8 Most Perfect Netflix Shows of All Time, Ranked

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Pedro Pascal as Javier Pena, wearing sunglasses with a cold expression, in an image from 'Narcos.'

Published Feb 5, 2026, 3:08 PM EST

Remus is a writer, editor, journalist, and author with an eye for detail and an extremely active imagination. He is an enthusiast of everything to do with the graphic medium, whether it's Western comics and their adaptations or manga and anime. Remus is also the author of the sci-fantasy novel Once Upon a Time in Hyperspace and several works of short fiction in the mystery, comedy, and horror genres.

These days, Netflix is one of the biggest titans in the entertainment industry, and its successful slate of original productions has played a significant part in its rise to the top. Beginning in 2013, the streaming service has produced several original shows and movies, including acclaimed and award-winning projects like Orange Is the New Black, Stranger Things, and more. Now, little over a decade later, Netflix’s catalog has grown to include some of the greatest television masterpieces of all time.

Of course, while there are plenty of Netflix originals that enjoy large fanbases and have bagged numerous awards, only a select few have achieved true perfection, both in terms of their content and execution. Here’s our ranked selection of the most perfect Netflix shows of all time, each of them an unparalleled masterpiece from start to finish.

8 ‘Narcos’ (2015–2017)

Wagner Moura as Pablo Escobar looking sullen in Narcos.

Created by Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, and Doug Miro, Narcos is a dramatized retelling of the rise and fall of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. Set in 1980s Colombia, the crime drama series chronicles Escobar’s rise in the cocaine trade and expansion of his drug empire, as well as the relentless international effort by authorities, justice seekers, and law enforcement to bring down the dangerous criminal. Wagner Moura portrays Pablo Escobar, with Pedro Pascal, Boyd Holbrook, Damián Alcázar, Alberto Ammann, and Maurice Compte in other main roles.

Among all the screen interpretations of Escobar’s life and crimes, Narcos remains an outstanding true crime drama with its close-to-real characterizations and events. The series has been critically acclaimed for its powerful storytelling, great cinematography, and compelling performances, especially Moura’s picture-perfect portrayal of the notorious criminal. Despite various criticisms regarding its historical accuracy, Narcos remains a 21st-century television landmark that successfully captures some of the darkest chapters of modern history.

7 ‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

Louis Hofmann in a yellow raincoat standing on a deserted road in Dark.

Netflix’s first original German-language series, Dark is a sci-fi mystery thriller created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese that explores the aftermath of a teenager’s disappearance and the strange secrets of four estranged families. As the investigation proceeds, it sheds light on the dark pasts and fractured relationships of the families, unraveling a conspiracy and a time travel mystery that spans multiple generations. The series stars Louis Hofmann, Karoline Eichhorn, Lisa Vicari, Maja Schöne, and Moritz Jahn in main roles.

With themes of free will vs. destiny, existentialist thought, and time travel paradoxes, Dark is an elevated combination of hard science fiction, horror, philosophy, and psychology. Full of twists and turns and complex characters, the series is as fascinating as it is frightening — an often puzzling, intriguing mystery that genuinely challenges you until the very end. Critically praised for its concept, immersive effects, tone, direction, and gripping performances, Dark is easily one of the greatest sci-fi series ever made and a high-concept show that has defined modern sci-fi.

6 ‘Money Heist’ (2017–2021)

A Spanish-language heist crime drama created by Álex Pina, Money Heist (aka La casa de Papel) follows criminal mastermind The Professor, who recruits eight petty criminals to pull off two massive, well-planned heists at the Royal Mint of Spain and the Bank of Spain. Told from the POV of one of the robbers in a real-time-like narration, the five-part show chronicles the gang’s multi-day sieges, hostage negotiations, personal conflicts, and hidden character motivations. The series stars Úrsula Corberó, Álvaro Morte, Itziar Ituño, Pedro Alonso, Paco Tous, Alba Flores, and Miguel Herrán as leading characters.

On its Netflix premiere, Money Heist became a massive international hit — the most-watched non-English series at the time and the first Spanish-language show to win an International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series. During its run, the series quickly turned into a cultural phenomenon, with the show’s props, costumes, and music becoming worldwide symbols of resistance and rebellion. The daring plot, taut narrative, adrenaline-raising thrills, clever humor, and dramatic performances come together to make Money Heist a perfect heist drama that enthralls the audience at every turn.

5 ‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014–2020)

BoJack sits by a pool in a bathrobe holding a beer with the Hollywood sign behind in BoJack Horseman.

An adult animated tragicomedy created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, BoJack Horseman centers on the titular character, an anthropomorphic horse and has-been '90s television star, who is struggling with his diminishing celebrity status, relevance, and reputation. To reclaim his popularity, BoJack decides to publish a tell-all autobiography with his ghostwriter Diane, while navigating his declining mental health and flagging career. Will Arnett voices BoJack, with Alison Brie, Amy Sedaris, Aaron Paul, and Paul F. Tompkins voicing other main characters.

Behind its colorful graphics and anthropomorphic characters, BoJack Horseman is a deeply poignant and profound show about the human condition, cushioned by absurdist humor. BoJack’s struggles with his mental health and resulting self-destructive behavior feel relatable and real, portrayed by Will Arnett with emotional depth and conviction. Netflix’s first original adult animated series, BoJack Horseman stands out with its signature combination of heavy themes explored with dark satire and existential wit, becoming one of the most influential animated series ever made.

4 ‘Mindhunter’ (2017–2019)

Jonathan Groff in a suit and tie walking through a prison in Mindhunter.

Created by Joe Penhall and produced by David Fincher, Mindhunter is a dramatized account of the formation of the Behavioral Science Unit at the FBI during the 1970s, exploring the early years of criminal profiling through the stories of real-life criminal cases and criminals. The crime thriller series focuses on agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench and psychologist Wendy Carr, following their efforts to better understand imprisoned criminals to solve ongoing cases. Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, and Anna Torv star as the leading characters, with Hannah Gross, Cotter Smith, and Stacey Roca in supporting roles.

Based on the non-fiction book Mindhunter: Inside The FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit, Netflix’s Mindhunter sits right at the crossroads of true-crime documentaries, psychological horror, crime thriller, and police drama. The series features shocking murder cases and dangerous serial killers like Son of Sam and Charles Manson, exploring their crimes from various angles through a chilling and intense narrative. Its compelling performances, fine cinematography, and powerful storytelling make Mindhunter a near-perfect crime thriller and one of the most widely acclaimed true-crime shows Netflix has ever produced.

3 ‘Beef’ (2023–Present)

Steven Yeun and Ali Wong as Danny and Amy looking at each other, a fancy sculpture behind them, in Beef.

Created by Lee Sung Jin, Beef is a dark-comedy anthology series that explores the repressed, existential rage of its protagonists, often stemming from the pressures of modern life, social complexities, and deep-seated emotional trauma. The first season follows a road rage incident taking place between Danny (Steven Yeun), a struggling contractor, and Amy (Ali Wong), a newly successful small business owner, which leads to a series of events that upend each other’s lives until they are both consumed by their ego and anger. Season 1 also stars Joseph Lee, Young Mazino, David Choe, and Patti Yasutake in other main roles, and a second season starring Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan is due to premiere in April 2026.

Beef is a bold and daring show that plays on pettiness and pathos with equal depth and conviction, delivered ever so compellingly by the fantastic ensemble cast. The narrative shifts between a grungy thriller, black comedy, and social drama, keeping the audience engaged as every arc unfolds a new chaos. Since its premiere, Beef has been critically acclaimed for its story, direction, and the explosive performances of Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, which merited the series eight Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes, among several other accolades.

2 ‘Ripley’ (2024)

Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley leaning on a chair in Episode 5 of Netflix's Ripley.

Created, written, and directed by Steven Zaillian, Ripley follows the titular antagonist, Tom Ripley, a grifter in 1960s New York who charms his way into getting hired by a wealthy businessman to bring his son, Dickie, home from Italy. When Tom arrives in Italy and meets Dickie, it instantly sets him on a path of greed, obsession, and deceit, with diabolical consequences. Andrew Scott stars as Tom Ripley and Johnny Flynn as Dickie, with Dakota Fanning, Eliot Sumner, Margherita Buy, and Maurizio Lombardi as other main characters.

Adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s popular novel The Talented Mr. Ripley, Ripley marks the second television adaptation of the book but supersedes all other renditions of the original material. The artistic and elegant black-and-white photography, featuring Giallo motifs and Hitchcockian elements, effectively conveys the intensity of its themes of obsession, envy, and betrayal, making the series shine as a masterpiece in filmmaking. With its meticulous art design, conceptual depth, and elevated performances, Ripley is a remarkable psychological thriller that feels immersive and classically artistic in every scene.

1 ‘Arcane’ (2021–2024)

Jinx (Ella Purnell) stands, center of frame, with a determined glare and one eye hidden behind a strand of blue hair in a still from 'Arcane' season 2.

A steampunk action-adventure adult animated series created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee, Arcane is an adaptation of the popular video game League of Legends, focusing on two League champions, sisters Violet/Vi and Powder/Jinx. Set in the same universe, the series reimagines their origin stories as siblings torn apart amid a raging war between the utopian city of Piltover and its seedy counterpart, Zaun, and forced to navigate conflicting loyalties, trauma, and the machinations of an evil mastermind. The series stars the voices of Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, Kevin Alejandro, Katie Leung, and Jason Spisak as main characters.

Arcane is a riveting masterpiece in adult animation that steals hearts and attention with its immersive visual design and intricate emotional arcs. The series has been critically acclaimed for its fantastic world-building, great soundtrack, and perfect character designs that arguably outshine the aesthetic and narrative experience of the game. On its release, Arcane quickly became one of Netflix’s top shows, becoming the first video game adaptation to win both Annie Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards, and it's widely hailed as one of the greatest game adaptations ever made.