Streaming platforms are recognized for their award-winning series, but they also host a plethora of less impressive titles. Our guide to the top TV shows on Netflix is updated weekly to help you decide which series deserves a spot at the top of your watchlist. While not every show is guaranteed to be a hit, we appreciate those hidden gems that might not be instantly obvious—but trust us, they’re all deserving of your attention.
Feeling like you’ve tired everything on this list? Check out our guide to the best movies on Netflix for additional options. If you’ve already finished with Netflix and are seeking something new, explore our selections for the top shows on Hulu and the best shows on Disney+. If you disagree with our choices or have suggestions of your own, feel free to share in the comments below.
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Stranger Things
After what feels like an eternity trapped in the Upside Down (tho it’s only been three and a half seasons), Stranger Things returns for its fifth and final season. Following the shocking events of Season 4, Hawkins is now under military lockdown, but not everyone is accepting this fate quietly.Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) secretly hones her abilities with help from her adoptive parents Hopper (David Harbour) and Joyce (Winona Ryder), while Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (caleb McLaughlin), and their friends organize an underground effort against Vecna—the demonic antagonist threatening their town. When Mike’s younger sister Holly (Nell Fisher) gets pulled into the Upside Down by a Demogorgon, it raises critical questions about Will Byers’ (Noah Schnapp) original abduction that sparked Hawkins’ ongoing terror. The eight-episode season will roll out in three parts: four episodes are available now, three more drop on December 25th, with the finale set for New Year’s Eve—setting up an exciting conclusion for Stranger Things.
The Beast Within Me
A struggling author named Aggie Wiggs (clare Danes) finds herself at a crossroads while working on her next novel when real estate mogul Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys)—haunted by allegations surrounding his first partner’s death—moves into her neighborhood. Initially dismissing his suggestion to write about him as inspiration seems unappealing until another suspicious death occurs that connects deeply with Aggie’s past traumas.with standout performances from Natalie Morales as Aggie’s ex-partner Shelley and Brittany Snow as Nile’s current girlfriend Nina—who harbors secrets of her own—it’s ultimately Danes’ psychological interplay with Rhys that captivates viewers throughout this eight-part thriller.
Taking place during late 19th century Japan,< em>the Last Samurai Standing follows retired warrior Shujiro Saga(Junichi okada). He enters into brutal competition known as ‘Kodoku’ hoping to save his family ravaged by cholera outbreaks.The challenge involves defeating other samurai participants—292 strong—to claim ¥100k prize money through collecting tags from fallen opponents while navigating checkpoints set up by enigmatic organizers.The series adapts Shogo Imamura’s novels illustrated by Katsumi tatsuzawa featuring some breathtaking sword fights alongside martial arts sequences showcasing Japan’s societal change post-Tokugawa Shogunate collapse—a thrilling six-part miniseries reminiscent of Squid Game set against Meiji-era backdrop!
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< p >Netflix expands its adult animation offerings further with this spin-off based off Ubisoft’s stealth action franchise.Set years after video game events,< em >Deathwatch features grizzled veteran Sam Fisher(Liev Schreiber ) being pulled back into action rescuing young agent Zinnia McKenna(Kirby Howell-Baptiste).The tone remains darkly gritty both visually & narratively thanks largely due Danish/French studios handling animation giving it unique comic book aesthetic rather than mimicking anime style!With high-octane action sequences throughout developed under john Wick creator Derek Kolstad already renewed second season promises even more excitement ahead!
< em > The Witcher
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Exploring the Intriguing world of Netflix Documentaries and Series
Nothing captures attention quite like a real-life disaster fueled by human arrogance. The unique blend of “I saw that coming” and “grab the popcorn” as events unfold creates captivating viewing experiences. This is the essence of Trainwreck, Netflix’s documentary series that delves into some of the most significant, albeit chaotic, incidents in recent history. From Toronto’s infamous mayor Rob Ford,whose reign was marred by crack cocaine use,to the avoidable blunders that turned a luxury cruise into an infamous “poop cruise,” each episode offers a fascinating look at how things can spiral out of control when poor leadership prevails. Although Netflix categorizes each installment as its own film, it functions more like a loosely connected anthology; viewers can dive into any episode without needing to follow a specific order—just pick your favorite fiasco and enjoy.
The Survivors
Kieran Elliott (Charlie Vickers) faced nature’s wrath years ago when he survived a storm that trapped him in a sea cave while his brother finn and friend Toby perished during their rescue attempt. Now, fifteen years later, Kieran returns to his hometown with his partner Mia (yerin Ha) and their daughter Audrey for a memorial service only to find himself still blamed for the tragedy by everyone from neighbors to his own mother. While these deaths continue to haunt the small community, another mystery looms—the disappearance of teenager Gabby Birch on that same fateful night. Out-of-town investigator Bronte (Shannon Berry), who remains invested in this cold case, finds herself entangled in Kieran’s life as connections between them begin to surface.Adapted from Jane Harper’s novel, this Australian murder mystery miniseries crafted by tony Ayres is both darkly engaging and thought-provoking.
Dept. Q
Once regarded as one of Edinburgh’s finest detectives, Carl Morck (the Crown‘s Matthew Goode) faces personal demons after an incident leads to tragedy—his partner injured and an officer killed during an operation gone wrong leaves him grappling with guilt while narrowly escaping death himself. Upon returning from extended leave due to trauma-induced stress, Morck finds himself leading Division Q—a poorly funded unit located in the precinct’s basement dedicated solely to solving cold cases. Teaming up with Rose (Leah Byrne), who is recovering from her own breakdown; Akram (Alexej Manvelov), a Syrian refugee; and James (Jamie sives), morck’s bedridden former partner; they embark on unraveling Merritt Linguard’s mysterious disappearance—a promising start for their beleaguered department based on Jussi Adler-Olsen’s novels.
Exploring New Series: A Fresh Take on Revenge,Power,and Adventure
in the gripping narrative of Kleo,the protagonist embarks on a quest for vengeance against those who exploited her. though, West German investigator Sven (Dimitrij Schaad) has his own insights regarding her final act of retribution. While the themes of betrayal and revenge cast a dark shadow over the storyline, Kleo is infused with an often absurd sense of humor and features a dynamic lead pair whose chemistry is particularly electrifying in its second season. As Kleo intensifies her hunt for former allies,she draws attention from global intelligence agencies in the wake of the Cold War.
Supacell
A group of five individuals from London unexpectedly discover they possess unusual abilities. Andre (Eric Kofi-Abrefa), a struggling father, gains superhuman strength; nurse Sabrina (Nadine Mills) unlocks telekinetic powers; drug dealer Rodney (Calvin Demba) can move at lightning speed; while aspiring gang leader Tazer (Josh Tedeku) becomes invisible. The most crucial among them is Michael (Tosin Cole from Doctor Who), who realizes he can time travel but only has three months to save his fiancée’s life.Created by Andrew “Rapman” Onwubolu, this series delves into superpowers without leaning heavily into superhero tropes—offering instead a more relatable exploration that stands apart from typical narratives found in franchises like Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. The mystery surrounding why these individuals are gaining powers builds up to an impactful climax that resonates far beyond mere spectacle.
The Three-Body Problem
Set against the backdrop of post-Cultural Revolution China in the late ’60s, gifted scholar Wenjie Ye witnesses her father’s brutal death due to his scientific beliefs before being enlisted for a covert operation based on that very knowledge. Fast forward to present day: particle accelerators worldwide are malfunctioning while scientists face inexplicable countdowns visible only to them. Meanwhile, peculiar VR headsets transport players into alternate realities—where humanity’s survival may hinge on avoiding “game over.” Adapted by D.B. Weiss and David Benioff alongside executive producer Alexander Woo from Cixin Liu’s celebrated sci-fi trilogy about first contact and impending interstellar conflict, netflix’s adaptation presents an ambitious narrative featuring an international cast including Benedict Wong and Rosalind Chao.
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Best known for its cinematic adaptation starring Matt Damon in ’99’s< em >The talented Mr.
Ripley< / em >,
Patricia Highsmith’s infamous character Tom ripley carries a darker legacy through literature and film.In this limited series created by Steven Zaillian,
we revisit Highsmith’s original text as Ridley,
portrayed by Andrew Scott (< em >All Of Us Strangers< / em >),
emerges as an unfortunate con artist navigating Fifties New York.
He is recruited by a wealthy shipbuilder tasked with persuading his wayward son Dickie Greenleaf
(Johnny Flynn) to return home.
However,
upon arriving in Italy,
Ripley becomes captivated by Dickie’s extravagant lifestyle—and will stop at nothing to claim it as his own.
Shot entirely in black-and-white,
this series stands out as one of the finest adaptations yet made from Highsmith’s works.
<
p > Set during Japan’s isolationist period known as sakoku in the seventeenth century when foreign presence was minimal—a girl named mizu (
Maya Erskine)
is born with striking blue eyes after her mother encounters one of four white men invading their land.
Years later,
after training under a blind sword master while disguising herself as male,Mizu seeks vengeance against those four men whom she believes must be eliminated for justice.
Exquisitely animated yet unflinchingly violent,
this adult-oriented series features voice talents such as George Takei,
Brenda Song,
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa,
and Kenneth Branagh making it one not just worth watching but also discussing.
The One Piece Live Action Series< / Em >
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Persistence pays off: After numerous anime adaptations ranging widely between mediocre attempts, Netflix finally strikes gold with its live-action rendition The One Piece Live Action Series.< br />Despite initial concerns among fans,this adaptation successfully captures Eiichiro Oda’s beloved manga charm along with its optimism and delightful eccentricities.< br />Set within an expansive world where characters wield unique abilities while searching for legendary treasures during piracy era,the show brings forth vibrant storytelling almost verbatim from page.< br />The talented cast led by Iñaki Godoy portrays Monkey D.Luffy—the aspiring King Of Pirates—with remarkable physicality perfectly suited to embody Luffy’s rubber-like stretching capabilities alongside crew members including swordsman Roronoa Zoro(Mackenyu), navigator Nami(Emily Rudd), sharpshooter Usopp(Jacob Romero Gibson),and martial artist chef Sanji(taz Skylar)—all brilliantly bringing their roles alive! although many challenges arose throughout production process bringing One Piece onto screen,this journey proves worthwhile!
