Yearly, there are literally thousands of new TV shows launched world wide — some on conventional tv and much more on streaming providers. Clearly, solely a small variety of these are literally good exhibits, and even fewer should be referred to as “masterpieces.” But, as uncommon as they’re, these exhibits are the rationale why the small display screen has continued to captivate audiences and form the cultural panorama for practically a century.
Because of streaming providers, world audiences now have unprecedented entry to a number of the finest exhibits produced in each nook of the globe, and it’s led to many people discovering and appreciating nice works of tv that we might in any other case by no means have heard of. Netflix has performed a major half in that improvement, and the service is dwelling to most of the best exhibits of current occasions. Learn on to find our choice of the best TV masterpieces that you would be able to stream on Netflix proper now.
For extra suggestions, make sure to take a look at our lists of the perfect movies and shows on Netflix, the best animated shows on Netflix, and movies with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score on Netflix.
Disclaimer: These titles can be found on US Netflix.
‘Child Reindeer’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 7.7/10
- Launch Date
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2024 – 2023
- Administrators
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Weronika Tofilska, Josephine Bornebusch
- Writers
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Richard Gadd
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Jessica Gunning
Martha Scott
Created by and starring Scottish comic Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer is a seven-episode drama-thriller miniseries tailored from Gadd’s autobiographical one-man present. The sequence was produced by Clerkenwell Movies, who beforehand produced Netflix’s The Finish of the F***ing World. Impressed by its star’s real-life experiences, the present follows a younger struggling comic who’s stalked by an obsessive lady. Because the state of affairs progresses, it brings up traumatic reminiscences from his previous that proceed to affect his life within the current. Apart from Gadd within the lead position, the present additionally stars Jessica Gunning, Nava Mau, and Tom Goodman-Hill.
Child Reindeer was an instantaneous hit when it first premiered on Netflix in April 2024, shortly hitting the streamer’s High 10 lists and receiving glowing evaluations. A posh and brilliantly conceived sequence with a darkly humorous narrative, the present has been virtually universally acclaimed by critics and audiences. Child Reindeer has additionally earned a number of accolades, together with six Primetime Emmy Awards out of 11 nominations.
‘Breaking Unhealthy’ (2008 – 2013)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 9.5/10
Created and produced by Vince Gilligan, Breaking Bad is a criminal offense drama sequence that follows an over-qualified and beaten-down high-school chemistry instructor who receives the surprising information that he has stage-three lung most cancers. Set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the present stars Bryan Cranston because the instructor, Walter White, who groups up with a former scholar, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), to construct a meth empire, hoping to offer for his household’s monetary future earlier than his dying. Apart from Cranston and Paul, the sequence additionally stars Anna Gunn, RJ Mitte, Betsy Brandt, Dean Norris, Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Giancarlo Esposito, and extra.
Breaking Unhealthy was a crucial darling when it first premiered on AMC in 2008, and over a five-season run, the present cemented its standing as one of the crucial acclaimed TV exhibits of the twenty first century. With its mixture of grounded, slow-burn drama, superbly ingenious cinematography, compelling performances, and near-perfect writing, it’s simple to see why the sequence enjoys such a big worldwide fan following. The present earned quite a few accolades, together with 16 Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes, and spawned a franchise that features the spinoff present Better Call Saul and the sequel function movie El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.
‘Derry Ladies’ (2018 – 2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 8.5/10
- Launch Date
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January 4, 2018
- Community
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BBC
- Showrunner
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Lisa McGee
- Administrators
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Lisa McGee
- Writers
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Lisa McGee
Created and written by Lisa McGee, Derry Girls is a teen sitcom impressed by McGee’s personal experiences rising up in Northern Eire within the Nineteen Nineties, throughout the ultimate years of the Troubles. The present explores the teenage misadventures of 4 ladies (and one boy), all dwelling in Derry and attending a Catholic secondary faculty. The sequence stars Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, and Dylan Llewellyn.
Derry Ladies initially premiered in 2018 within the UK on Channel 4, shortly changing into one of many most-watched exhibits in Northern Eire and considered one of Channel 4’s most profitable comedies ever. The present has additionally been a crucial darling, receiving reward for its mix of actual historic occasions and hilarious fictional conditions, to not point out its killer ’90s soundtrack. A lovable sitcom stuffed with sassy, endearing characters, Derry Ladies attracts humor and coronary heart from one of the crucial tough durations in Northern Irish historical past, delivering a comforting, feel-good expertise within the course of.
‘When They See Us’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 8.8/10
Created, co-written, and directed by Ava DuVernay, When They See Us is a four-part crime drama miniseries based mostly on the real-life 1989 Central Park jogger case, exploring the lives and households of 5 Black and Latino suspects who had been falsely accused of the rape and assault of a white lady in Central Park, New York Metropolis. The sequence stars an ensemble solid that features Jharrel Jerome, Asante Blackk, Caleel Harris, Jovan Adepo, Michael Okay. Williams, Logan Marshall-Inexperienced, Joshua Jackson, Blair Underwood, Vera Farmiga, and extra.
When They See Us was launched in Might 2019 to crucial acclaim and excessive viewership, reportedly streamed by over 23 million viewers inside its first month. The present has been praised for its performances, writing, and course, incomes 11 Emmy nominations and the Critics’ Selection Tv Award for Greatest Restricted Collection. A companion particular hosted by Oprah Winfrey was launched in June 2019, that includes interviews with the creator, the solid, and the true Exonerated 5.
‘Mindhunter’ (2017 – 2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.6/10
Mindhunter is a psychological crime thriller sequence created by Joe Penhall and based mostly on the eponymous 1995 true-crime guide by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker. Penhall additionally government produced the present with Charlize Theron and de facto showrunner David Fincher. Set within the late Nineteen Seventies, Mindhunter explores the founding of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, a crew that interviews convicted serial killers to realize perception into their specific psychology after which makes use of these insights to unravel ongoing circumstances. The present stars Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, and Anna Torv.
Mindhunter premiered its first 10-episode season on Netflix in 2017, receiving near-universal acclaim from critics. Its second season, launched in 2019, carried out even higher. Simply one of the crucial beloved true crime exhibits in current reminiscence, Mindhunter is a visually hanging, masterfully directed, and usually well-produced sequence. The present earned a number of accolades, together with two Primetime Emmy nominations, and is extensively considered among the best exhibits of the 2010s. A grounded but totally thrilling take a look at the psychology of murderers and the individuals who catch them, Mindhunter is a must-watch for thriller followers and anybody who simply enjoys nice TV.
‘Adolescence’ (2025)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 8.3/10
Directed by Philip Barantini, Adolescence is a British crime drama miniseries created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, the latter additionally taking part in a starring position within the present. The four-part sequence unpacks the case of a 13-year-old schoolboy (performed by Owen Cooper) who’s arrested for the homicide of a lady at his faculty, with the story revealing how his actions had been influenced by extreme bullying and misogynistic ideology. The present’s ensemble solid additionally contains Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, Faye Marsay, Christine Tremarco, and extra.
Adolescence premiered in March 2025 to crucial and viewers acclaim, receiving reward for its excellent course, writing, cinematography, and performances — particularly that of its younger star. The present is a searing indictment of the troubling methods by which social media has uncovered kids to unprecedented ranges of dangerous content material. It’s not a simple watch, however the present’s stylistic filmmaking will preserve you glued to the display screen even because it offers with tough and painful themes. The truth that every episode of the sequence is a single steady take alone makes it a captivating look ahead to these concerned about exploring the technical and artistic potential of the visible medium. Indisputably, Adolescence is definitely considered one of 2025’s most interesting exhibits.
‘Beef’ (2023 – Current)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 8.0/10
Created by Lee Sung Jin and produced by A24, Beef is a darkish comedy-drama anthology present that brings out the tragedies and comedies of human relationships. The primary season, starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, follows two strangers who get right into a highway rage incident that hilariously escalates into an all-out feud, finally resulting in a profoundly transformative religious journey. A second season following a brand new story was introduced in 2024, with Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton, Cailee Spaeny, and Youn Yuh-jung in key roles.
Beef’s 10-episode first season acquired common acclaim when it premiered in April 2023, profitable eight Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes. The present has been praised by critics and viewers for its compelling writing, trendy visible narrative, and nuanced performances. Completely balancing its comedic and dramatic parts, Beef is a masterpiece of character-driven storytelling, slowly peeling again the layers of its characters to disclose the traumatic incidents and self-hatred which have crammed their lives with a lot ache.
‘Arcane’ (2021 – 2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 9.0/10
- Launch Date
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2021 – 2023
- Showrunner
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Christian Linke, Alex Yee
- Administrators
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Pascal Charrue, Arnaud Delord
Created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee, Arcane is an grownup animated action-adventure sequence set in Riot Video games’ League of Legends universe. The present stars Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell because the voices of sisters Vi and Jinx, respectively, following these two iconic League of Legends champions as they discover themselves on opposing sides of the battle between the dual cities of Piltover and Zaun. The present boasts an ensemble voice solid that additionally contains Kevin Alejandro, Katie Leung, Jason Spisak, and extra.
Arcane premiered in 2021 to common acclaim and acquired a number of accolades, together with a Primetime Emmy Award for Excellent Animated Program — the primary streaming present to ever earn the respect. A second and final season adopted in 2024, and each have earned the extremely coveted 100% contemporary ranking on Rotten Tomatoes. Whereas online game diversifications have traditionally been a combined bag, Arcane is arguably the perfect of the lot, holding true to the core of the sport whereas weaving in some superb world-building and emotional depth.
