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Looking for the best shows to binge-watch on Netflix? Never fear. We've compiled a list of the best shows on the platform ready for you to peruse, from the funniest comedies to the most devastating dramas to crime and sci-fi series that'll have you on the edge of your seat. There are quite literally thousands of good shows to watch on Netflix — this article will help you choose which to dive into next.
For more recommendations, check out our list of the best movies on Netflix, best sci-fi shows on Netflix, and best fantasy shows on Netflix.
Editor's note: This article was updated November 2024 to include The Secret of the River.
‘The Secret of the River’ (2024)
IMDb: 8.2/10
The Secret of the River (2024)
Release Date October 9, 2024
Cast Diego Calva , Trinidad González , Frida Sofía Cruz Salinas , Mauro Guzmán , Jero Medina , Lisa Rivas , Yoshira Escárrega , Mercedes Hernández , Iazua Larios , Nova Coronel , Octavio Mendoza , Jorge A. Jimenez , Tete Espinoza , Humberto Busto , Kaarlo Isaacs Barria , David Montalvo
Created by Alberto Barrera, The Secret of the River is an eight-episode coming-of-age series that explores Mexico’s Zapotec culture and themes of gender identity. Starring Diego Calva and Trinidad González, the series follows the story of two children in a small Oaxacan village who witness a horrific tragedy, which creates a powerful bond between them. When they reunite 20 years later as different people, their friendship is put to the test as they face their shared past. Besides Calva and González, the series also stars Jorge A. Jimenez, Mercedes Hernández, Mauro Guzmán, Frida Sofía Cruz, and more.
The Secret of the River premiered on October 9, 2024, making it onto Netflix’s Top 10 lists. A powerful story about friendship forged by tragedy and the experiences of trans people in Mexican society, the series tackles difficult themes with care and sensitivity. It’s a complex, layered show that gives global audiences a fascinating glimpse into Oaxacan culture, anchored by stellar performances from its talented cast.
‘Escape at Dannemora’ (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 7.9/10
Escape At Dannemora (2018)
Release Date November 18, 2018
Creator(s) Brett Johnson , Michael Tolkin
This underrated miniseries from creators Brett Johnson and Michael Tolkin follows Patricia Arquette as Tilly, a married prison officer who becomes romantically involved with two prisoners. However, their connection grows stronger and eventually leads to the trio hatching an escape plan — one that will catch the eyes of the nation. Remarkably, this immersive drama is actually based on a true story, making each jaw-dropping moment even more shocking. Emotionally captivating and full of tension, Escape at Dannemora caught plenty of attention upon its 2018 but isn’t spoken of nearly enough anymore, with its availability now on Netflix hopefully bringing more eyes to it. - Jake Hodges
‘Monk’ (2002 - 2009)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Monk
Release Date July 12, 2002
Creator
A classic series with an adoring fanbase even 15 years after its end, Monk follows the titular Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub), a man who develops obsessive-compulsive disorder and loses his detective job following the death of his wife. However, his genius is still worthwhile on a consultancy basis with the San Francisco Police Department, as Monk turns private and shoots to the top of his game. Shalhoub’s career-defining performance, Monk makes for gripping television from the very first moment, never shying away from exploring drama, comedy, and plenty of mysteries. A huge critical and public success, Monk even won an impressive eight Primetime Emmys across its eight seasons and 124 episodes. - Jake Hodges
‘Yellowjackets’ (2021 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.8/10
Release Date November 14, 2021
Creator Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson
One of the most popular shows on modern television, Yellowjackets is split between two periods in time, with one exploring the tragic plane crash of a talented girls' high school soccer team as they survive in the deep wilderness and the other the lasting effects said event has had on them 25 years later. A winding, thought-provoking look at trauma through the lens of a brilliantly intense thriller, 10-time Primetime Emmy nominee Yellowjackets has earned itself millions of adoring fans — and for good reason. Featuring an iconic ensemble cast, each with their own endearing and unique traits, this modern, twisted Lord of the Flies-esque tale will keep you hooked from minute one right through to the latest available episode. - Jake Hodges
‘Penelope’ (2024 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 6.1/10
Penelope
Release Date September 24, 2024
Creator
From creators Mark Duplass and Mel Eslyn, Penelope follows the titular 16-year-old, portrayed by Megan Stott, as she struggles with the fast-paced alienation of the modern world. Looking for a way out, Penelope leaves home to connect with nature and escapes into the wilderness. Although Penelope may not be for all audiences, for a young adult demographic, this is the perfect easy watch. Supported by a stellar young cast and crew, Penelope is a refreshing example of the exciting array of talent currently climbing the ranks, with Netflix thankfully giving young actors such as Stott a chance to shine - Jake Hodges
‘Kevin Can F**k Himself’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 7.2/10
Release Date June 13, 2021
Creator(s) Valerie Armstrong
This provocatively titled dark comedy takes many a sitcom trope and spins it on its head. The series follows Annie Murphy’s Allison McRoberts, a prototypical sitcom wife who often finds herself at the wrong end of a gag and is married to a man who seems impossibly unsuited to her should-be-higher standards. However, her world changes one day when her sitcom life moves from multi-camera to single-camera as her evolution out of a bygone era of storytelling begins. Kevin can F**k Himself is nothing short of a unique, refreshing stroke of genius. The widespread criticism of the attitudes of many a sitcom — some newer than many would like to admit — has been raised time and time again, but never has it been dissected so intelligently and metatextuality as in this series. For those who love sitcoms and those who do not, there is plenty to enjoy with this show and its two brilliant seasons. - Jake Hodges
‘The Perfect Couple’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 60% | IMDb: 6.6/10
Release Date September 5, 2024
An adaptation of the 2018 novel of the same name by Elin Hilderbrand, The Perfect Couple follows the husband-and-wife duo Greer (Nicole Kidman) and Tag Winbury (Liev Schreiber) as they throw the luxury wedding for their son Benji (Billy Howle) on the island of Nantucket. However, the celebrations turn quickly sour when a body washes up on the beach and a murder investigation begins, with every guest seemingly a suspect. Stylish and tantalizingly immersive, The Perfect Couple is a wonderful whodunnit with plenty of twists and turns. With a cast that includes the likes of Eve Hewson, Meghann Fahy, Dakota Fanning, Jack Reynor, and Michael Beach and a story that hooks you from minute one, The Perfect Couple is not to be missed. - Jake Hodges
‘Kaos’ (2024 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 77% | IMDb: 7.6/10
Release Date August 29, 2024
This brand-new big-budget Netflix series stars Jeff Goldblum as Zeus and reimagines many of the famous stories in Greek mythology. The story follows a newly-wrinkled king of the gods who’s afraid of his future and six seemingly normal humans who are about to become integral to the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy. Adapted for a modern audience by discussing themes powerfully relevant to a modern audience, such as gender politics and power dynamics, Kaos is unlike anything currently on the major streaming sites. Devilishly funny and full of wit, the series is always keen on shedding 21st-century light on age-old tales but is also not afraid of allowing said tales to influence the use of modern theming. Endlessly entertaining, Kaos is a wonderful addition to Netflix’s bursting catalog. - Jake Hodges
‘UnREAL’ (2015 - 2018)
Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 7.8/10
Release Date June 1, 2015
Creator Marti Noxon and Sarah Gertrude Shapiro
Main Genre Drama
One of the most innovative series on Hulu, UnREAL takes the reality genre that dominates our screens and peeks behind the curtains with a drama that shows the goings-on behind the scenes of a reality dating show. Chaos and carnage consume the crew, with UnREAL acting as a horrifying warning of the dangers of reality TV. After the first episodes aired, many became instantly concerned as to just how accurate the depiction of the events in this show was, with many calling for reality television in its entirety to be reshaped. A powerful, immersive dive into a drama soaked in popular culture, UnREAL is an eye-opening journey through the hellish side of the industry. - Jake Hodges
‘Dark Winds’ (2022 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.7/10
Release Date June 12, 2022
Creator Graham Roland
Creator(s) Graham Roland
Created by Jack Ryan co-creator Graham Roland, Dark Winds is a neo-western crime thriller series based on the Leaphorn & Chee books by Tony Hillerman. Set in the 1970s in the American Southwest, Dark Winds follows Tribal Police officers Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) and Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), who investigate mysterious crimes in the region that question their judgment, beliefs, and faith. Exploring violent and ominous crimes and events in the remote settlement of the Navajo Nation, Dark Winds is dark, eerie, and foreboding with psychological thriller elements. Besides McClarnon and Gordon, the series also stars Noah Emmerich, Jessica Matten, Rainn Wilson, Deanna Allison, and Jeri Ryan in supporting roles. Dark Winds premiered on AMC in 2022, quickly becoming a popular series acclaimed for its Native American representation and its powerful narrative revolving around native women, earning record-breaking viewership. Following two successful seasons and 12 episodes, Dark Winds has been renewed for a third season, expected to arrive in 2025.
‘Fire Country’ (2022 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 67% | IMDb: 7.1/10
Release Date October 7, 2022
Creator
The brilliant Fire Country follows Bode Donovan (Max Thieriot), a convict with a long sentence looking for redemption and a shorter term. That takes him to Cal Fire (the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection), an organization that offers him a second chance in exchange for his voluntary services. Little does Donovan know that he will be stationed in his hometown and face many ghosts of his past. Anyone looking for deep, intrinsic drama should move aside because Fire Country is simply non-stop action and fun. Headlined by Thieriot’s energetic lead performance, Fire Country throws everything and the kitchen sink at sheer entertainment value, which has resulted in millions of fans and continued successful ratings. Also including many other memorable performances — too many to name, in fact — Fire Country is well worth your time. - Jake Hodges
‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ (2024 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 6.8/10
Release Date August 1, 2024
Cast Emma Myers , Asha Banks , Raiko Gohara , Zain Iqbal , Jude Morgan-Collie , Yali Topol Margalith , Yasmin Al-Khudhairi , Carla Woodcock
Based on Holly Jackson’s eponymous bestselling YA novel series, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is adapted by Poppy Cogan and directed by Dolly Wells. Set in the fictional town of Little Kilton, this British murder mystery series follows Pip Fitz-Amobi, a 17-year-old high school student who begins to investigate the murder-suicide of a local schoolgirl who died five years ago. Wednesday star Emma Myers plays the role of the smart and determined teenage sleuth Pip, leading an ensemble cast that includes Zain Iqbal, Anna Maxwell Martin, Gary Beadle, and Mathew Baynton. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder originally premiered in the UK on BBC Three in July 2024, receiving highly positive reviews from fans and critics alike. With a cozy small-town setting and characters that feel straight out of classic English mysteries, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder boasts all the elements of a good murder mystery, with Pip favorably compared to Nancy Drew.
‘Vikings: Valhalla’ (2022 - 2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.3/10
Release Date February 25, 2022
This wild action-adventure series is set in the early 11th century and follows the brutal wars and fight for survival of some of the most well-documented Vikings to have ever lived. Set 100 years after the original Vikings series, the bloodthirsty legends of the historical warriors are infused with an even greater eye for detail, with some even declaring Vikings: Valhalla better than its predecessor. For those who like their historical dramas to be accurate, this may not be the right show for you, but for those who love their drama to be bathed in the whispers of history, this is a wild ride full of excitement and tension. - Jake Hodges
‘Simone Biles: Rising’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.3/10
Simone Biles: Rising
Follow gymnast Simone Biles as she balances her personal life, mental health journey and training ahead of a highly anticipated return to the Olympics.
Genre Documentary
Debut Date July 17, 2024
Studio Netflix
There is arguably no more famous athlete at the current Paris Olympic Games than Simone Biles. An unquestionable dominant force in the world of gymnastics, Biles’ trip to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo was meant to end in a routine grab of gold. However, after issues with her mental health, she withdrew and began a painstaking road towards a triumphant return. Biles’ journey has been well-documented in the media, but Netflix is no stranger to taking well-known stories and applying a fresh spin, with this documentary well worth a watch for even the most well-versed Biles supporters. Told on her own terms, Simone Biles: Rising feels like a celebration of her talents as well as a look at the effects of mental health on top athletes — a topic certainly under-discussed. - Jake Hodges
‘The Decameron’ (2024 - Present)
Release Date July 25, 2024
Not to be confused with the 1971 film of the same name, The Decameron is a Netflix Original period black comedy series created by Kathleen Jordan, who is best known for previously creating Teenage Bounty Hunters. Set against the backdrop of the bubonic plague of 1348, the series follows a group of nobles and their aides and servants who retreat to Villa Santa in the quiet Tuscan countryside to shelter from the raging epidemic engulfing the city. While at the villa, the oddball bunch drown themselves into bottomless lavishness and incessant depravity, which quickly ends up in chaos and a serious struggle for survival. The series boasts a diverse cast with Zosia Mamet, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Lou Gala, Leila Farzad, Tanya Reynolds, Amar Chadha-Patel, Jessica Plummer, and Karan Gill playing key roles. Billed as a medieval comedy series set on the theme of “class struggles in the season of a pandemic,” the all-new period comedy is inspired by the eponymous 14th-century short story collection by Giovanni Boccaccio, exploring satire, sex, nudity, and slapstick humor within the socio-cultural climate of the time.
‘Receiver’ (2024 - Present)
IMDb: 8.1/10
Receiver
Genre Documentary, Reality, Sports
Debut Date July 10, 2024
This stylish sports documentary shines a spotlight on the NFL — in particular, five of the best teams’ wide receivers. The documentary follows the elite athletes during the 2023-2024 season. An eye-opening insight into the life of high-performance sport, Receiver is much more than just a recap. Although it is true that NFL fans will adore this series, there is plenty to be uncovered for non-fans, too, with the intricate and often challenging journeys of each of the wide receivers easy to resonate with on an emotional level. To have a sport so often reduced to statistics reframed from a human perspective makes for refreshing viewing. - Jake Hodges
'Supacell' (2024 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 6.9/10
Supacell
When five ordinary South Londoners discover they have extraordinary powers, it's down to one man to bring them together to save the woman he loves.
Genre Superhero
Debut Date June 27, 2024
Supacell is a sci-fi superhero drama series created by Andrew Onwubolu, aka Rapman, a British rapper, record producer, and filmmaker who made his directorial debut with 2019’s Blue Story. The show follows a group of ordinary Black people from South London who inexplicably develop superpowers. Unified by a family history of sickle cell disease, they discover each other and try to navigate the impact of their powers in daily life — while also fending off a secret organization trying to control them and their special abilities. Supacel’s ensemble cast includes Tosin Cole, Josh Tedeku, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Nadine Mills, Calvin Demba, and Giacomo Mancini. Supacell premiered in June 2024 to glowing reviews, receiving a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with special praise for the striking performances by its talented cast. Featuring a fresh storyline, innovative narrative, and well-crafted characters, this six-episode sci-fi series is perfect for fans of shows like The Umbrella Academy, Travelers, and Doom Patrol.
'Sweet Tooth' (2021 - 2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 7.7/10
Sweet Tooth
Release Date June 4, 2022
This critically acclaimed series follows Gus (Christian Convery), a half-human, half-deer boy who is one of many such hybrids following an apocalyptic mystery that hit the world. With a fearing society hell-bent on removing the hybrids, Gus has spent his life in hiding, only for a chance meeting with the wandering Jepperd (Nonso Anozie) ready to open up a world of adventure. In its first two seasons, Sweet Tooth has captured the imagination of all generations with a story that feels both fantastical and grounded. Convery is a breakout star with his neat and nuanced portrayal of Gus, who stands out among a plethora of child performers. With a third season now closer than ever, the announcement has been made that it will be the last, so viewers should endeavor to enjoy this winding, wonderful, BAFTA-nominated show whilst they still can. - Jake Hodges
'Dexter' (2006 - 2013)
Rotten Tomatoes: 71% | IMDb: 8.6/10
Dexter
Release Date October 1, 2006
James Manons Jr.’s critically acclaimed Dexter follows the endearing titular serial killer, played by Michael C. Hall, as he splits his time between solving crimes as a Miami forensics expert and perpetrating them as a cold-blooded criminal. A wonderful spin on the crime genre, Dexter is a show that is confident in its ability to deceive, with its greatest deception coming from making a morally questionable central character frustratingly loveable. Based initially on Darkly Dreaming Dexter, the first in a line of novels by Jeff Lindsay, the show pays homage to the creepy atmosphere of the source material, managing to maintain an air of uncertainty throughout. Visually gripping and narratively delicious, Dexter’s four Primetime Emmy wins are well-deserved. - Jake Hodges
'Friday Night Lights' (2006 - 2011)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.7/10
Friday Night Lights
Editor's Choice
Release Date October 3, 2006
Lasting for an impressive five seasons, this sports drama series follows the titular Friday nights — the most important time in the community of Dillon, Texas. The local Dillon High School Panthers have landed themselves a new head coach, Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler), with the hopes and dreams of their players and community resting on his shoulders. As all good sports dramas should do, Friday Night Lights burns a fire inside the bellies of its audience, turning us into raving Panthers fans. An intricate and often honest portrayal of the high school football system and the community it impacts, the show has been both publicly and critically acclaimed, even picking up a remarkable three Primetime Emmys. - Jake Hodges
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