These are the very best Netflix shows… that you can ONLY watch on Netflix.
We recently picked out the 18 best Netflix movies that you can only watch on Netflix (check out that list in full right here), but if you’re looking for something more long term, we’ve picked out the 16 best Netflix original series.
BEEF
The newest entry on the list sees Ali Wong and Steven Yeun as two hot-tempered strangers who should never have met, as one tiny fender bender results in an escalating-out-of-control feud that could destroy both of their lives. We know that doesn’t sound very funny, but trust us, it is very funny.
BIG MOUTH
A clever and funny way to deal with how young people are affected by their impending hormones and “changes”, while always being hyper-aware of the current sexual and sexuality landscape, an all-star voice cast bring their collective A-game to this filthy, ingenious animated comedy.
BOJACK HORSEMAN
Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, this meta takedown of a washed-up Hollywood star taking the long way to a career comeback is bolstered by a brilliant performance by Will Arnett.
THE CROWN
Jumping several decades at a time, taking place from Queen Elizabeth’s wedding in 1947, and eventually ending with the ending of Prince Charles’ marriage to Princess Diana, this powerful and gorgeously made drama ficticiously fills in some behind-the-scenes blanks in the most entertaining way possible.
THE GOOD PLACE
A very, very, very, very good comedy about a group of people who have died, and found themselves in heaven, only to discover that the perfect afterlife isn’t exactly as perfect as they would’ve hoped. You will laugh, you will cry, you will hate Adam Scott, which we didn’t think was possible.
HEARTSTOPPER
This adorable romantic drama sees two secondary school boys realise that they are in love with each other, although at the onset of their relationship, only one of them initially seems to be aware of their homosexual preferences.
I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE
There is no way to define this sketch comedy show. If you laugh at this clip below, then you’ll love this show. If you don’t, then you won’t.
MAKING A MURDERER
Some of the best Netflix shows and movies that they’ve ever done have been within the realm of documentaries – Fyre, Tiger King, Our Father, too many to mention really – but it truly was with Making A Murderer that the streaming service had a stranglehold on our shared attention and conversations.
MASTER OF NONE
The first two seasons are loosely based on the events of star/writer/director/creator Aziz Ansari, while the third season switches over to the events of a supporting character played by Lena Waithe, but all three seasons are insightful, funny and smartly delivered.
MINDHUNTER
The biggest sadness about Netflix is knowing they will never, EVER give us a final season of this series. Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany and Anna Torv were collectively amazing in this nail-biting retelling of how the FBI came to set up a division created specifically to hunt down serial killers.
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
The second ever Netflix original show (after House Of Cards) remains one of the best Netflix original shows ever. All seven seasons of the comedy drama show set within a women’s prison are pretty fantastic, with only one of those seasons dropping below 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.
THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT
Who would’ve thought the story of a chess genius would end up being this entertaining? Although we probably should’ve guessed, thanks to immaculate pairing of lead actress Anya Taylor Joy and the show’s creator Scott Frank, who had previously delivered the scripts for Get Shorty, Out Of Sight and Minority Report.
RUSSIAN DOLL
Lead actress Natasha Lyonne sure knows how to pick ’em. Before this was Orange Is The New Black, and after this is Poker Face. In the case of Russian Doll, it is basically a remix of Groundhog Day, but with a much higher IQ and a want/need to answer some big existential questions. But, y’know, in a fun way.
SEX EDUCATION
A teenage boy is pretty ambivalent towards sex because his mother is a famous sex therapist, but that soon all changes when his classmates begin to talk about sex more and more when they reach that age. The great teen comedy is fronted by some fun turns by Gillian Anderson, Asa Butterfield and Emma Mackey.
UNBELIEVABLE
This powerful and important mini-series follows the true story of a serial rapist operating in Washington, but instead of trying to find the perpetrator, police arrested one of the victims, accusing her of making the whole thing up. Toni Collette, Merritt Wever and Kaitlyn Dever deliver a trio of awe-inspiring performances.
UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT
After the huge success of 30 Rock, creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock reteamed for this bonkers tale of a woman (perfectly portrayed by Ellie Kemper) who has been released from a bunker after being kept there by a cult leader for 15 years. Again, it does sound very funny, but again, trust us, it is VERY funny.
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