50 best shows on Netflix
While there isn’t a definitive ranking of the absolute best shows, here are some highly-rated shows on Netflix in May 2024 to get you started across various genres:
Drama
- Stranger Things (2016)
- Winona Ryder and David Harbour star in this sci-fi drama set in the 1980s about a group of kids who uncover a secret government experiment.
- The Crown (2016)
- This lavish historical drama chronicles the political rivalries and romantic intrigues of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and the events that shaped the 20th century.
- Ozark (2017)
- Jason Bateman and Laura Linney excel in this drama about a financial advisor who relocates his family to the Ozarks to launder money for a Mexican drug cartel.
- Peaky Blinders (2013)
- Cillian Murphy stars in this British gangster drama set in Birmingham, England, shortly after World War I.
- The Good Place (2016)
- Kristen Bell stars in this comedy about a woman who mistakenly ends up in heaven after leading a less than virtuous life.
Comedy
- Wednesday (2022)
- This spin-off of the Addams Family focuses on Wednesday Addams as a student at Nevermore Academy.
- Cobra Kai (2018)
- William Zabka and Ralph Macchio star in this follow-up to the Karate Kid films, which sees Johnny Lawrence reopen the Cobra Kai dojo.
- Master of None (2015)
- Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang co-created this comedy series that explores Aziz’s experiences with love, friendship, and career in modern-day New York City.
- Kim’s Convenience (2016)
- This heartwarming sitcom follows a Korean-Canadian family who run a convenience store in Toronto.
- The Great British Baking Show (2010)
- This beloved reality show features amateur bakers competing in a series of challenges.
Documentaries
- Unbelievable (2019)
- This powerful true-crime documentary miniseries tells the story of a young woman who was repeatedly raped and then disbelieved by the police.
- Our Planet (2019)
- This visually stunning documentary series explores the natural world and the impact of climate change.
- The Social Dilemma (2020)
- This documentary examines the negative impacts of social media on society.
- Tiger King (2020)
- This wild documentary series explores the life of Joe Exotic, an eccentric zoo owner who breeds big cats.
- Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (2021)
- This documentary series chronicles the hunt for the Night Stalker, a serial killer who terrorized Los Angeles in the 1980s.
Animation
- Arcane (2021)
- This visually stunning animated series is based on the League of Legends video game.
- The Witcher (2019)
- Henry Cavill stars in this fantasy series based on the book and video game series of the same name.
- BoJack Horseman (2014)
- Big Mouth (2017)
- This hilarious and sometimes cringe-worthy coming-of-age story follows a group of middle schoolers navigating puberty. (Warning: This show is for mature audiences only due to strong sexual content and language.)
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005)
- This critically-acclaimed animated series follows Aang, the Avatar, who must master all four elements to restore balance to the world.
Sci-Fi
- Black Mirror (2011)
- This anthology series explores the dark side of technology and its potential impact on society.
- The Sandman (2023)
- Tom Sturridge stars in this fantasy series based on the Neil Gaiman comic book series of the same name.
- Altered Carbon (2018)
- In a future where consciousness can be downloaded into new bodies, a criminal gets a second chance at life.
- Umbrella Academy (2019)
- A dysfunctional family of adopted siblings who all possess unique superpowers reunite just in time for a global apocalypse.
- The OA (2016)
- A blind woman who went missing for seven years returns home, now able to see, but with mysterious secrets.
Crime
- Mindhunter (2017)
- Two FBI agents interview serial killers in the 1970s to try and understand their motivations.
- You (2018)
- Penn Badgley stars in this thriller as a bookstore manager who develops an unhealthy obsession with a customer. (Warning: This show contains stalking, violence, and sexual assault.)
- Dead to Me (2019)
- Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini star in this dark comedy about two women who become friends after they both lose their husbands in hit-and-run accidents.
- The Fall (2013)
- Gillian Anderson stars in this British crime thriller as a detective hunting down a serial killer in Belfast.
- Narcos (2015)
- This historical drama chronicles the rise and fall of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.
Reality TV
- Love is Blind (2020)
- Singles in pods go on dates without ever seeing each other. If they connect, they get engaged and then meet in person for the first time.
- The Circle (2020)
- Contestants compete in a popularity contest where they only interact with each other through a social media platform.
- Nailed It! (2018)
- Amateur bakers attempt to recreate elaborate cakes and desserts.
- RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009)
- Drag queens compete in challenges that test their skills in fashion, makeup, performance, and more.
- Queer Eye (2018)
- The Fab Five help people transform their lives with fashion, grooming, food, culture, and design tips.
Limited Series
- The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
- Maid (2021)
- Margaret Qualley stars in this miniseries about a young mother who escapes an abusive relationship and cleans houses for a living.
- When They See Us (2019)
- This miniseries tells the true story of the Central Park Five, five teenagers of color who were wrongly convicted of a brutal assault in New York City.
- Inventing Anna (2022)
- Julia Garner stars in this miniseries about a young woman who deceives New York City’s elite by posing as a wealthy German heiress.
- The Staircase (2004)
- This true-crime docuseries explores the mysterious death of Kathleen Peterson, a novelist found dead at the bottom of her staircase.
Family
- Heartstopper (2022)
- This coming-of-age story follows two British teens, Charlie and Nick, as they navigate friendship and romance.
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Wednesday (2022)(already mentioned earlier)
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The Dragon Prince (2018)
- Two human princes forge an unlikely bond with a banished elf assassin in a world filled with wonder and magic.
- Carmen Sandiego (2019)
- Gina Rodriguez voices the iconic international thief in this educational animated series.
- The Magic School Bus Rides Again (2017)
- Ms. Frizzle and her students return for a new generation of wacky science adventures.
Korean Dramas
- Squid Game (2021)
- Desperate people compete in deadly children’s games for a chance to win a life-changing amount of money.
- Crash Landing on You (2019)
- A South Korean paraglider accidentally crash-lands in North Korea and is helped by a handsome North Korean soldier.
- Hospital Playlist (2020)
- Five doctors who have been friends since medical school navigate the ups and downs of life and work at a busy hospital.
- Goblin (2016)
- A centuries-old goblin searches for his bride to break a curse and find peace.
- Vincenzo (2021)
- Song Joong-ki stars as a Korean-Italian lawyer who returns to Korea and uses his mafia connections to fight for justice.
This list provides a starting point for exploring Netflix’s vast library in May 2024. Remember, these are just some of the many great shows available. With so many options to choose from, you’re sure to find something you’ll love!