The streaming era has given us a plethora of great TV shows, but it can be hard to know where to start when you start looking for something to watch. There are a million different services, and each one of them is trying to serve up shows that will grab your attention. Thankfully, we’ve done the hard part so you don’t have to.
We’ve handpicked a list of the best Netflix shows to stream right now to help you spend more time binging and less time scrolling. This list highlights the best TV shows to catch on Netflix, and you can also check out our list of the best Hulu series, best Amazon Prime series, best Disney+ series, and best Netflix movies after you’ve made it through the series listed below.
Added to the list this month
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Raising Dion2019
3 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Cast
Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa
Created by
Laurie Nunn
One of the major benefits of Netflix has been the way it exposes American audiences to primarily British series, and there may be no better example of that trend than Sex Education. The show follows a group of teenagers living in a small British town who are experiencing a wide variety of normal sexual awakenings. Sex Education is remarkably frank about sex, and what it means for people of all ages. It’s also smart, and blisteringly funny, and features one of the best ensembles of young talent on either side of the pond.
2 Seasons
Genre
Kids
Cast
Malia Baker, Vivian Watson, Anais Lee
Created by
Rachel Shukert
Canceled before its time, The Babysitter’s Club was widely regarded as one of the best shows Netflix had ever produced. Based on the young adult books of the same name, the series follows five middle school friends who decide to form their own club dedicated to babysitting. Over the course of its two seasons, the show managed to tell stories that were appropriate for younger audiences without speaking down to them, and grounded the experiences of every girl in the group in what felt like a carefully observed, totally immersive reality.
1 Season
Genre
Action, Adventure, Drama
Cast
Christian Convery, Nonso Anozie
Created by
Jim Mickle
Sweet Tooth begins in the midst of an apocalyptic pandemic, when children are suddenly born as hybrids, somewhere between human and animal. A little boy known as “Sweet Tooth” or Gus (Christian Convery) is the focus of this show, detailing the discrimination and evil of humankind against an astonishing backdrop. The performances and pace of events are what make this show worth watching, in addition to some sharp performances.
5 Seasons
Genre
Crime, Drama
Cast
Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn
Created by
Vince Gilligan
After an Albuquerque high school chemistry teacher named Walter White (Bryan Cranston) is diagnosed with terminal cancer, the real question is how long he has to live. Breaking Bad follows this teacher as he’s driven by his talents and his belief that he has to provide for his family to become one of the most powerful players in the underground methamphetamine trade.
1 Season
Genre
Drama
Cast
Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Camp, Moses Ingram
Created by
Scott Frank, Allan Scott
One of the most popular limited series to hit Netflix, The Queen’s Gambit is also one of the streamer’s best. Orphaned at age 9, introvert Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) 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.
1 Season
Genre
Action, Adventure, Drama
Cast
Lee Jung-jae, Greg Chun, Stephen Fu
Created by
Hwang Dong-hyuk
A true international phenomenon, Squid Game is a dark story that is originally in Korean but also available with English dubs. With the promise of a large sum of money paid to the winner, a group of strangers participate in a series of kids games with a deadly twist, and only one will make it out alive.
5 Seasons
Genre
Comedy
Cast
Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Portia De Rossi
Created by
Mitchell Hurwitz
Following the largely despicable Bluths, a very wealthy family, who finally discover that their wealth has been founded on lies and deceit after their patriarch is arrested, Arrested Development is one of the funniest shows to ever air. Seemingly the only sane one in the family, Michael Bluth must attempt to keep them all above water as their way of life crumbles around them. This shows features some of the most quotable lines in comedy history, and Netflix even revived the show for a more recent run on Netflix.
5 Seasons
Genre
Drama, Crime, Historical Fiction
Cast
Cillian Murphy, Paul Anderson, Helen McCrory
Created by
Steven Knight
Incredibly acted and shockingly graphic, Peaky Blinders is a period-piece crime drama loosely based on the real Shelby crime family. Shortly after World War I, an infamous Irish crime family, the Shelbys, infiltrated and uprooted high-class society during the peak of its riches and splendor. The show is focused primarily on Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), the leader of Peaky Blinders, who must establish and maintain power by means of fear and brutality. Disclaimer: This is not at all a show for kids.
The Manual streaming roundup
6 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Romance
Cast
Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jesse Klein
Created by
Jennifer Flackett, Andrew Goldberg, Nick Kroll
One of Netflix’s longest running animated shows, Big Mouth pushes the envelope in graphic, often hilarious ways. Following a group of confused adolescents and their individual journeys through the process of growing up, we are subject to their strange, dark fantasies and mythical creatures such as “hormone monsters,” a “shame wizard,” and a “depression kitty” that prove to be remarkably apt metaphors for much of what young people go through.
2 Seasons
Genre
Sci-fi, Animation, Short
Cast
Scott Whyte, Nolan North, Steven Pacey
Created by
Tim Miller
In this sci-fi anthology series on Netflix, you never know what you’re going to get. Episodes range from six to 18 minutes, and each is a totally distinct mind-bending spectacle. Every episode is created by a different team from a number of countries around the world, all provided with three words of inspiration for their short sci-fi story: Love, Death + Robots.
13 Seasons
Genre
Reality-TV
Cast
Mel Giedroyc, Sue Perkins, Sandi Toksvig, Noel Fielding, Matt Lucas
Created by
Andy Devonshire
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 amid the beautiful English countryside.
5 Seasons
Genre
Biography, Drama, History
Cast
Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Imelda Staunton
Created by
Peter Morgan
Chronicling a dramatized portrayal of the royal family history, we learn about the way they handled the political and personal turmoil around them, with some real-life historical details added for emphasis. Wonderfully acted and dazzlingly realized, The Crown is ultimately about what it means to be the monarch in an age when that title is largely ceremonial. Queen Elizabeth’s power is in what she doesn’t do, and yet the show is somehow riveting anyway.
6 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, News, Talk-Show
Cast
Hasan Minhaj, Joyelle Johnson, Arnab Goswami
Created by
Hasan Minhaj, Prashanth Venkataramanujam
If you’ve seen and enjoyed Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj should be your next stop. The show is a bit more harshly pointed at the corporations and politicians of today’s world, but it’s often just as funny. Minhaj wanted to create a show that was “timely and timeless.” Unfortunately, this show seemed to bite a bit too hard as Netflix canceled it after six seasons, despite it winning an Emmy, a Peabody Award, and two Webby Awards.
4 Seasons
Genre
Action, Comedy, Drama
Cast
Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Xolo Maridueña
Created by
Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Based on the iconic ’80s trilogy starting with The Karate Kid in 1984, Cobra Kai revives all the old rivalries and fighting styles that made it so memorable. Plagued by his embarrassing loss in the All Valley Karate Tournament against Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) half-drunkenly revives the once-dead Cobra Kai karate studio in an attempt to take his life back.
1 Season
Genre
Documentary, Biography, History
Cast
Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen
Created by
Jason Hehir
Following the rise of the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s with unaired footage, The Last Dance is one of the best documentary series Netflix has to offer. With commentary from Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, Scottie Pippen, and many others, it’s full of new insight about what made the team so great. You can also check out our list of the best documentaries on Netflix for more options.
2 Seasons
Genre
Action, Adventure, Comedy
Cast
Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda
Created by
Steve Blackman, Jeremy Slater, Gerard Way
If you’re looking for a fun comic book adaptation, The Umbrella Academy is a good place to start. The story follows a family of former child heroes who has grown apart and are now in their 30s. But when their adoptive father Sir Reginald Hargreeves dies, they realize they must reunite to save the world.
2 Seasons
Genre
Drama, Sci-Fi
Cast
Alisha Wainwright, Ja'Siah Young, Ali Ahn
Created by
Carol Barbee, Dennis Liu
After a critically mixed response to a first season, Raising Dion returned for a much more lauded follow up. Raised by a single mother going through rough times, Dion (Ja’Siah Young) is a second-grader who is struggling with an abnormal set of problems: Learning to deal with newfound superpowers.
3 Seasons
Genre
Comedy
Cast
Kåre Conradi, Nils Jørgen Kaalstad, Jon Øigarden
Created by
Jon Iver Helgaker, Jonas Torgersen
According to Viking experts, Norsemen 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 never cracked Netflix’s top ten.
3 Seasons
Genre
Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Cast
Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Winona Ryder
Created by
Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
Set in the 1980s, this sci-fi series takes place in a small town in the middle of Indiana that’s secretly a portal to another dimension. When a boy goes missing, the town’s residents start to panic, and it’s up to his young friends to try to find him. Meanwhile, a seemingly mute girl appears, and is sheltered by those young boys and soon discover that she has special powers — and must fight off a dark force lingering in their town.
3 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action, Adventure
Cast
Zach Tyler Eisen, Mako Iwamatsu, Mae Whitman
Created by
Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko
Originally from Nickelodeon, this animated series follows the story of Aang, a 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 four elements: earth, fire, air, and water. He has to overcome many challenges to do so, but he finds strength with the help of his loving friends, who are with him every step of the way.
6 Seasons
Genre
Reality-tv
Cast
Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness
Created by
David Collins
More than 10 years after the original series went off the air, Netflix decided to reboot it 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.
4 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action, Adventure
Cast
Janet Varne, J.K. Simmons, P.J. Byrne, David Faustino
Created by
Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko
Set well after the events of 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.
4 Seasons
Genre
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Cast
Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz
Created by
Bill Dubuque, Mark Williams
When Ozark starts, the Byrdes are just an ordinary family living in Chicago with nothing to hide. Quickly, though, we learn that the father, Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman), is actually 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.
6 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Drama
Cast
Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie
Created by
Raphael Bob-Waksberg
If you’re looking for an adult cartoon comedy that does more than just make fun of itself, 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 1980s and 1990s. BoJack (Will Arnett) struggles with depression, addiction, and maintaining relationships in this witty but dark comedy.
Genre
Documentary
Cast
Jon Favreau, Roy Choi
Created by
Jon Favreau
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.
2 Seasons
Genre
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Cast
Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv
Created by
Joe Penhall
True-crime podcasts and true-crime shows are great, but crafting them into compelling dramas can be tricky. Mindhunter is a Netflix Original drama based on the true story of the people at the forefront of the then-emerging science 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.
3 Seasons
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery
Cast
Louis Hofmann, Karoline Eichhorn, Lisa Vicari
Created by
Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese
When a young boy in a small German town goes missing, his family and the people of the town start to notice some strange coincidences and patterns in the town history. Dark has some incredible performances and a well-written plot, but it requires a lot of attention to understand what is going on thanks to the bevy of characters and a few bits of time travel as well.
1 Season
Genre
Drama, Horror, Mystery
Cast
Henry Thomas, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Kate Siegel
Created by
Mike Flanagan
You can only watch classic horror movies so many times before your thirst for blood demands something fresh. The Haunting of Hill House is a horror/mystery series that follows the lives of a family struggling with the memories of their time living in a childhood home. The plot jumps between past and present, revealing more and more of the terrors that dwell inside Hill House.
3 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Sport
Cast
Alison Brie, Marc Maron, Betty Gilpin
Created by
Liz Flahive, Carly Mensch
This dramedy follows the personal and professional lives of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, or GLOW for short, in Los Angeles during the 1980s. Although this Netflix original series is entirely fiction, it is based on the actual GLOW girls from the mid-1980s.
5 Seasons
Genre
Sci-fi, Psychological Thriller, Dystopia
Cast
Daniel Kaluuya, Wyatt Russell, Bryce Dallas Howard, Daniel Lapaine
Created by
Charlie Brooker
In a wild mix of sci-fi themes and terrifyingly not-so-distant-future technology, Black Mirror will thrill, entice, and possibly scare you. Each episode is entirely different, meaning you can watch them completely out of order and still enjoy a gripping short film with guest stars and eerie concepts. Even if this show has been around for a while, it still challenges your comfort level with the new and top-of-the-line technology that you may have seen glimpses of in pop culture, generally showing its potentially ugly side.
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