7 Best Netflix Shows Based on Books, Ranked

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Netflix is one of the world’s leading streaming services, offering a huge library of shows and movies to viewers around the globe. It’s known for creating high-quality original content – many of its shows and movies have become incredibly popular and are now part of our shared cultural experiences. While much of Netflix’s original programming is brand new, it also adapts popular books into TV shows and films.

Several of these shows have become Netflix staples, praised for their high quality. Others are hidden gems – popular with some, but not yet widely recognized. However, all of them are considered among the best shows Netflix offers that are based on books, judged by how many people watch, their impact on culture, and what viewers and critics think.

7) The Witcher

I’ve been completely captivated by The Witcher on Netflix! It all started with Andrzej Sapkowski’s incredible fantasy books, and I think the video games really helped introduce the world to so many people. Seeing that story come to life in a live-action series has been amazing. It’s a really dark and exciting fantasy, mostly following the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter. While the show has had its ups and downs, I honestly think it’s one of the best adaptations Netflix has ever done.

6) Altered Carbon

Despite lasting only two seasons, the Netflix series Altered Carbon is considered one of the streaming service’s best adaptations of a novel. The show, based on Richard K. Morgan’s science fiction book of the same name, centers on Takeshi Kovacs, an ex-soldier who’s brought in to solve a murder in a future where people can move their minds into new bodies. Though it was cancelled, Altered Carbon remains a standout sci-fi adaptation and doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.

5) The Night Agent

When it first came out, The Night Agent unexpectedly became a huge hit for Netflix. The thrilling series centers on FBI agent Peter Sutherland, who finds himself caught up in a complicated government conspiracy. The show’s popularity has led many to forget that it’s actually based on a novel of the same name by Matthew Quirk. Given how well it’s done around the world, The Night Agent is clearly one of Netflix’s most successful adaptations of a book.

4) 3 Body Problem

Netflix’s 3 Body Problem is based on the first book in Liu Cixin’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy, though the show takes some liberties with the original story. It introduces a global cast of characters as they grapple with the news that Earth will soon be invaded by a superior alien civilization called the San-Ti. While not a strict adaptation, 3 Body Problem is one of Netflix’s most anticipated series.

3) Bridgerton

Everyone knows how popular Bridgerton has become. What started as a historical romance has turned into a huge cultural phenomenon. The show is based on the novels by Julia Quinn and follows the lives of the Bridgerton family in a reimagined London during the Regency era. Bridgerton is considered one of Netflix’s most binge-worthy shows, and its massive popularity proves it’s one of the best adaptations of a book series the streaming service has ever produced.

2) You

I’m a huge fan of You on Netflix! While it might not be quite as massive as Bridgerton, it’s definitely up there in terms of addictive viewing. The show follows Joe, a serial killer, and how falling in ‘love’ throws a wrench into his plans. It’s based on Caroline Kepnes’ books, and honestly, they nailed the adaptation. It’s so suspenseful and dramatic – a real thrill ride that truly captures the feel of the novels. I’ve been hooked since the beginning, and so have a lot of other people, judging by the great reviews and dedicated fanbase!

1) The Haunting of Hill House

Although The Haunting of Hill House isn’t a particularly close adaptation of the book, it’s still considered one of the best horror series on Netflix. Both critics and viewers have responded very positively to it, making it the platform’s most successful book-to-screen adaptation so far. While inspired by Shirley Jackson’s classic novel, the series adds a strong emotional core and compelling human stories to the spooky narrative, resulting in a truly well-made television adaptation.

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2026-01-20 23:43