What is the best original Netflix series? That’s almost impossible to answer—the quintessential streaming platform has brought us so many compulsively watchable hits. In fact, the list of now-iconic scripted shows created by Netflix is nothing short of impressive: Stranger Things! The Crown! Narcos! Bridgerton! From romance to horror to sci-fi to fantasy to comedy, the streamer has consistently delivered some of the very best original series in every genre there is.
Still, certain shows on Netflix hit every mark, no matter your taste or mood. The best offer film-worthy performances, direction, sets, writing, and costumes—and, of course, captivating storylines that could only be told over the course of multiple seasons and episodes. So, if you were looking for a sign to finally start watching that one show your friends and family won’t stop referencing, this might just be it. Here are the best series on Netflix to binge (or re-binge!), from classic favorites to newer hits.
Stranger Things (2016-2025)
At first sight, Stranger Things seems like a cozy window into pure ‘80s nostalgia, thanks to aesthetics pulled straight from that era’s classic films, like Stand By Me and E.T. But don’t get it twisted—something very strange is going on in this Midwestern suburb, and the longer you watch, the more things in the neighborhood start to unspool. With an ensemble cast that features Winona Ryder, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, and more, as well as mind-blowing special effects and a moody, synthesizer-heavy soundtrack, Stranger Things is one supernatural thriller we can’t look away from. Oh, and those ‘80s references? They’re spot on. Think: Dungeons and Dragons, corduroy pants, VHS players, roller rinks, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High—just to name a few. If you like Stephen King films or The Goonies, this Duffer Brothers-created fantasy series is definitely for you.
Bridgerton (2020- )
For the girls still obsessed with that one scene in Pride Prejudice where Mr. Darcy flexes his hand after helping Elizabeth into the carriage, Bridgerton delivers yearning and 19th-century English style tenfold. The series focuses primarily on the Bridgerton family, with each season exploring the romantic endeavors of each sibling as they attempt to avoid the gossip stirred up by the mysterious Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers. The Emmy-winning series has three seasons out, with a miniseries spin-off, Queen Charlotte—about King George and Queen Charlotte’s love story—also recently joining the Bridgerton universe.
Wednesday (2022-)
Jenna Ortega seems like she was born to play Wednesday Adams—and that’s no small feat, considering how iconic Christina Ricci was in the 1991 film version. Of course, having director Tim Burton at the helm doesn’t hurt—and neither does having Catherine Zeta-Jones (as Morticia Addams) and Luis Guzmán (as Gomez Addams) in supporting roles. All in all, this Adams Family spin-off—which centers on Wednesday as a teenager in an all-girls school—is an eerily charming and fast-paced romp that will have you reaching for the black eye-liner faster than you can say “Wednesdaycore.”
Black Mirror (2011- )
This thrilling and suspenseful Netflix anthology series has had viewers transfixed since 2011. Consider it a modern take on The Twilight Zone, with a focus on the influence of technology on contemporary society. Thought-provoking and deeply unnerving.
Squid Game (2021- )
This terrifying Korean series centers on 456 contestants competing in deadly children’s games for a cash prize that they all desperately need. (Show creator Hwang Dong-hyuk was inspired by his personal economic struggles, as well as the backdrop of South Korea’s dramatic class disparity, while developing it.) Upon its release, Squid Game quickly became Netflix’s most-watched series, launching actor and model Hoyeon Jung into the stratosphere.
The Crown (2016- )
With the sixth and final season of The Crown currently airing (in two parts) on Netflix, it’s as good a time as any to watch the whole thing, if you haven’t already. Season 1 begins in the 1940s, with Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s wedding, before going on to capture her ascension to the thrown and the greater Windsor clan’s dance with history and power over the course of the 20th (and early 21st) century. The series does an excellent job of reconciling world events with the personal goings-on of Britain’s royal family, concluding with the death of Prince Diana and the courtship of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Baby Reindeer (2024)
This intimate, seven-episode series caught the Internet on fire when it debuted in 2024, with many critics heralding it as one of the best Netflix originals produced to date. Based on comic Richard Gadd’s one-man stage show and inspired by real-life events, the series offers a no-frills re-telling of a casual encounter that quickly turns into full-blown stalking. Filled with tension and truth, Baby Reindeer offers a gritty examination of gender norms, obsession, and the very real psychological tolls that toxic dynamics can produce.
Sex Education (2019-2023)
Otis’s hobbies involve bike-riding; hanging with his best friend, Eric; crushing on Maeve; and operating a secret sex therapy clinic at his school. Sex can be confusing—especially when you’re in high school—and Otis looks to channel what he’s learned from his sex therapist mom, Jean, to help his classmates navigate it. The series is both deeply funny and incredibly heartfelt, touching on issues like assault, trauma, and grief.
The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)
Loosely based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe, this gothic-horror-steeped miniseries gathers multiple characters and storylines from Poe’s stories, with a special emphasis on Roderick Usher (reimagined here as the CEO of a pharmaceuticals company) and the death of his six children.
The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
Anya Taylor-Joy plays chess prodigy Elizabeth Harmon in this irresistible Netflix limited series. The Queen’s Gambit trails Elizabeth as she seeks to become an elite chess player in the 1950s and ’60s, all while attempting to manage her drug and alcohol dependency.
Dead to Me (2019-2022)
This dark comedy starring Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini is all about what happens when friendship, secrets, and betrayal mix in the sunshine-filled enclaves of affluent Laguna Beach. Though the subject matter is seriously macabre—the two women meet at a grief support group after Applegate’s character’s husband dies in a hit-and-run—the unbeatable chemistry between Applegate and Cardellini make even the rawest moments riveting (and dare we say, fun?!) to watch.
The Witcher (2019- )
Based on the video game (and book series) of the same name, The Witcher centers on monster hunter Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra), and Crown Princess Cirilla of Cintra (Freya Allan). The series follows each character until they eventually meet, seemingly bound by destiny, to battle their enemies and protect one another from ever-growing harm. The fantasy show has amassed a large fandom since its debut in 2019, and spawned two spinoff series: The Witcher: Blood Origin and The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf. Its forthcoming fifth season will be its last.
Mo (2022- )
Loosely based on comedian Mo Amer’s real-life experiences as a Palestinian refugee in Texas, Mo—co-created by Ramy Youssef—is both gloriously funny and thoughtful in its depiction of a stranger in a strange land, seeking both asylum and citizenship.
Russian Doll (2019-2022)
Like Groundhog Day before it, Russian Doll is all about being stuck in a cosmic time loop—but instead of Bill Murray, it’s the sardonic and ever-charismatic Natasha Lyonne who is destined to live (and die) the same day on repeat. Dressed in New York City black, sporting red curls, and brandishing her signature wit, Lyonne is captivating to watch in the lead role—so much so that she was nominated for an Emmy two years in a row. Co-created by Lyonne, Amy Poehler, and Leslye Headland, the series explores death, redemption, and trauma, but manages to feel fresh thanks to a gritty aesthetic, clever writing, and a moody soundtrack. Keep your eyes peeled for supporting performances by a roster of cool kids including Greta Lee, Chloe Sevigny, and Waris Ahluwalia.
Never Have I Ever (2020-2023)
Mindy Kaling’s Never Have I Ever centers on Devi, a first-gen Indian-American teen in California trying to make the most of high school while she deals with the trauma of her father’s unexpected death. Funny, moving, and perfectly cringe-y.
Ozark (2017-2022)
When a married couple moves, with their two daughters, to the Lake of the Ozarks after a money laundering scheme goes awry, their lives become more complicated as they promise a Mexican drug cartel that they can carry out an even larger plot in their new location. Eventually, their business becomes entangled with neighboring criminals and even the Kansas City mafia in this riveting drama.
Lupin (2021- )
This popular French series tells the story of Arsène Lupin, a famous thief. After being wrongfully accused of stealing an expensive diamond necklace, Lupin’s father is sent to prison, where he subsequently dies—leaving a young Lupin to fend for himself. In time, he grows into a crafty gentleman burglar (in the form of the dashing Omar Sy) intent on exacting revenge.
Orange Is the New Black (2013-2019)
Perky public relations exec Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling) may be the last person you’d expect to find in prison, but off to a women’s penitentiary she goes after being sentenced to 15 months for a crime committed a decade ago. The show is gritty, raw, shocking, and deeply funny—especially when exploring the backstories of the inmates Chapman encounters—all while tackling societal issues related to gender, class, and race with thoughtfulness and compassion. And let’s not forget: the series also introduced mainstream audiences to the likes of Laverne Cox, Uzo Aduba, and Danielle Brooks.
House of Cards (2013-2018)
Given the current political climate, you would be forgiven for feeling like House of Cards is a little too true to real life. After all, it centers on a scheming, amoral politician (Kevin Spacey) who will do anything to gain power and get ahead—including lie, cheat, and steal. Sound like anyone you know? Regardless, House of Cards is still one of the best series on Netflix—and despite the fact that it debuted over 10 years ago, is also just as relevant today as it was then, if not more so. Spacey, who was dismissed ahead of the final season after being accused of sexual misconduct, is is very good as the aforementioned amoral politician, and Robin Wright shines as his equally ambitious wife. Fun fact: House of Cards was also the first original TV show produced for Netflix.
