The 14 Absolutely Best Netflix Original Series of All Time

Netflix’s rotating lineup of excellent shows aside, their impressive original series and programming collection are not to be missed. These are Masterpieces on the Screen. These are the best shows that have captivated audiences, and you should watch them ASAP!

Amazing Netflix Original Series

Pêpê Rapazote in Narcos Season 3
Image Credit: Nicole Rivelli/NETFLIX.

Netflix creates some of the best shows. If you are looking for something to watch the next time you open your Netflix account, here are some of the best original Netflix series.

Someone posted on Reddit, “What’s your best Netflix original series of all time?” The answers are a great list of shows that you can add to your watching queue or binge-watch right now!

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. (L to R) Hugh Sachs as Brimsley, Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte in episode 101 of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
Cr. Liam Daniel/Netflix.

This Bridgerton prequel was a huge hit for Bridgerton fans and haters alike. While the story exists in the Bridgerton-verse, it had a very different tone from the other two seasons, becoming more dark and gritty as opposed to the cotton-candy love story the original Bridgerton story shows. Even if you weren’t a fan of the original series, checking out the new show is a must!

Love

Paul Rust, Gillian Jacobs in Love
Image Credit: Suzanne Hanover / Netflix.

“That’s a really good one actually; I had almost forgotten about it. The characters were very much relatable, and the plot arc was pretty compelling. I think they could have done a fourth season, but what we got didn’t feel incomplete by any means,” said one Redditor.

Synopsis: Rebellious Mickey and good-natured Gus navigate the thrills and agonies of modern relationships.

Mindhunter

Anna Torv in Mindhunter
Image Credit: Netlflix.

“Fantastic show. I still have hope they will take the show off hold and make a 3rd season,” said one person.

Synopsis: FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench probe further into the psyches of those who have done the unthinkable. With help from psychologist Wendy Carr, they apply their groundbreaking behavioral analysis to hunting notorious serial killers.

Ozark

Jason Bateman as Marty Byrde in Season 4 Part 2 Episode 4 of Ozark
Image Credit: TINA ROWDEN/NETFLIX.

“OZARK……Extremely ORIGINAL STORYLINE. The writing, the acting, my gosh! Series like this one give me hope that the future is not full of the same old regurgitated c***”, replied one person.

Synopsis: Ozark is a thrilling drama set in the present-day and follows the Byrde family’s journey from their normal, suburban Chicago life to their dangerous criminal enterprise in the Ozarks, Missouri.

Dark

Moritz Jahn, Jordis Triebel, Lisa Vicari Dark Season 1
Image Credit: Jan Rasmus Voss/Netflix.

“I wish I could forget it so I could get the same level of satisfaction I had the first time I watched it,” responded someone.

Synopsis: Upon arrival in a new world, Jonas tries to make sense of what this rendition of Winden means for his own fate, while the ones left behind in the other world are left on a quest to break the loop that now not only bends time but also space. Two worlds. Light and dark. And in the center, a tragic love story of epic proportions.

Travelers

MacKenzie Porter on Travelers
Image Credit: Netflix

“I really liked Travelers” one person said. Another agreed, “Ditto. I didn’t like the rapid wrap up at the end of the season but I appreciate that they did it because they had not been renewed for an additional season.”

Synopsis: Grant MacLaren and his team of highly-trained operatives from the future are pushed to the limit and dealing with themes of loyalty, trust, death, and the ever-growing power of Artificial Intelligence.

Narcos

Pêpê Rapazote in Narcos Season 3
Image Credit: Nicole Rivelli/NETFLIX.

“Top tier acting” said one person, “but the gunfights are straight up bad, still would recommend, but give those action scenes some leniency haha.”

Synopsis: This raw, gritty series chronicles the gripping real-life stories of the drug kingpins of the late 1980s and the corroborative efforts of law enforcement to meet them head-on in brutal, bloody conflict.

Bojack Horseman

Bojack Horseman
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix.

“I tell everyone who will listen that the funeral episode is the single best episode of any show I’ve ever seen,” said one Redditor.

Synopsis: BoJack Horseman is the washed-up star of the 1990s sitcomHorsin’ Around, which centered around a young bachelor horse trying to raise three human children who had been orphaned.

The Haunting of Hill House

The Haunting of Hill House
Image Credit: Steve Dietl/Netflix.

“I love Haunting of a hill House for the best scare and Midnight Mass for its depth and relevance. Both are my favourites” said one person.

Synopsis: The Haunting of Hill House is a modern reimagining of Shirley Jackson’s legendary novel of the same name, about five siblings who grew up in the most famous haunted house in America.

The Queen’s Gambit

THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT (L to R) ANYA TAYLOR-JOY as BETH HARMON in episode 107 of THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT
Image Credit: PHIL BRAY/NETFLIX.

“Queen Gambit was sooo satisfying, not a dull moment, great actors, perfect ending. Love it when they don’t drag sh*t for no reason, one person responded.

Synopsis: Based on the novel by Walter Tevis, the Netflix limited series drama is a coming-of-age story that explores the true cost of genius.

Maniac

Jonah Hill, Emma Stone in Manaic
Image Credit: Michele K. Short / Netflix.

“Thank god this gets love. One of my favorite things Netflix has ever produced,” said one person, “The ending hits home, absolutely fantastic series.”

Synopsis: Set in a world somewhat like our world, in a time quite similar to our time, Maniac tells the stories of Annie Landsberg and Owen Milgrim, two strangers drawn to the late stages of a mysterious pharmaceutical trial, each for their own reasons.

Orange Is the New Black

Taylor Schilling in OITNB Orange is the New Black
Image Credit: Paul Shiraldi/Netflix.

One person said, “[I] Rewatch it once a year from start to finish. The acting is incredible.”

Synopsis: Orange is the New Black is the outrageous and critically-acclaimed series about a diverse group of inmates serving time in a women’s prison.

Love, Death and Robots

Love, Death & Robots: Volume 3. Gary Anthony Williams as XBOT 4000 in Love, Death & Robots: Volume 3
Image Credits: Netflix.

One person really appreciated this show, “This is the thing I appreciate Netflix for the most. Any network or streaming service can pick up standard drama or comedy but to take a chance on some high production animated shorts from different studios feels like a serious investment in art. I think LDaR is just a little peek at what studios are capable of given the funding.”

Synopsis: Terror, imagination, and beauty combine in new episodes which stretch from uncovering an ancient evil to a comedic apocalypse, telling startling short stories of fantasy, horror, and science-fiction with trademark wit and visual invention.

Bridgerton

Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton in episode 205 of Bridgerton
Image Credit: LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX.

This one is my own addition because I absolutely love this show and everything about it.

Synopsis: Bridgerton is a romantic, scandalous, and quick-witted series that celebrates the timelessness of enduring friendships, families finding their way, and the search for a love that conquers all.

12 TV Shows That Are Often Called “The Best TV Show Ever”

Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson in Mad Men.
Photo Credit: Michael Yarish/AMC.

This is such a subjective topic. While I’d love to share my thoughts on the best TV show ever, I thought it would be better to scour the internet to find out what, in your opinion, is the best show ever from a variety of fans.

12 Shows Often Called “The Best TV Show Ever”

The Abrupt Endings of These 8 Netflix Shows That Left Viewers Unsatisfied

Timothy Olyphant, Drew Barrymore in Santa Clarita Diet Season 2
Image Credit: Saeed Adyani/Netflix.

The worst part of having your favorite show canceled is that you never get to see the ending and never find out what happened to all the characters. If there was a good ending, the fans might not be upset!

The Abrupt Endings of These 8 Netflix Shows That Left Viewers Unsatisfied

 

10 Overrated Netflix Shows That Didn’t Live Up to the Hype

Outer Banks. Rudy Pankow as JJ in episode 303 of Outer Banks
Image Credit: JACKSON LEE DAVIS/NETFLIX.

Ever watched a show that was so hyped up but you thought was terrible? The show everyone was talking about and watching and you just couldn’t see the appeal? That was the question posted on Reddit, “Which Netflix show is overrated?”

9 Most Overrated Netflix Shows

7 True Crime Shows on Netflix That Are Criminally Addictive

Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives. Sarma Melngailis in Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix.

Love learning about real-life crime and can’t get enough? Netflix has become the go-to for binge-able series about crimes and the criminals who commit them.

7 True Crime Shows on Netflix That Are Criminally Addictive

Unpopular Opinion: 15 Shows Everyone Raved About, but We Couldn’t Stand

Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton in episode 205 of Bridgerton
Image Credit: LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX.

Ever been excited about a show that someone recommended, but you couldn’t get into it? A show that everyone loved, but you couldn’t stand it? Here are 15 shows people couldn’t get into despite the hype.

Unpopular Opinion: These 15 Shows Everyone Raved About, But We Couldn’t Stand

Hi! I am a millennial mom with a passion for personal finance. I have always been “into” personal finance but got inspired to start my blog after a period of extended unemployment. That experience really changed the way I viewed my relationship with money and the importance of accessible personal finance education.