Top 10 Most Controversial Netflix Originals: A Comprehensive List

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With 300 million subscribers, Netflix is the world’s leading TV streaming service, so it’s not surprising they occasionally face criticism. It’s impossible to create content that everyone will love, and some shows are bound to offend certain viewers. However, these 10 Netflix originals generated particularly strong reactions.

Over the past ten years, the streaming service has repeatedly crossed the line of what most people consider acceptable, ranging from poor taste and insensitivity to outright discrimination and harmful content. They’ve even faced accusations of blasphemy and legal action over content some considered defamatory.

While many of Netflix’s most controversial shows aren’t necessarily bad from a creative standpoint, quite a few actually are. Controversy can arise for many reasons – the show’s content itself, how it was made, or the harmful effects it might have on society.

These days, Netflix seems to generate more discussion – and upset – from its decisions to end shows than from the shows it actually creates. Over the last five years, we’ve definitely noticed an increasing number of series on the platform gaining attention for negative reasons.

Harry & Meghan

2022

While the Harry & Meghan documentary didn’t contain any major revelations, it faced significant criticism for seeming overly focused on promoting themselves and for missing the mark with many viewers. Despite the anticipation from the media and those interested in the royal family, the series ultimately didn’t offer much new information.

The recent documentary showed Harry and Meghan enjoying a luxurious lifestyle, but didn’t explain how they planned to earn a living after sharing their personal struggles. It highlighted extravagant events, like a baby shower costing $277,000 hosted by Serena Williams, and a pilot thanking them for their contributions to the UK. The series seemed to portray Meghan as a victim of circumstance.

Tiger King

2020–2021

This incredibly strange true-crime documentary was something you had to watch to understand – and millions of people did on Netflix. Considering the sensitive topic, it was bound to cause debate, and it seemed that was exactly what the creators intended.

The documentary Tiger King truly lived up to its reputation as a shocking and sensational show. It faced criticism for its treatment of animals and even a lawsuit from Carole Baskin after the second season aired. The show was infamous for Joe Exotic’s claim that Baskin had fed her former husband to her tigers – a claim that understandably disturbed many viewers.

Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

2022

When Netflix released the first part of its Monster true crime series, it immediately sparked a lot of controversy. I remember reading how upset the families of Jeffrey Dahmer’s victims were – especially Tony Hughes’ family. They felt really hurt that nobody reached out to them before making the show, and understandably, they were angry about a series seemingly profiting from such a tragic loss. It just felt disrespectful to them, and I can definitely understand why they reacted the way they did.

Reviews for Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story were generally negative, with many critics finding its detailed depiction of Dahmer’s crimes to be exploitative, despite acknowledging its production quality. This poor reception unfortunately foreshadowed the even more critical response to later seasons of the Monster series.

Messiah

2020

Long before reports of many Netflix cancellations in 2024 due to changes in service, this religious thriller caused a significant drop in subscribers across a specific part of the world. The show featured a visual representation of Jesus (known as ʿĪsā in Arabic), which went against Islamic beliefs that prophets should not be depicted in images.

The series faced strong criticism across the Middle East and the Muslim world, with Jordan’s film commission even attempting to block its streaming on Netflix. However, these efforts were unnecessary, as the show didn’t attract a large audience. Messiah received negative reviews and was ultimately canceled after just one season.

Dear White People

2017–2021

As a critic, I have to say that Dear White People isn’t just a powerful statement against racial injustice—it’s genuinely one of the strongest shows Netflix has to offer, and a standout LGBTQ+ series to boot. What really works is its sharp, satirical humor; it lands brilliantly more often than not.

The show intentionally used satire to comment on issues within American universities. However, this didn’t prevent some online viewers from being genuinely offended, claiming the show was racist towards white people and demanding its removal from Netflix. Despite the controversy, the series continued to be popular for three seasons.

Squid Game: The Challenge

2023–Present

As the first season of Squid Game: The Challenge progressed, some viewers started to wonder if the show was a genuine competition or simply a manufactured attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the original Squid Game series. The show was intended to be a real-world, but less brutal, adaptation of the games featured in the Netflix drama.

Despite the show’s attempt to recreate Squid Game, contestants were raising concerns. Some believed the games weren’t fair and favored certain players, and others even threatened to sue over injuries and getting dangerously cold during filming, according to The Guardian. It seems the reality show was more similar to the fictional Squid Game than initially presented.

Baby Reindeer

2024

Fiona Harvey filed a defamation lawsuit against Netflix following the release of Baby Reindeer. The actions of a character in the show, believed to be based on Harvey, are understandable grounds for her claim. However, the critically acclaimed miniseries draws heavily from the real-life experiences of its creator, Richard Gadd, who reportedly had interactions with Harvey.

Let me be clear: the show itself is brilliant – sensitive, complex, and really makes you think. The problem isn’t what it depicts, but who it depicts. Once viewers realized the character was based on a real person, Fiona Harvey, things got messy. It’s a truly unfortunate situation, and sadly, Baby Reindeer has turned her into a public figure facing a lot of negativity. It’s a tough watch knowing a real person’s life is so intertwined with the drama.

The Goop Lab

2018–2019

Experts, including those who spoke with The Detroit News, have widely dismissed The Goop Lab as pseudoscience. It’s often used by traditional media as an example of how Netflix doesn’t adequately fact-check its content. The series has received so much criticism that it’s unlikely many people still believe in Goop’s claims.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s wealth has likely increased thanks to her guide to “natural” wellness, and some believe that was the main reason for creating it. It’s a good idea to research the science behind her recommendations before trying them.

Insatiable

2018–2019

A 2022 report suggests that Netflix’s stock decline began with the backlash against its show Insatiable. While intended to address fat-shaming and encourage body positivity, the show’s awkward and poorly executed approach actually seemed to reinforce those negative ideas instead.

Beyond failing to handle its main topic well, the show also included poorly executed and offensive jokes about race and sexuality. The second season was even worse, and it’s surprising Netflix hasn’t removed it, especially considering a Change.org petition with hundreds of thousands of signatures called for its cancellation.

13 Reasons Why

2017–2020

I still can’t believe 13 Reasons Why lasted four seasons, especially with all the criticism it got. It really sparked a lot of debate about how it handled tough topics like teen mental health, and honestly, it divided viewers more than almost anything else I’ve seen on Netflix.

The storylines involving suicide and school shootings are what 13 Reasons Why is most known for, and often criticized for. Looking back, the show likely explored these sensitive topics more deeply than it could handle responsibly, potentially harming its audience. While Netflix continued the series because of its popularity, the show remains controversial in retrospect.

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2025-11-11 02:53