes for Mexican cartels. The series is packed with dark humor, unexpected deaths, well-written twists, and flashbacks that keep you on your toes.
It currently has three seasons while a fourth is in the works. It is one of the best TV shows on Netflix with multiple nominations and awards under its belt, such as a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama.
12. Money Heist
Genre: Action, Crime, Mystery
Number of Seasons: 5
IMDb ratings: 8.4/10
La Casa de Papel, also known as Money Heist, is a Spanish heist crime series with an 8.4 IMDb rating. It follows a group of eight thieves led by a criminal mastermind who goes by the name of Professor (Alvaro Morte). They carry out long-prepared heists of the Royal Mint of Spain and, later on, the Bank of Spain. You’ll be hooked before you know it by the adrenaline-fueled entertainment in each episode.
Ursula Corbero, Itziar Ituño, Alba Flores, Jaime Lorente, Pedro Alonso, Miguel Herran, Esther Acebo, Darko Peric, and Paco Tous star in the film. It has four seasons, and it’s fifth is expected to be the last.
It has received 27 nominations and won 26 of them, including the International Emmy’s Best Drama Series Award.
13. The Witcher
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Number of Seasons: 1
IMDb ratings: 8.2/10
In the fantasy drama genre, The Witcher is one of the best shows on Netflix right now. Henry Cavill stars as Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter struggling to find his place in the horrifying world of monsters and men with a fate that is tightly bound with the sorceress Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) and princess Ciri (Freya Allen). It has strong female characters, memorable songs, and a lot of bloody battles.
It currently has one season and the second one is underway. In 2019, it was nominated for Best Cinematography in a TV Drama by the British Society of Cinematographers.
14. Unorthodox
Genre: Drama
Number of Seasons: 1
IMDb ratings: 8.0/10
Inspired by Deborah Feldman’s memoir, Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots, this limited series follows the story of Esther Shapiro (Shira Hass) who flees her loveless marriage and the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn for a new life in Berlin.
It offers a rare glimpse into the lives and practices of the secretive religious sect. More importantly, it highlights the struggle and power that comes with leaving extreme faiths. If you’re looking for a short series to watch in a day, then this four-part show is a good start.
It has eight Emmy nominations, and it also won the German Television Award for Best Production and Costume Design.
15. Community
Genre: Comedy
Number of Seasons: 6
IMDb ratings: 8.5/10
Easily one of the best Netflix series to binge-watch, Community follows a quirky group of misfits attending Greendale Community College. This cult favorite is very meta in that the characters very often point out that they are on a show. It is a sitcom unlike any other with episodes that use stop-motion, G.I. Joe-style animation, and even 8-bit video game graphics.
Running for six seasons from 2009 to 2015, it starred Joel McHale, Donald Glover, Alison Brie, Yvette Nicole Brown, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Chevy Chase, and comedy heavyweight Ken Jeong.
It earned a total of four Primetime Emmy nominations over the years, winning the Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation in 2011. It also won the Critics’ Choice TV Award for Best Comedy Series in 2012.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Netflix license TV shows and movies?
Netflix needs to obtain the rights of TV shows and movies from studios to stream them on the platform. They also make original content in-house and hold exclusive streaming rights for these shows. BoJack Horseman and Stranger Things are a few examples of these Netflix originals.
Not all shows will be available for streaming worldwide, and one reason for that is the lack of streaming rights for a particular region. Netflix cannot buy TV show or movie licenses if no one is selling them in that particular region.
Using data such as the shows you’ve watched or the ratings you’ve given, Netflix is able to learn about their audience’s viewing preferences. They’ll then use these metrics to determine potential TV shows and films to acquire in the future.
How do I find out if a TV show or movie is leaving Netflix?
TV shows and movies come and go every month. To ensure you won’t miss out on the flicks that you intend to watch, Netflix will notify you.
For TV viewers, you’ll see a brief message on the top part of your screen if you click on a show that’s slated to leave Netflix soon. It will tell you until when it’ll be available on the platform. However, if you’re watching from a computer or tablet browser, you’ll only see it on the show’s details page.
On Android devices, the same notification will flash on the topmost part of the screen for a few seconds before playing the show. On Apple gadgets, it’ll pop up on the TV show’s landing page.
Why do TV shows and movies leave Netflix?
Netflix acquires the licensing rights of TV shows and movies only for a certain period of time. Titles leave the platform if Netflix decides not to renew them once the licenses expire.
Much like how they choose the titles to acquire, Netflix evaluates the shows that are up for renewal using the following criteria: availability of a streaming license, cost and popularity of a title, and seasonal or local factors.
If Netflix doesn’t renew a title, it will be removed from the platform eventually. You’ll be able to see the TV shows and movies leaving the platform every month through their website.
How can I find out about new TV shows and movies on Netflix?
Every month, Netflix adds new shows to the platform. To find out all of the titles coming to your region, you can follow Netflix’s Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram channels. You can also check out the Netflix Media Center to discover upcoming original titles.
On the streaming platform itself, you will see new titles that Netflix recommends you to watch—Top Picks For You, Trending Now, and Because You Watched to name a few.
How to watch American Netflix?
NordVPN gives you secure, encrypted access to Netflix in the US. You can securely watch the best shows on Netflix now, even if you’re connected to a public Wi-Fi. If you’re from North America, you can connect to servers from the UK, Germany, Spain, Australia, India, Japan, and more to watch region-specific shows no matter where you are. It has 5100+ servers in 59 countries.
No matter what device you use, NordVPN can keep it secure. You can connect it to up to six devices at the same time.
Even a slow internet connection won’t deter you from watching your shows. NordVPN can give you a fast streaming experience with limitless bandwidth.