10 Best Netflix TV Series of All Time, Ranked

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Netflix started as a DVD-by-mail service, but it quickly grew into a major global entertainment company. It began by showing movies and TV shows from other studios, but when it started creating its own original content, it revolutionized television. Netflix initially focused on big-budget political dramas, then expanded into all kinds of genres, shaking up the traditional TV industry. Now, it’s a huge production studio that releases new shows and movies almost every day. This strategy helps Netflix attract viewers worldwide, and its collection of content is now comparable to those of the oldest and most famous Hollywood studios.

Let’s be honest, Netflix throws out a lot of content, but they’ve consistently tapped into what everyone’s talking about. They’re really good at walking the line between super-specific shows and those big, critically acclaimed dramas that sweep the awards. For this list, though, I’m only looking at series that have a complete, finished story. That means you won’t see anything still running, like Bridgerton or Beef – their stories aren’t fully told yet. And sadly, I had to leave out some fantastic shows that were cancelled too soon, like Mindhunter. It’s just not fair to judge a story that never got its proper ending.

10) You

The psychological thriller You originally aired on a different network before becoming a huge hit on Netflix. The show follows Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley), a smart but troubled man who becomes dangerously obsessed with the women he loves. What’s fascinating about You is that it puts viewers inside the mind of a stalker, using Joe’s voice to try and explain his increasingly disturbing behavior. The introduction of Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti) in season two threw Joe’s world into chaos, forcing him to confront his own motivations and desires. Throughout the series, which moves to different settings, the writing is clever and often satirizes typical romantic storylines. You also expertly blends suspense with dark humor, making Joe Goldberg a memorable and controversial character in today’s television landscape.

9) Love, Death + Robots

Anthology series are usually hard to keep consistently good, but Love, Death + Robots is a stunning example of excellent animation and science fiction. Created by Tim Miller and David Fincher, the show features a variety of short films, using everything from incredibly realistic computer animation to classic 2D styles. Each episode tackles different ideas about technology, what it means to be human, and the supernatural, often with a surprising and impactful ending—episodes like “Jibaro” and “Zima Blue” demonstrate that short animated films can be as emotionally powerful as full-length movies. Love, Death + Robots also avoids the common problems with anthology series by offering a wide range of animation styles and stories in each season. It’s an important outlet for animators worldwide to create mature, imaginative stories that wouldn’t typically be made for mainstream audiences. The result is a powerful and thought-provoking show that’s easily one of the most original offerings on Netflix.

8) Sex Education

Unlike typical teen dramas filled with predictable storylines, Sex Education offered a fresh and heartfelt take on the challenges of growing up. The show centers on Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield), a socially awkward teen who starts a secret sex therapy service at school, even though he’s still figuring things out himself. He teams up with the independent Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey) and his outgoing best friend Eric Effiong (Ncuti Gatwa) to help their classmates navigate love, identity, and relationships. Adding to the fun and drama is Otis’s mother, Jean Milburn (Gillian Anderson), who happens to be a sex therapist! What makes Sex Education so good is its respectful and genuine portrayal of its characters, balancing humor with emotional depth. By the end of the series, the characters of Moordale have matured into well-rounded adults, leaving behind a lasting impression of acceptance and emotional understanding – setting a new standard for shows about growing up.

7) Orange Is the New Black

One of Netflix’s first big successes, Orange Is the New Black proved that streaming services could create compelling, high-quality dramas. The show begins by following Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), a woman from a comfortable background who ends up in prison for a past mistake. However, it quickly broadens its scope to tell the stories of the many women at Litchfield Penitentiary. Characters like Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren (Uzo Aduba) and Galina “Red” Reznikov (Kate Mulgrew) are central to the show’s emotional impact, with flashbacks revealing their complex pasts. Orange Is the New Black skillfully combines dark humor with sharp criticism of the American prison system through the lives of these women. Over seven seasons, it developed into a strong ensemble drama, giving a voice to women who are often overlooked and cementing its place as a landmark series for Netflix.

6) The Haunting of Hill House

Mike Flanagan’s The Haunting of Hill House is a deeply emotional story about a family, disguised as a ghost story. Inspired by Shirley Jackson’s novel, the series weaves between the past and present, focusing on the Crain siblings and the lasting trauma they experienced growing up in a haunted house. The acting is phenomenal, particularly from Carla Gugino as Olivia Crain and Timothy Hutton as the older Hugh Crain, alongside Michiel Huisman as adult Steven Crain. The show cleverly uses supernatural elements to represent grief and mental health struggles, creating a truly unsettling and relatable atmosphere. Flanagan’s masterful direction includes a famous, unbroken 17-minute scene that delivers the season’s most powerful emotional moment. Ultimately, The Haunting of Hill House stands out because it focuses on the characters’ development and healing, rather than just jump scares, making it arguably the best horror series ever made.

5) The Queen’s Gambit

Netflix’s series The Queen’s Gambit perfectly showcases the power of the limited series format. The show brilliantly transforms the game of chess into a thrilling, cinematic experience. Anya Taylor-Joy gives a standout performance as Beth Harmon, a gifted but troubled orphan who rises through the ranks of the competitive, male-dominated chess world. We follow Beth’s journey from her humble beginnings in Kentucky to international competitions in Moscow, witnessing the intense focus and loneliness that often come with extraordinary talent. Director Scott Frank creates a visually stunning 1960s atmosphere with a driving soundtrack, making each chess match feel uniquely suspenseful. A strong supporting cast, including Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Benny Watts, adds depth to Beth’s story, highlighting the complex relationships she forms along the way. Ultimately, The Queen’s Gambit was a huge hit, sparking renewed global interest in chess and demonstrating that a well-crafted historical drama can resonate with a large modern audience.

4) Narcos

Netflix gained worldwide recognition with Narcos, a compelling and fast-moving series about the Colombian drug trade. The first two seasons center on the pursuit of Pablo Escobar (played by Wagner Moura), a terrifyingly charismatic and ruthless figure. The story unfolds through the eyes of DEA agents Steve Murphy (Boyd Holbrook) and Javier Peña (Pedro Pascal), combining real historical footage with dramatic storytelling to feel realistic. The show expertly portrays the complicated political landscape and violence of the time, highlighting the destructive effects of the drug war on both Colombia and the United States. After Escobar’s storyline concluded, the series continued with the story of the Cali Cartel, maintaining its intense atmosphere and high production quality. Narcos became a benchmark for international television collaborations, using a script in both English and Spanish and a diverse cast to create a story that feels both grand in scope and deeply personal.

3) Ozark

Frequently hailed as one of the great prestige dramas, Ozark is a brilliantly made thriller exploring the destructive side of ambition and desperation. The story begins with Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) relocating his family to the Ozark Mountains of Missouri to hide money for a dangerous drug cartel. What starts as a way to stay alive soon becomes a pursuit of more power, especially as Marty’s wife, Wendy (Laura Linney), reveals herself to be as driven and uncompromising as he is. Julia Garner delivers a particularly memorable performance as Ruth Langmore, a local criminal whose fate becomes intertwined with the Byrde family. The show is known not only for its excellent acting but also for its distinctive, cool-toned visuals and its consistently tense and unsettling atmosphere. And unlike many series that falter towards the end, Ozark built to a thrilling climax, concluding with a fittingly dark and memorable finale.

2) Dark

The German series Dark is a complex and captivating science fiction story that requires close attention. It starts with the disappearance of a child in the town of Winden and quickly becomes a sprawling mystery involving time travel and multiple generations. The series centers on Jonas Kahnwald (Louis Hofmann) and unfolds over a century, filled with intricate puzzles and the idea that the future is already determined. Dark is carefully constructed, with every detail and character playing a crucial role in the overall story. This allows the show to maintain a consistent and believable logic, even as the story expands to include different versions of reality. What sets Dark apart is that it was originally planned as a three-part story, which allowed the creators to deliver a truly satisfying and emotionally powerful ending. It’s a remarkable example of ambitious storytelling and demonstrates Netflix’s ability to produce groundbreaking international television.

1) BoJack Horseman

It’s surprising that one of the most insightful shows on Netflix is an animated comedy about a talking horse, but BoJack Horseman has earned its place as a standout series by honestly portraying depression, the downsides of fame, and the importance of taking responsibility. The show centers on BoJack Horseman (voiced by Will Arnett), a former TV star trying to find happiness in a funny, but also critical, take on Hollywood. What starts as a silly, pun-filled comedy quickly becomes a deeply moving exploration of its characters. The supporting characters – Diane Nguyen (Alison Brie), Todd Chavez (Aaron Paul), and Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris) – each have their own complex storylines that reflect the challenges of being an adult. Beyond that, the show is remarkably creative, with episodes like “Fish Out of Water” and “Free Churro” experimenting with animation in innovative ways. Ultimately, BoJack Horseman doesn’t offer easy answers or a quick redemption for its main character; instead, it focuses on the hard work of personal growth.

What other Netflix shows do you think should have made the list? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-12 22:17