The 55 Best TV Shows On Netflix (September 2023)

Available Seasons: 1 | Cast: Iñaki Godoy (Monkey D. Luffy), Emily Rudd (Nami), Mackenyu (Roronoa Zoro), Vincent Regan (Garp), Morgan Davies (Koby), Aidan Scott (Helmeppo), Armand Aucamp (Bogard)

Based on the enduringly popular manga and anime season (which debuted way back in 1997), Netflix’s live-action One Piece is a rare thing, achieving immediate popularity that transcended the usual limits of something with such deep and complex lore. For purists, the appeal is helped by creator Eiichiro Oda operating as a creative consultant on the show, which guaranteed the necessary faithfulness to the source. But One Piece is for newcomers too, balancing a strong, entertaining story with charming, full-hearted characters. It’s swash-buckling and light enough for broad appeal, and the story of the Star Hat Pirates searching for the fabled “One Piece” treasure hits enough recognizable fantasy story tropes to appeal, while glazing everything with an endearing enthusiasm that’s very contagious.

Available Seasons: 1 | Cast: Damian Lewis (Richard D. Winters), Ron Livingston (Lewis Nixon), Scott Grimes (Donald G. Malarkey), Donnie Wahlberg (C. Carwood Lipton), Michael Cudlitz (Denver (Bull) Randleman)

The gold standard of HBO’s TV show roster, Band Of Brothers remains one of the most profoundly affecting and stunningly executed mini-series of all time. Produced by the dream team of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, it tells the story of the 506th’s legendary Easy Company from conscription to the end of World War II. Marshalled by Richard D. Winters (a break-out Damian Lewis), the company see the sharp end of the US’ military campaign in Northern Europe. 20 years on, Band Of Brothers is still a stunning achievement, with an incredible cast, and some of the boldest war storytelling of all time.

Available Seasons: 1 | Cast: Jenna Ortega (Wednesday Addams), Gwendoline Christie (Larissa Weems), Riki Lindhome (Dr. Valeria Kinbott), Jamie McShane (Donovan Galpin)

A spin-off from The Addams Family, Wednesday sees Jenna Ortega take on the role of daughter Wednesday Addams as she is sent to boarding school. The school itself is a sort of gothic Hogwarts full of gifted youngsters, most of whom have supernatural powers. Wednesday herself has the power of premonition, leading to a murder that she sets out to solve. The show was a tremendous success for Netflix and won audience acclaim for its world-building and Ortega’s central performance.

Available Seasons: 5 | Cast: Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso), William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence), Courtney Henggeler (Amanda LaRusso)

An unexpected critical hit, Cobra Kai is a textbook example of how to rejuvenate a beloved franchise for a modern audience. Continuing the story of The Karate Kid, the series follows the original movies’ main characters as they continue to be shaped by martial arts. In offering a redemption story for original villain Johnny Lawrence, Cobra Kai also shakes up the Karate Kid formula, and each of the show’s five seasons has continued to push storytelling boundaries in a variety of innovative ways.

Available Seasons: 5 | Cast: Martine Henderson (Jack Sheridan), Alexandra Breckenridge (Melinda “Mel” Monroe), Colin Lawrence (John “Preacher” Middleton)

A romantic melodrama guaranteed to tug on an audience’s heartstrings, Virgin River has been one of Netflix’s most popular shows since its 2019 debut. Based on the Robyn Carr book series of the same name, the series follows Mel, a nurse and midwife who moves to a northern California town with a view to starting afresh. However, the people she meets in Virgin River soon make her dreams much more complicated. Praised for its gentle, considered storytelling, Virgin River has cultivated a devoted fanbase, and with good reason.

Available Seasons: 2 | Cast: Manual Garcia-Rulfo (Mickey Haller), Neve Campbell (Maggie McPherson), Becki Newton (Lorna Crane)

Based on the wildly popular book series of the same name, Netflix’s Lincoln Lawyer adaptation successfully brings Michael Connelly’s beloved characters to life. The show’s premise sees Mickey Haller (Garcia-Rulfo) operating a legal practice out of the back of his Lincoln Navigator – explaining his mysterious sobriquet. The show offers a great blend of courtroom intrigue and personal drama, thanks to Halley’s unorthodox approach and appetite for justice. With season 2 released in 2023, The Lincoln Lawyer looks set to have a bright future on the platform.

Available Seasons: 3 | Cast: Wagner Moura (Pablo Escobar), Boyd Holbrook (Steve Murphy), Pedro Pascal (Javier Peña)

A thrilling retelling of the real-life story behind Pablo Escobar and the Medellín cartel, Narcos is both brutal and believable in its portrayal of events. Pedro Pascal and Boyd Holbrook form a compelling double-act as agents intent on bringing Wagner Moura’s Escobar to justice. Moura’s depiction of the notorious drug lord is both sympathetic and terrifying, cementing him as an iconic television villain. Tense and compelling, Narcos deserves its reputation as one of the best shows to watch on Netflix right now.

Available Seasons: 5 | Cast: Bryan Cranston (Walter White), Anna Gunn (Skylar White), Aaron Paul (Jesse Pinkman)

Widely regarded as one of the best TV shows of all time, Breaking Bad has become a cornerstone of modern culture. Following the epic rise and fall of chemistry teacher-turned-drug lord Walter White, the show is both a thrilling crime epic centered on the illicit meth trade and a morality tale warning of the dangers of ambition. The result is a taut, often and unbearably tense thrill ride that only builds as the seasons continue. Bryan Cranston’s central performance remains iconic, while supporting turns from the likes of Anna Gunn and Aaron Paul make Breaking Bad unmissable television.

Available Seasons: 6 | Cast: Bob Odenkirk (Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman/Gene Takovic), Jonathan Banks (Mike Ehrmentraut), Rhea Seehorn (Kim Wexler)

Following Breaking Bad was never going to be easy, yet Better Call Saul does a commendable job of expanding upon, and perhaps even improving its predecessor. Centering on small-time lawyer Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman/Gene Takovic, Better Call Saul brings back a slew of Breaking Bad characters, yet stands on its own merits. The show’s more down-to-Earth narrative and in-depth character study arguably allow Better Call Saul to provide a more nuanced representation of criminal life, making its players even more compelling in the process. Even without Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul easily ranks among the best shows Netflix has to offer.

Available Seasons: 1 | Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy (Beth Harmon), Harry Melling (Herry Beltik), Moses Ingram (Jolene)

A breakout hit open releaseThe Queen’s Gambit transformed the seemingly opaque world of professional chess into something electrifying and surprisingly seductive. Based on the novel by Walter Tevis, the Netflix Original show revolves around Beth Harmon, an orphaned girl who happens to be an undiscovered chess prodigy. Through sharp editing, a tragic script, and Anya Taylor-Joy’s best performance yet, The Queen’s Gambit turns chess matches into dynamic battles where the character’s entire life and reputation seem to be at stake.

Available Seasons: 6 | Cast: Cillian Murphy (Tommy Shelby), Sam Neill (Chief Inspector Campbell), Helen McCrory (Polly Gray), Paul Anderson (Arthur Shelby Jr.)

While the show’s signature aesthetic has become a punchline, there’s no doubt that Peaky Blinders ranks as one of the most gripping TV shows of the past decade. The Cillian Murphy-led show is a brutal crime epic, bringing to life the grime and desperation of Birmingham in the early 1900s. Peaky Blinders offers a chilling and unflinching alternate perspective on British history – playing fast and loose with the facts but effectively examining the psychological damage wrought by trauma and conflict. It’s multiple award nominations and triumphs are a testament to its success.

Available Seasons: 5 | Cast: Claire Foy (Queen Elizabeth), Matt Smith (Prince Phillip), Olivia Colman (Elizabeth), Tobias Menzies (Phillip), Helena Bonham Carter (Princess Margaret), Imelda Staunton (Elizabeth), Jonathan Pryce (Phillip)

A dramatic retelling of British history over the past 70 years, The Crown chronicles the reign Queen Elizabeth II, from its premature beginning to the various controversies that clouded her final years in power. The show perfectly balances political rivalries with the Queen’s personal issues, delivering thorough historical context as years go by and the world inevitably changes. Exploring World War II, the Cold War, and the local unemployment crisis, the show alternates between global-scale conflicts and problems that happen inside the Queen’s home, all of them inextricably linked to her influential presence.

Available Seasons: 7 | Cast: Taylor Schilling (Piper Chapman), Laura Prepon (Alex Vause), Natasha Lyonne (Nicky Nichols), Uzo Aduba (Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren)

Based on a surprisingly true story, Orange is the New Black takes Piper Kerman’s memoir and creates a whole world inside a fictional penitentiary. With Taylor Schilling’s Piper as the lead, OITNB quickly establishes its ensemble of some of the most colorful and well-realized characters ever committed to screen. It is the relationships between these women and their complicated dynamics and stories that make the show so compelling. A sharp comedy-drama that holds up a decade after its release, Orange is the New Black remains a Netflix standout.

Available Seasons: 4 | Cast: Jason Bateman (Marty Byrde), Laura Linney (Wendy Byrde), Sofia Hublitz (Charlotte)

A bleakly realistic drama, Ozark follows in Breaking Bad‘s footsteps as a stern warning about the dangers of a career in crime. Jason Bateman plays Marty Byrde, a financial advisor who finds himself entangled with a Mexican cartel after a money laundering operation goes awry. Part of what makes Ozark so compelling is how Marty’s criminality not only affects him, but soon corrupts his entire family. This wider scope turns the show into a fascinatingly dark character study and an incredibly compelling watch.

Available Seasons: 5 | Cast: Kyle Chandler (Eric Taylor), Connie Britton (Tami Taylor), Zach Gilford (Matt Saracen)

Embodying the feel-good, triumphant tone that helps the best sports dramas to stand out, Friday Night Lights is a suitably inspiring and heartwarming story. The show is set in a fictional town in Texas where high school football is the lifeblood of the local community. Kyle Chandler plays the coach who seeks to turn a disparate band of complicated young men into a team of winners. The show is much more than a football story, and it struck an emotional chord with many viewers. It also helped introduce fans to some great young actors including Taylor Kitsch, Jesse Plemons, and Michael B. Jordan.

Available Seasons: 3 | Cast: Julie Andrews (Narrator), Regé-Jean Page (Simon Basset), Phoebe Dynevor (Daphne Bridgerton), India Amarteifio (young Queen Charlotte), Corey Mylchreest (young King George III), Arsema Thomas (young Agatha, Lady Danbury)

Mixing soap-opera storytelling with salaciousness has proved to be a winning formula for Bridgerton. The award-winning series based on Julia Quinn’s novels is a welcome addition to Netflix’s roster, offering a light-hearted romp through a reimagined Regency-era England. Each series focuses on a different member of the Bridgerton family, following their adventures in life and love while keeping an eye on the wider goings-on at court. The show is infectiously beguiling thanks to committed performances from a talented cast, while the constantly changing focus ensures that every new storyline feels fresh.

A spin-off from the wildly successful main Bridgerton series, Queen Charlotte arguably goes above and beyond the main show with its storytelling and world-building. Like the rest of Bridgerton, the show takes a highly stylized approach to historical events, reimagining the story behind Charlotte and George’s courtship. However, despite questions around accuracy, the show is a hugely entertaining romance that only adds to the richness and vitality of the Bridgerton universe.

Available Seasons: 2 | Cast: Jonathan Groff (Holden Ford), Holt McCallany (Bill Tench)

Despite its disappointingly short run, the Netflix Original series Mindhunter won over true-crime fans by delivering a realistic portrayal of the terrifying, yet fascinating minds of serial killers. Created by David Fincher, the series follows two FBI agents as they interview a range of famous killers to solve open cases and gain greater insight into the criminal psyche. Drawing on Fincher’s own body of work, Mindhunter is compellingly dark, exploring the depths of human depravity without edging into exploitation.

Available Seasons: 5 | Cast: Úrsula Corberó (Tokyo), Álvaro Morte (The Professor), Itziar Ituño (Raquel Murillo), Pedro Alonso (Berlin)

Money Heist is not only one of the best international Netflix shows, but it is also one of the most-watched series on the streaming service full-stop. The movie is a Spanish heist flick that follows two different heists planned out by the mysterious Professor. The first targets the Royal Mint of Spain, while the second involves the Bank of Spain. Told from the point of view of one of the thieves and making liberal use of flashbacks, time jumps, and unreliable narrators, the show keeps viewers on the edge of their seats throughout, explaining its international acclaim and popularity.

Available Seasons: 4 | Cast: Penn Badgley (Joe)

Based on the novels by Caroline Kepnes, You is both a self-contained story about an out-of-control serial killer and a damning indictment of toxic masculinity. In the Netflix series, Penn Badgley plays Joe, a man who often falls hard in love with the women he meets, before killing them when the relationships come to an end. Part of You‘s ingenuity is presenting the narcissistic, poisonous Joe as a charming, sometimes even likable protagonist, before brutally reminding audiences why his behavior is so grotesque. With four seasons and counting, You‘s emotional and psychological trickery has helped cement its status as one of Netflix’s must-watch Originals.

Available Seasons: 1 | Cast: Lee Jung-jae (Seong Gi-hun), Park Hae-soo (Cho Sang-woo), Wi Ha-joon (Hwang Jun ho), HoYeon Jung (Kang Sae-byeok)

Arguably responsible for one of the 2020s biggest cultural moments Squid Game crossed the language barrier to capture the zeitgeist. The show’s tale of unfortunates who believe they are competing in a regular, if eccentric game is soon completely spun on its head when its revealed that anyone who fails a particular challenge is brutally executed. While its graphic violence was certainly notable, it was Squid Game‘s sly societal commentary that really won plaudits. Raising questions around class and capitalism, the show remains as provocative as it is engrossing.

Available Seasons: 1 | Cast: Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, Marcus Mariota

A spiritual successor to Netflix’s hugely successful The Last Dance, Quarterback swaps the trials and tribulations of the basketball court for the pressures of the NFL. This innovative documentary series follows three quarterbacks, each at very different stages of their careers. Through their eyes, the audience gains an incredible understanding of the stresses and strains in any professional football career, pulling back the veil on one of America’s most popular sports, all while underscoring the humanity of its protagonists.

Available Seasons: 1 | Cast: Gemma Hoskins, Abbie Fitzgerald Schaub

Exploring the 1969 unsolved murder of nun Catherine Cesnik, The Keepers is a 7-part docuseries that massively boosts Netflix’s reputation as a destination for true crime fans. Disturbing at times, but expertly crafted, The Keepers stands head and shoulders above the likes of Tiger King and Making A Murderer (which both over-extended themselves). As the series reveals more of its thesis, The Keepers expertly navigates the potential for tasteless sensationalism, preserving a respectful tone for the victim. It’s a triumph of story-telling, inspiring and haunting in equal measure.

Available Seasons: 1 | Cast: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman (Themselves)

Though there are a number of great sports documentaries on Netflix, none have captured the public’s attention quite like The Last Dance. The docuseries offers an in-depth look at the amazing career of basketball icon Michael Jordan and his defining final season with the Chicago Bulls. Along with eye-opening commentary from Jordan himself and his teammates, the series is a fascinating look at the drive and determination that made him the superstar he was.

Available Seasons: 1 | Cast: Sir David Attenborough

Earth’s greatest nature film-maker, Sir David Attenborough, is a hallmark of quality when it comes to natural world documentaries, and Attenborough’s Life In Colour is a typical slick, at times downright astonishing addition to his CV. Another collaboration with the BBC, the mini-series is just 3 episodes long, but feels like a Greatest Hits of what makes Attenborough’s fascination with our world so compelling.

Available Seasons: 3 | Cast: Asa Butterfield (Otis Milburn), Gillian Anderson (Jean Milburn), Emma Mackey (Maeve Wiley)

Expertly balancing laugh-out-loud comedy with poignancy and sincerity, Sex Education took the world by storm after its release and hasn’t looked back. Initially following Otis and his ill-fated decision to start a career as an amateur sex therapist, the show has since expanded to focus on a colorful roster of supporting characters. Tackling topics as potentially fraught as gender identity, mental health, and teenage sex is not easy for any show. However, Sex Education pulls off the balancing act without ever coming across as preachy or out of touch – a small miracle, considering the graveyard of shows that have attempted similar feats.

Available Seasons: 6 | Cast: Joel McHale (Jeff Winger), Gillian Jacobs (Britta Perry), Alison Brie (Annie Edison), Donald Glover (Troy Barnes)

A surreal and contemporaneously underrated comedy classic, Community challenges the conventions of the genre at every turn. Dan Harmon’s cult hit uses its community college setting as a launchpad for all sorts of madcap adventures, placing its colorful cast of characters in a series of unlikely yet hilarious situations. The show’s tumultuous history (which involved Harmon’s firing and rehiring, followed by the entire series’ cancelation and comeback) was entirely apt given the nature of events on screen. Even though Community went underappreciated in its time, its unforgettable pop culture references and star-studded cast ensure that its status as a modern cult sensation is richly deserved.

Available Seasons: 9 | Cast: Jerry Seinfeld (Jerry), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Elaine Benes), Michael Richards (Kramer), Jason Alexander (George Costanza)

Seinfeld has one of the best ensemble casts of any comedy show and refined many sitcom conventions that are still used to this day. The story revolves around stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who plays a caricature of himself, plus his two best friends and his peculiar neighbor. Seinfeld‘s legendary characters and surprising sentimentality belie its reputation as the “show about nothing,” a famous moniker that does it a disservice. Even though the wider narrative rarely progresses and the characters remain intrinsically the same until the end, the gags and endlessly funny situations explain why Seinfeld remains enduringly popular.

Available Seasons: 5 | Cast: Dwayne Johnson (Spencer Strasmore), John David Washington (Ricky Jerret), Donovan W. Carter (Vernon Littlefield), Troy Garity (Jason Antolotti), Omar Benson Miller (Charles Greane), Rob Corddry (Joe Krutel)

Created by Boardwalk Empire‘s Stephen Levinson, Ballers is the sports comedy-drama answer to Entourage that trades heavily on the charisma of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. He plays former NFL star Spencer Strasmore, who rebrands as a financial manager to other pro footballers, including the excellent John David Washington’s Ricky Jerrett. Sealed with the usual stamp of quality that comes with an HBO production, Ballers is a sharply-written, easy-to-watch addition to the Netflix catalog that boasts exactly the kind of swagger you’d expect from Hollywood’s most famous eyebrow-raiser.

Available Seasons: 2 | Cast: Natasha Lyonne (Nadia Vulvokov)

Before Natasha Lyonne led one of the best whodunits on Peacock with Poker Face, she enjoyed her true breakout role with one of the best Netflix shows, the psycho-comedy-drama Russian Doll. Lyonne plays Nadia, a woman who dies and then returns in a time-loop with no idea how to get out of it. The show won acclaim for its razor-sharp script and elegantly complex narrative, with particular praise reserved for Lyonne’s performance. The former Orange is the New Black star picked up a Primetime Emmy nomination and returned for a Russian Doll season 2 in 2022.

Available Seasons: 6 | Cast: Will Arnett (Bojack Horseman), Amy Sedaris (Princess Carolyn), Alison Brie (Diane Nguyen), Paul F. Tompkins (Mr. Peanutbutter), Aaron Paul (Todd Chavez)

Part of the new wave of adult animation that swept onto screens in the 2000s, BoJack Horseman stands apart for its surreal inventiveness. Comfortable in its own absurdity, the show sees an anthropomorphic horse come to terms with his failing career and erratic behavior, navigating a twisted version of Los Angeles. Despite its bizarre premise, the show’s arcs are still surprisingly grounded and touch on existential issues with hints of acid humor. One of the breakout success stories for Netflix original content, BoJack Horseman remains one of the service’s most binge-able series to date.

Available Seasons: 6 | Cast: Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein, Jason Mantzoukas, Jenny Slate, Fred Armisen, Maya Rudolph (All Various)

Gleefully vulgar, and yet undeniably honest, Big Mouth turns the horrors of puberty into an absurd, profane nightmare. Following the main cast’s journey through adolescence, the show expertly negotiates complex topics through the use of “Hormone Monsters” – physical embodiments of the changes that take place in children’s bodies. The deliberately graphic nature of the show actually allows Big Mouth to tackle some potentially fraught topics in a surprisingly deft and sensitive way, giving voice to many real experiences in the form of crude, cartoonish therapy. One of the best and most successful Netflix shows in any genre, Big Mouth is proof positive that debauchery can still have a heart.

Available Seasons: 3 | Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Gail), Topher Grace (Rob), Fred Tatasciore (Bound God, Various)

An adult-animated anthology series created by Tim Miller (Deadpool), Love, Death & Robots is an inventive patchwork of moralistic sci-fi stories. Each episode takes an idea of either love, death, or robots, and tells stories that are often post-apocalyptic or high fantasy in flavor, and almost all with a morality tale at its soul. There have been three seasons of Love, Death & Robots so far, and each animated short is created by different animation teams, giving the individual installments a unique aesthetic and feel. It has won several awards, including a number from the Primetime Emmys.

Available Seasons: 4 | Cast: Nick Lachey, Vanessa Lachey (hosts)

How could you not be immediately grabbed by a Reality TV show premise as wholesome as Love Is Blind, where strangers are encouraged to fall in love without ever seeing each other. Over the course of 14-16 episodes and 10 days, fifteen men and fifteen women embark on blind speed dating, that then escalates to a proposal, at which stage the engaged couples meet and reverse engineer a relationship, ultimately deciding whether they should stay together. Inevitably, everything escalates into a far more chaotic, ultimately bingeable experience that throws in the kind of drama that only comes when humans are allowed to interact untethered of scripts.

Available Seasons: 1 | Cast: Kaiji Von Tang (narrator)

South Korean Reality TV show Physical 100 is as close to a real-life Squid Game as Netflix will get without going full Mr Beast, only without the post-modern horror tropes. Instead of a Battle Royale-like death race, Physical 100 sees 100 participants compete across a number of intense physical challenges to find “the ideal of human physique”. It may sound exhausting, but in the age of fitness influencers, watching athletes compete in tests of pure prowess is gripping, particularly for those Reality TV fans looking for a palate-cleanser from relationship drama.

Available Seasons: 1 | Cast: Nick Lachey (host)

Another Reality TV dating show from the mind of Netflix’s RTV supremo Chris Coelen (notably also behind Married At First Sight and The Ultimatum), Perfect Match is a Greatest Hits of Reality shows, bringing together already familiar stars. The returning Netflix stars compete to form couples, then turn match-makers for other single contestants as everyone competes to become the winning Match. As dating shows go, it’s a perfect blend of cheese and an irresistible premise, benefiting from Coelen’s years of craft in the genre.

Available Seasons: 6 | Cast: Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Noel Fielding

Of all the cooking-based Reality TV shows across the TV landscape, none come close to the UK original, The Great British Baking Show, for good-old fashioned wholesome eating. Officially in its 14th season in 2023, the baking competition has the last 6 seasons available on Netflix, hosted by Sandi Toksvig, Matt Lucas and the unmistakable Noel Fielding, with judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith on the look-out for soggy bottoms. Eschewing some of the cheaper drama of post-Gordon Ramsay TV cooking shows, The Great British Baking Show centers the food, but manages to capture a beautiful portrait of Britishness that is never quaint, but is thoroughly charming.

Available Seasons: 6 | Cast: KJ Apa (Archie Andrews), Lili Reinhart (Betty Cooper), Camila Mendes (Veronica Lodge), Cole Sprouse (Jughead)

Based on the popular characters from Archie comics, Riverdale is a much darker and brooding teen show than some fans of the source material might expect. Set in the small town of Riverdale, it follows the likes of Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead as they navigate a heady cocktail of typical teen issues, from romance to parents, and a murder mystery with supernatural shenanigans. The show was a surprise hit from the beginning and has only burnished its legacy with seven successful seasons.

Available Seasons: 5 | Cast: Caitríona Balfe (Claire Fraser), Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser), Tobias Menzies (Jonathan Randall)

Part sci-fi, part fantasy, Outlander is an epic romance series that defies description, yet has captivated audiences for all of its six seasons. The series is based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon and tells the story of Claire Beauchamp Randall (Caitriona Balfe), a nurse in World War II who finds herself transported back in time where she meets and falls for the dashing Highland warrior Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan). The mix of time travel and romance works surprisingly well, while the evocation of different time periods makes Outlander a unique viewing experience.

Available Seasons: 2 | Cast: Nonso Anozie (Tommy Jeppard), Christian Convery (Gus), Adeel Akhtar (Dr. Aditya Singh)

Based on the comic of the same name, Sweet Tooth is an ambitious fantasy series that isn’t afraid to push beyond its celebrated source material. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the emergence of “hybrids,” part human and part animal beings, has irreparably altered life on earth. The show follows a young hybrid boy on his journey of survival across a dangerous world in which he is often not welcome. The epic adventure story and fantasy elements are mixed with a relatable parable about modern intolerance.

Available Seasons: 3 | Cast: Henry Cavill (Geralt), Anya Chalotra (Yennefer), Freya Allan (Ciri)

One of the biggest titles on the platform, The Witcher brings the popular book series to life while expanding the franchise in bold and innovative ways. Henry Cavill stars as Geralt, a warrior in a fantasy world who specializes in fighting monsters while traversing the strange and dangerous land. The show’s third season marks Cavill’s final season as Geralt with Liam Hemsworth set to take over the role. Despite the casting change, Netflix has still promised The Witcher will deliver monster mayhem and epic fantasy storytelling for many seasons to come – which is just as well, given its passionate and vocal following.

Available Seasons: 15 | Cast: Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester), Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester), Misha Collins (Castiel)

There probably hasn’t been a more successful fantasy television series in history than Supernatural. The story of Sam and Dean Winchester and their war against demons, monsters, angels, and even God himself, lasted for 15 seasons on The CW and every season is available to stream on Netflix. The show offers fans of fantasy and horror a lot to love, from the monster of the week episodes to the overall mythology that builds slowly but steadily through its entire run.

Available Seasons: 1 | Cast: Tom Sturridge (Morpheus), Boyd Holbrook (The Corinthian), Vivienne Acheampong (Lucienne), Patton Oswalt (Matthew the Raven)

For many years, Neil Gaiman fans wondered if his seminal comic book work, The Sandman, would ever make it to the big or small screen. Much of the story seemed almost unfilmable, yet that didn’t stop Netflix from attempting the impossible. Thankfully, the result was a resounding success. Tom Sturridge stars as Morpheus, also known as Dream, the king of the world of dreams. The show starts with his capture and eventual release, and the first season sees him try to rebuild his kingdom and fix a world that has fallen into despair without its dreams. Vividly imaginative and beguiling, The Sandman proves that Netflix can take on the most ambitious of projects.

Available Seasons: 3 | Cast: Elliot Page (Viktor Hargreeves), Tom Hopper (Luther Hargreeves), Emmy Raver-Lampman (Allison Hargreeves), Colm Feore (Sir Reginald Hargreeves)

Based on the comic book series by Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba, The Umbrella Academy tells the story of the Hargreeves family – seven children born with superpowers adopted by a wealthy eccentric billionaire. After their adoptive father dies, the now dysfunctional siblings have to join forces to stop the apocalypse. However, as the story descends into a complex web of time travel, doppelgangers, and alternate realities, it’s clear that saving the world is far from straightforward. With The Umbrella Academy season 4 promising to tell the closing chapter of the six-time Emmy-nominated series, the show has already secured its status as a cult genre hit.

Available Seasons: 8 | Cast: Stephen Amell (Oliver Queen), Katie Cassidy (Laurel Lance), Colin Donnell (Tommy Merlyn)

In an era dominated by superhero stories, Arrow was somewhat ahead of its time. Debuting in 2012, the series proved that it was possible to tell a compelling, street-level superhero story without the hugely expensive special effects seen in cinematic outings. Following Oliver Queen, a billionaire playboy who becomes a crime-fighting vigilante, Arrow laid the groundwork for the likes of The Flash and Daredevil, inadvertently showing how DC properties could best compete with the growing Marvel juggernaut.

Available Seasons: 9 | Cast: Grant Gustin (Barry Allen), Candice Patton (Iris West), Danielle Panabaker (Killer West), Carlos Valdes (Vibe), Tom Cavanagh (Eobard Thawne), Jesse L. Martin (Joe West)

Perhaps the best of all the DC shows on the CW, The Flash is the benchmark for televisual comic-book storytelling. The show chronicles the crimefighting adventures of Barry Allen (a.k.a. The Flash), a speedster who gained his powers after an accident that also turned several other people into heroes and villains in his city. The show has crossed over with most of the other DC shows on The CW, and it remains one of the best Netflix TV shows in the superhero subgenre.

Available Seasons: 6 | Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard (Lacie), Jesse Plemons (Robert Daly), Hayley Atwell (Martha)

Black Mirror is a paranoid sci-fi anthology series in the vein of The Twilight Zone, with the twist that every episode returns to the fear and distrust of technology. The show started out on Channel 4 in the U.K. before Netflix took over, increasing Black Mirror‘s budget and ambition, as well as making it one of the best Netflix shows. Huge names have joined the cast over the course of its run, creating some of the most brilliantly subversive television in recent memory. Top episodes include San Junipero and USS Callister, both of which won a Primetime Emmy Award.

Available Seasons: 4 | Cast: Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Hopper), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven)

Stranger Things has been one of Netflix’s most important shows since its summer 2016 debut, perfectly combining 80s nostalgia with a gripping story and beautifully realized characters. Using beloved tropes from the sci-fi and horror genres and applying them to an original story, Stranger Things manages to feel familiar and innovative at the same time. Its structure usually follows three different arcs: the older people, forced out of their uneventful life to uncover a series of mysteries, the young adults, trying to figure out their feelings for each other while protecting those they love, and the kids, shocked by the disappearance of one of them and dealing with the loss of their innocence. These ingredients combine to make one of the most impactful and best TV shows on Netflix.

Available Seasons: 3 | Cast: Louis Hoffman (Jonas Kahnwald), Lisa Vicari (Martha Nielsen)

Set in a small German town with a story that spans centuries, Dark is a compellingly complex thriller that deserves its place on any best-of Netflix list. When the search for a missing child goes wrong, Dark transports the narrative to the past via a mysterious wormhole underneath a nuclear power plant. With the same actors playing characters across the span of time, the show becomes a surreal character study, exploring the trauma that shapes characters in the present, before suggesting what might await them in the future. With three seasons to enjoy – plus, a widely praised ending – Dark is one of the most satisfying sci-fi series on the platform.

Available Seasons: 2 | Cast: Kento Yamazaki (Ryōhei Arisu), Tao Tsuchiya (Yuzuha Usagi), Yūki Morinaga (Chōta Segawa)

Based on the manga by Haro Aso, Alice in Borderland is a dystopian blend of Squid Game and Saw. The show’s intriguing premise sees a group of players transported to an abandoned version of Tokyo, where they are forced to participate in a series of games for their own survival. Having picked up rave reviews for its debut season, Alice in Borderland returned in 2022 with an equally twisted follow-up. It’s underhand narrative is guaranted to keep viewers guessing, making the show a great sci-fi thriller.

Available Seasons: 4 | Cast: Melissa Roxburgh (Michaela Stone), Josh Dallas (Ben Stone), J.R. Ramirez (Jared Vasquez), Luna Blaise (Olive Stone), Parveen Kaur (Saanvi Bahl), Matt Long (Zeke Landon)

Initially canceled by NBC after its first 3 season run, supernatural sci-fi drama Manifest gained a second life when it dropped on Netflix, topping the binging charts so impressively that a fourth and final season was commissioned for the platform. Eventually dodging the dreaded “new Lost” label that was an inevitable result of its “airplane + mystery + ensemble cast” equation, Manifest endured and improved thanks to an excellent central cast. Unlike a lot of high-concept sci-fi shows, Manifest doesn’t crumble under the weight of its own concept, instead staying in the easy-watch bracket that makes it perfect for Netflix.

Available Seasons: 2 | Cast: Joel Kinnaman (Takeshi Kovacs, season 1), James Purefoy (Laurens Bancroft), Anthony Mackie (Takeshi Kovacs, season 2)

Glamorous and gritty, with a debt to the likes of Blade Runner, Altered Carbon ranks as one of the best Netflix sci-fi shows. Set in a dystopian future in which the human consciousness can be uploaded via technology, the show saw Joel Kinnaman and Anthony Mackie play different versions of the same highly-skilled operative and terrorist leader. Spanning multiple time periods and shining a light on modern societal issues with its central premise, Altered Carbon offers a gothic alternative to more light-hearted science fiction series.

Available Seasons: 1 | Cast: Zach Gilford (Riley Flynn), Hamish Linklater (Father Paul Hill), Rahul Kohli (Sheriff Hassan), Kate Siegel (Erin Greene)

A deliberately paced and deeply atmospheric horror, Midnight Mass is an emotional update to the classic vampire story. Set in a remote and isolated island, the main plot revolves around a mysterious creature brought to the community that the residents believe can grant healing powers. However, it soon becomes clear that much more malevolent forces are at play, turning the townsfolk against each other. Artfully shot and relying on more than jump scares for its chills, Midnight Mass ranks as one of Mike Flanagan’s most effective horror projects.

Available Seasons: 1 | Cast: Evan Peters (Jeffrey Dahmer), Molly Ringwald (Shari Dahmer)

Despite their grim content, true-crime dramas remain a huge draw for audiences and Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is no exception. Evan Peters gives a chilling performance as Jeffrey Dahmer, a serial killer who still haunts the public to this day due to the grisly nature of his crimes. The controversial series takes a look at Dahmer himself, the lives of his victims, and the incompetency of the law enforcement agents whose multiyear investigation was filled with mistakes that cost lives.

Available Seasons: 11 | Cast: Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes), Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon), Melissa McBride (Carol Peletier)

Based on the popular comic book series of the same name, The Walking Dead follows the various survivors in a new world overrun by zombies. As they fight for survival against the undead hordes as well as equally dangerous human enemies, the group attempt to avoid becoming monsters themselves. The Walking Dead‘s deliberate pacing has drawn praise and criticism in equal measure, yet allowed the show to create one of the most expansive and well-realized casts in TV history. With the universe continually expanding thanks to a series of Walking Dead spinoffs, the show’s enduring influence on the zombie genre as a whole should not be underestimated.

Available Seasons: 1 | Cast: Carla Gugino (Olivia Crain), Henry Thomas (Hugh Crain), Elizabeth Reaser (Shirley Crain), Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Luke Crain), Kate Siegel (Theodora Crain), Victoria Pedretti (Eleanor Crain)

One of creator Mike Flanagan’s many Netflix projects, The Haunting of Hill House raised the bar for what stream service horror could be. Combining effective jump scares with a carefully constructed melancholy narrative, the show took inspiration from Shirley Jackson’s iconic novel and gave it a new lease on life. Updating the source material, The Haunting of Hill House centred on the trauma of five children, all defined by their experience growing up at the titular manor. Chilling throughout, The Haunting of Hill House remains among the best shows to watch on Netflix right now.