Netflix produces an impressive array of original series, from cyberpunk to gripping dramas and everything in between. There is something for everyone. In this article, we’ll explore 21 of the best Netflix original series.
Our Planet (2019-2023)
Our Planet is a nature documentary series featuring stunning cinematography and narration by Sir David Attenborough. It explores Earth’s diverse ecosystems, highlighting the urgent environmental challenges they face due to human activity. The series addresses issues such as extinction threats, climate change, and habitat loss.
Arcane (2021-)
Arcane is a visually stunning animated show set in the universe of the popular video game League of Legends. Piltover and Zaun are contrasting cities divided by poverty and a cruel class structure. Through the eyes of iconic characters like Jinx and Vi, Arcane explores themes of power, family, and betrayal.
The Last Dance (2020)
The Last Dance is a sports documentary miniseries that chronicles the career of basketball icon Michael Jordan and the legendary Chicago Bulls team of the 1990s. The series explores the triumphs, struggles, and controversies that defined Jordan’s career through archival footage and exclusive interviews.
Narcos (2015-2017)
This gripping crime drama follows the rise and fall of notorious drug kingpins in Colombia, primarily Pablo Escobar and the Cali Cartel. With its intense performances, clever narrative, and gritty portrayal of the war on drugs, Narcos explores the power, corruption, and human cost of the narcotics trade.
When They See Us (2019)
This Netflix miniseries, created by Ava DuVernay, is a powerful and dynamic portrayal of the true story of the Central Park Five. The series follows the lives of five black and Latino teenagers wrongfully convicted of a brutal assault in Central Park in 1989. Over four episodes, the show reveals the racial injustice, coercion, and systemic failures that led to their wrongful convictions and subsequent dismissal. When They See Us is a story about resilience in the face of terrible injustice.
Stranger Things (2016-2025)
Stranger Things needs little introduction, as it’s one of the most popular shows in the world right now. Created by the Duffer Brothers, it is a nostalgic blend of supernatural mystery and coming-of-age drama set in the 1980s. The series follows Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), a young girl with supernatural powers, and her group of friends as they encounter otherworldly creatures and government conspiracies. Stranger Things has become a cultural phenomenon and is a must-watch for sci-fi and horror fans.
Dark (2017-2020)
Dark is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller set in the small German town of Winden. The series follows multiple families as they come to terms with a sudden spate of missing children and a sinister truth spanning generations. Exploring determinism, free will, and time travel, Dark is both thought-provoking and haunting.
The Crown (2016-2023)
This fictionalized glimpse into the lives of the British Royal Family chronicles Queen Elizabeth II’s reign over several decades. The production is lavish and detailed, with impressive performances that intimately portray the personal and political struggles within the royal household. Needless to say, the actual royals are not overly keen.
Mindhunter (2017-2019)
Mindhunter explores the origins of modern criminal psychology and profiling. Set in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the show follows FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they interview imprisoned serial killers to understand their motivations and behaviors. Based on real people and events, the show explores the complexities of the criminal mind.
Daredevil (2015-2018)
Daredevil brings the iconic Marvel character to life in a gritty and dark adaptation. Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer with enhanced senses, fights crime in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, both in and out of the courtroom. As Daredevil, he battles against powerful criminals, including his arch-nemesis Kingpin.
With its intense action sequences, complex characters, and moral dilemmas, Daredevil explores themes of justice, redemption, and the cost of vigilantism. The series received widespread praise for its storytelling, choreography, and Charlie Cox’s portrayal of the titular hero.
The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
This chilling and atmospheric horror drama based on Shirley Jackson’s novel follows the story of the Crain family, who confront their traumatic past and the sinister events that occurred in the haunted Hill House. Through a dual narrative structure, the series shifts between their experiences as children living in the house and their adult lives, haunted by its lingering effects.
Ozark (2017-2022)
Financial planner Marty Byrde relocates his family to the Ozarks to launder money for a drug cartel. Marty must navigate the treacherous criminal underworld while keeping his family safe and his illicit operations hidden. With plot twists, morally ambiguous characters, and star performances (particularly by Jason Bateman and Laura Linney), Ozark is a crime drama full of deception and danger.
The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
Set in the 1950s and 60s, this coming-of-age drama follows orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon as she rises through the ranks of the competitive chess world while battling her inner demons. With standout performances, particularly by Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth, the series explores themes of ambition, addiction, and the pursuit of excellence.
Love, Death & Robots (2019-)
Each 11-time Emmy-winning Love, Death & Robots episode is a short, standalone story animated in different styles. From dystopian futures to surreal fantasies, the series is a blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror and a must for fans of speculative fiction and/or boundary-pushing animation. Oh, and there’s nudity. Like, lots of it.
Sex Education (2019-2023)
This heartfelt coming-of-age comedy-drama is set in a British high school and follows socially awkward teenager Otis Milburn, whose mother is a sex therapist. He teams up with rebel-without-a-cause Maeve Wiley to start a secret sex advice business for their fellow students. Through its humor and candid exploration of teenage sexuality, the series navigates issues such as love, friendship, consent, and identity with sensitivity.
Money Heist (2017-2021)
Money Heist (known as La Casa de Papel in Spanish) is a gripping crime drama following the meticulously planned heists orchestrated by The Professor and his team of skilled criminals. Initially targeting the Royal Mint of Spain, the series later expands to involve even larger, high-stakes robberies.
Black Mirror (2011-)
Inspired by The Twilight Zone, Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror started life on Channel 4 in the UK before being picked up by Netflix for its third season. The show is an anthology of thought-provoking, standalone episodes exploring the dark side of modern technology and society, such as the dystopian consequences of social media or artificial intelligence. With its chilling moral dilemmas and unpredictable twists, Black Mirror won a cult following and six Primetime Emmys.
The Witcher (2019-)
Based on the video game and book series by Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher is a popular fantasy series full of intrigue, magic, and monsters. Geralt of Rivia is a monster hunter known as a Witcher. The battles are epic, the characters developed, and the world has a rich mythology. The series has earned praise for its special effects, compelling plot, and the charismatic performance of Henry Cavill as Geralt.
Squid Game (2021-)
A gripping survival drama from South Korea, Squid Game is about a deadly competition in which competitors can win a massive cash prize—or die trying. With its intense games, shocking twists, and morally complex characters, Squid Game has become a global phenomenon.
Wednesday (2022-)
A hugely popular supernatural mystery series, Wednesday, follows teen girl Wednesday Addams of The Addams Family in her first year at Nevermore Academy (she was expelled from her previous school for putting piranhas in the swimming pool). Wednesday must solve a supernatural mystery and thwart a murderous monster while learning to control her psychic abilities and navigate high school relationships. The show gained a legion of fans, four Emmys, and even spawned a viral dance.
Lucifer (2016-2021)
Lucifer Morningstar is the Devil. He abandons Hell to live in Los Angeles and run a nightclub, as you do. While indulging in Earthly pleasures, he becomes a consultant to the LAPD, using his powers to solve crimes alongside Detective Chloe Decker. The show blends crime procedural with supernatural elements, exploring themes of redemption, free will, and the nature of good and evil.
