There are more great and good Netflix TV shows than there ought to be. With new episodes and new series to watch on a weekly basis, it can be hard figuring out what to watch without getting lost in Netflix’s algorithm.
We’ve handpicked a list of the best series to stream right now to help you spend more time on Netflix bingeing shows. You can also check out our list of the best Amazon Prime series and best Netflix movies for more options.
The Queens Gambit
The newest limited series to hit Netflix, The Queens Gambit is one of the best shows to binge right now. Orphaned at age 9, introvert Beth Harmon discovers her love and unexpected mastery of chess thanks to a janitor at her orphanage. After becoming a child prodigy, she goes on to break gender norms and defeat grandmasters. However, child stardom comes at a price as she struggles with alcoholism and substance abuse on her way to the top.
Main Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chloe Pirrie, Bill Camp
Total Episodes: 7
IMDb Rating: 8.9
The Great British Baking Show
Many competitive food shows tend to feature intense, cut-throat culinary challenges, but The Great British Baking Show is the exact opposite of that. This lovely Netflix cooking show is full of sweet treats and calming British accents all set atop the beautiful English countryside.
Main Cast: Paul Hollywood, Mary Berry, Mel Gidroyc
Total Episodes: 135
IMDb Rating: 8.6
Ratched
The newest Netflix show, Ratched, comes from the mind of American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy. The story focuses on a nurse from a leading psychiatric hospital named Mildred Ratched (Sarah Paulson). Despite her stylish exterior, she has darkness lurking just beneath the surface.
Main Cast: Sarah Paulson, Finn Wittrock, Cynthia Nixon
Total Episodes: 8
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Castlevania
This Netflix Original Series is based on Castlevania: Dracula’s Curse, the 3rd installment of the video game saga. Though many of the best Anime series on Netflix are made to be English dubs, this show was made first and foremost for its American audience. With loads of action, mystery, vampires, and witty one-liners, Castlevania is a must-watch if you’re looking to fill a sci-fi void in your heart.
Main Cast: Richard Armitage, James Callis, Alejandra Reynoso
Total Episodes: 22
IMDb Rating: 8.2
The Last Dance
Following the rise of the Chicago Bulls in the 90s with unaired footage, The Last Dance has quickly become one of the best documentaries you’ll want to watch in 2020. With commentary from Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, Scotty Pippen, and many others, it’s worth watching. You can also check out our list of the best documentaries on Netflix for more options.
Total Episodes: 10
Main Cast: Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen
IMDb Rating: 9.2
The Legend of Korra
Set in the same timeline as Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra follows the adventures of the latest Avatar as she struggles to find her place in the world. With technology suddenly at the center of everything, this series is more about the struggles between benders and non-benders than ever before.
Looking for more like this? We’ve found the best animated series on Netflix right now.
Total Episodes: 52
Main Cast: Janet Varne, J.K. Simmons, P.J. Byrne, David Faustino
IMDb Rating: 8.4
Umbrella Academy
If you’re looking for a great Netflix series, Umbrella Academy is a good place to start. The story follows a family of former child heroes who have grown apart and are now in their thirties. But when their adoptive father Sir Reginald Hargreeves dies, they realize they must reunite to save the world.
Total Episodes: 20
Main Cast: Elen Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda
IMDb Rating: 7.9
Norseman
According to Viking experts, Norseman is one of the most accurate depictions of what life might have been like for these people. On top of that, the show is absolutely hilarious. It’s a good series to watch even if it isn’t in Netflix’s top ten list right now.
Total Episodes: 18
Creators: Jon Iver Helgaker, Jonas Torgersen
Main Cast: Kåre Conradi, Nils Jørgen Kaalstad, Jon Øigarden
IMDb Rating: 7.8
Stranger Things
Set in the 1980’s, this sci-fi series takes place in a small town in the middle of nowhere, where spooky happenings start to unfold. When a high school girl goes missing, the residents of the town start to panic, with no end in sight. Meanwhile, a seemingly mute girl appears in town. She is sheltered and hidden by a group of young and nerdy boys, who soon find that she has special powers, and who must discover and fight off a dark force lingering in their town.
Total Episodes: 25
Main Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Winona Ryder
IMDb Rating: 8.8
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Originally from Nickelodeon, this animated series follows the story of Aang, a young boy who has been trapped in ice for over a hundred years. The world has fallen into chaos in his absence, and as the Avatar, he is the only one who can restore the balance between the 4 elements: earth, fire, air, and water. He has many challenges to overcome to do so, but he finds the strength to do so with the help of those who believe in him.
The Legend of Korra will also be available to stream on Netflix on August 14.
Main Cast: Zach Tyler, Jack De Sena, Dee Bradley Baker
Total Episodes: 66
IMDb Rating: 9.2
Queer Eye
More than 10 years after the original series went off the air, Netflix decided to reboot the series with an entirely new Fab Five in Atlanta. Rather than just offering fashion tips, recipes, and a makeover, however, the style experts provide apt social commentary to everyone they work with. All in all, it’s an easy show to binge and will likely leave you with a good feeling on the inside. We’ve also found even more fashion documentaries on Netflix if you’re interested.
Main Cast: Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness
Total Episodes: 17
IMDb Rating: 8.5
Hollywood
Set in post-World War II Hollywood, this mini-series tells the story of a group of aspiring actors and filmmakers. Each main character faces the dark side of Tinseltown as they struggle to make a controversially progressive movie.
Main Cast: David Corenswet, Darren Criss, Laura Harrier
Total Episodes: 7
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Ozark
The Byrdes are just an ordinary family living in Chicago with nothing to hide. Except for the father, Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman), who just so happens to be the top money launderer for one of the largest drug cartels in Mexico. When things go South, Marty and the family are forced to relocate to the Missouri Ozarks.
Main Cast: Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz
Total Episodes: 30
IMDb Rating: 8.3
BoJack Horseman
If you’re looking for an adult cartoon comedy that does more than just make fun of itself, Netflix’s Bojack Horseman scratches that itch. The story follows the life of a washed-up sitcom star who made his claim to fame with a popular sitcom from the late 80s and 90s. Bojack (Will Arnett) struggles with depression, addiction, and maintaining relationships in this witty but dark comedy.
Main Cast: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie
Total Episodes: 77
IMDb Rating: 8.7
The Witcher
Based on the popular game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, this adventurous series does a good job of filling the void that Game of Thrones left behind. The storyline follows Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) as he travels around fighting vicious monsters, beasts, and of course, the occasional human. Filled with sorcery, war, and the undeniable performance of Cavill and Anya Chalotra, this is one of the best shows you’ll find today. Though be careful watching these episodes too fast, season 2 doesn’t arrive until 2021.
Main Cast: Henry Cavill, Freya Allan, Anya Chalotra
Total Episodes: 8
IMDb Rating: 8.3
The Chef Show
This wonderful show all began during the filming of Favreau’s hit movie, Chef. Roy Choi had been brought on as a consultant for the film, and during that time, the two ended up bonding over the cooking process. Throughout the series, the lighthearted food duo travels around the country cooking with celebrities, famous chefs, and more. They also showcase a variety of delicious recipes, taking you step-by-step through the creative process. The Chef Show is also one of our top picks for the best cooking shows on Netflix right now.
Main Cast: Jon Favreau, Roy Choi
Total Episodes: 20
IMDb Rating: 8.2
Mindhunter
True-crime podcasts and true-crime shows are great, but adding a bit of theatrics into the mix never hurt anyone. Mindhunter is a Netflix Original drama based on the true story of a man at the forefront of profiling serial killers. The show follows FBI agent Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) as he and his team interview serial killers across the U.S. in an attempt to understand why they do what they do.
Main Cast: Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv
Total Episodes: 19
IMDb Rating: 8.6
Altered Carbon
If you’re a fan of sci-fi movies and find yourself in need of a fresh story, Altered Carbon is here to deliver that freshness. Set in the future, this Netflix show offers a look into a world where consciousness can be digitized and stored. This allows humans to survive beyond the death of their physical bodies, allowing for something close to immortality. With the second season just dropping earlier this month, now is a great time to start binge-watching this mind-bending fantasy.
Main Cast: Chris Conner, Renée Goldsberry, Will Yun Lee
Total Episodes: 18
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Sherlock
This modern update to an old classic is one of the best crime dramas to find its way to Netflix. The series follows Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman) as the eccentric duo expertly solve 21st-century crimes.
Main Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman
Total Episodes: 15
IMDb Rating: 9.1
Feel Good
Feel Good follows recovering addict and comedian Mae Martin as she tries to navigate her own addictive behaviors in both life and love. Though there is quite a bit of drama, this show is still a comedy at its heart and will have you chuckling more than a few times.
Main Cast: Mae Martin, Charlotte Ritchie, Sophie Thompson
Total Episodes: 6
IMDb Rating: 7.5
The Haunting of Hill House
You can only watch those classic horror movies so many times before your bloodthirst demands something fresh. The Haunting of Hill House is a horror/mystery series that follows the lives of a family struggling with haunting memories of their childhood home. The plot jumps between past and present, revealing more and more of the terrors that dwell inside Hill House.
Main Cast: Henry Thomas, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Kate Siegel
Total Episodes: 10
IMDb Rating: 8.7
Schitt’s Creek
This comedy follows a rich video-store owner Johnny Rose (Eugene Levy) as he and his family suddenly find themselves completely broke. They are forced to uproot their lives and regroup to a podunk town called Schitt’s Creek that Rose originally purchased as a joke. Though the first season starts out a bit slow, each short episode expands the dynamic of the characters to new and hilarious heights.
Main Cast: Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Levy
Total Episodes: 66
IMDb Rating: 8.4
GLOW
This comedy-drama follows the personal and professional lives of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, or GLOW for short, in Los Angeles during the 1980s. Though this Netflix original series is entirely fiction, it is based on the actual GLOW girls from the mid-80s.
Main Cast: Alison Brie, Marc Maron, Betty Gilpin
Total Episodes: 30
IMDb Rating: 8.0
You
This romance thriller gives you an in-depth look into the obsessive and charming mind of Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley). After meeting a young woman and falling in love almost instantly, Joe is driven to use extreme methods to manufacture a relationship between him and his target, removing every obstacle in his path.
Main Cast: Penn Badgely, Amber Childers, Victoria Pedretti
Total Episodes: 21
IMDb Rating: 7.8
Disenchantment
From the creators of Futurama and some of the best Simpsons episodes comes this wonderful and very different animated series. Disenchantment follows the story of Princess Bean, who is less than lady-like. After befriending a demon and an elf, her life quickly changes from royalty to an exciting and dangerous adventure.
Total Episodes: 20 episodes
IMDb Rating: 7.2
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