Netflix’s 10 Most Ambitious TV Shows

Netflix has a reputation for canceling shows before they can really succeed, but the platform also isn’t afraid to take big swings. Some of their original series have become huge cultural moments, launching popular franchises and even defining a period in television, despite being risky with unusual stories or large production costs.

Netflix became popular thanks to several great early shows, but it was the success of complex dramas like Orange is the New Black that really showed how streaming and watching multiple episodes at once could change television. Netflix still leads the way in innovative content, and while not every expensive show is a hit, they’ve proven that you don’t always need a huge budget to create something amazing.

Arcane

Turning a video game with a rich history and beloved characters into a show is challenging enough, especially when you consider that many video game adaptations haven’t been very successful. Arcane faced the risk of disappointing both longtime fans and new viewers, but it ultimately set a new, incredibly high bar for shows based on video games.

The animated series Arcane was a huge success, both creatively and financially, with a large budget and numerous awards for its animation and music. What set it apart was its focus on character and story; instead of just relying on flashy effects or video game connections, Arcane gave equal weight to quieter, more emotional scenes, all set against the backdrop of a brewing conflict between two sisters.

Mindhunter

Although the cost of producing Mindhunter contributed to its cancellation, the show was also groundbreaking for its unique approach to crime dramas. Unlike many shows in the genre that follow predictable patterns, Mindhunter stood out by exploring the psychological science behind criminal behavior, and it was inspired by real events.

While movies like The Silence of the Lambs have featured interviews with serial killers, they often rely on action and graphic violence. Mindhunter, however, took a different approach, aiming for a more unsettling horror through realistic crime scene details, building suspense, and strong performances to genuinely disturb viewers.

Marco Polo

Before its disappointing final season, Game of Thrones was a massive cultural hit. Since then, many fantasy shows have tried to replicate its popularity, but haven’t been able to attract a similar audience. Netflix’s Marco Polo was one such attempt at creating the next big fantasy series, but despite being ambitious, it didn’t impress reviewers.

The series Marco Polo takes place in the world of the Mongolian Empire and shares some similarities with Game of Thrones, featuring both political intrigue and exciting adventures. While Marco Polo didn’t have as large a budget, it proved popular with viewers despite a negative initial reception from critics. The second season was a significant improvement and earned a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, winning over the critics.

The Witcher

When Game of Thrones ended, Netflix’s The Witcher aimed to become the next big fantasy series. It started well, especially with Henry Cavill – a fan of the original books – in the lead role. But the show declined after Cavill departed and Liam Hemsworth took over as Geralt of Rivia. The series also faced significant challenges, including a complicated, non-linear storyline.

The TV series The Witcher jumps between three different time periods. The creators worked hard to keep the story understandable while still delivering a visually stunning and gritty experience. While the show initially excelled with its costumes and special effects, later seasons strayed from the original books and games, leading to a less favorable reception – season 4 currently has a 59% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

House Of Cards

The political drama House of Cards was a bold move for Netflix. It was the company’s first original series, based on a shorter British show. Knowing that politics can be confusing, the creators had the main character directly address the audience, breaking the fourth wall to explain what was happening and reveal the show’s themes of corruption and violence.

Political drama House of Cards was captivating, offering a chilling glimpse into what America might look like under a self-centered leader. It could have been a truly exceptional show, but the final season suffered due to issues with Kevin Spacey. Robin Wright did her best to carry the story forward, but the series ultimately concluded with a strange and unsatisfying cliffhanger, leaving viewers feeling like the story wasn’t fully resolved.

The Crown

The Netflix series The Crown tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign through dramatic recreations of important events. While hugely popular, it was a challenging show to make. Basing characters on real people – including those still living, like Prince William, and recent historical figures like Princess Diana – meant there was a real risk of getting things wrong or causing offense.

While The Crown sometimes takes creative liberties with events for dramatic effect, it’s brilliantly written when it comes to exploring its characters, and features outstanding performances from its actors. Three different actresses – Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton – each portray Queen Elizabeth at various points in her life. Although Buckingham Palace hasn’t officially approved the show, reports suggest that some members of the royal family did watch it.

Love, Death + Robots

Even popular and highly anticipated anthology TV series can lose viewers with episodes that divide opinion or by being too surprising. However, Love, Death + Robots has consistently delivered excellent seasons, despite a wide range of styles and stories in each one. The show is notably ambitious, blending diverse visual styles and the talents of many different storytellers into a cyberpunk collection.

Each episode of Love, Death + Robots feels completely unique, and the show doesn’t seem to hold back on creative risks. For example, the unsettling episode ‘Jibaro’ is worlds apart from the comedic ‘Automated Customer Service’ or the terrifying ‘Bad Traveling.’ This dedication to originality has paid off, making the show a critical success – seasons 3 and 4 both received a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Squid Game

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Squid Game is a truly innovative show that has significantly changed television. Before it became popular on Netflix, most streaming content came from English-language productions. However, this South Korean story about a dangerous competition where people risk their lives for money captivated audiences worldwide, proving that great storytelling can overcome language barriers.

Squid Game quickly became a huge cultural trend, inspiring popular costumes, a real-life game show based on the show’s challenges, and even a new series planned for the US. While many big TV projects don’t succeed, Squid Game, originally filmed in Korean with both dubbing and subtitles available, proved to be a major hit.

Stranger Things

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Reports indicate that Stranger Things is Netflix’s most costly original series, reaching a budget of $50 to $60 million per episode—even surpassing the budgets of some films for an entire season. But when the show initially launched, audiences didn’t realize how grand the Duffer Brothers’ vision would become, as the first season was relatively self-contained.

When Stranger Things first started, it felt like a love letter to the 1980s and centered around a mystery of a missing person. But the supernatural world known as the Upside Down, the creatures within it, and the main villain, Vecna, were all part of the original plan, including how the series would ultimately end. Though plans for season 5 have changed quite a bit, the overall story is still expansive, and the creators are developing several spin-offs in different formats.

The OA

Even though it only ran for two seasons, Netflix’s sci-fi series The OA isn’t a show you can casually watch. It’s one of the most unusual shows Netflix has ever produced, ending with a surprising twist and a major cliffhanger. The series frequently shifts between different realities, and at one point, the actors even used their real names, only to introduce another layer of mystery.

Despite gaining a dedicated following, the Netflix series The OA was canceled after two seasons because not enough people were watching to justify its production costs. Fans tried to save the show, but their efforts weren’t successful. Although the creators envisioned a five-season story, it seems The OA will likely end without a proper conclusion.

2026-02-16 03:41