Netflix has a huge library of TV shows, and with new content coming out every week, it becomes an exercise in searching for the best of the bunch. Squeezed in time? No need to worry. We’ve done the hard work for you.
Below, you’ll find featured new content, as well as CNET’s full list of the best TV originals on Netflix.
What’s new this week (July 3-10)
Check out this week’s highlights. On the same subject : Netflix is in talks with Google about advertising as Sarandos intends to speak to Cannes this week.
Read more: The absolute best movies on Netflix
Best Netflix original TV shows
At the time of writing, all of these TV shows have scores of at least 70 on Metacritic.
Comedy
Comedy-drama with Sandra Oh? The chair is elevated by Oh’s impeccable charm. Set in the fictional Pembroke University, The Chair follows Oh’s professor Ji-Yoon Kim, the newly appointed head of the English department. On the same subject : Top Netflix Movies and Shows: What’s Trending On June 22, 2022. She is the first woman elected to the position and faces an uphill battle to move the antiquated department along with the changing times. With astute observations about academia, incredible appearances by Holland Taylor as a senior faculty member, and ambitious social commentary, The Chair reaches worthy heights.
Never Have I Ever (2020—)
Devi is your average high school girl who wants nothing more than to be cool and find a boyfriend. But it’s hard to stay cheerful after your dad dies. Mindy Kaling’s coming-of-age story covers familiar territory, yet stands out from the crowd in more ways than one. See the article : ‘The Umbrella Academy’ dethroned on Netflix’s top 10 list of a new show. Get this: the narrator is John McEnroe. The sports connection is just one layer of this surprising play about a Native American family living in California. You’ve seen these stories before, but not with these unique characters.
Julie and the Phantoms (2020—)
Stick with the silly premise of Julie and the Phantom before passing any judgment. Julie is a teenager who accidentally invites a boy band from the 90s — The Phantoms. As Julie helps the band reach their potential, they help her enjoy music and life again after her mother’s death. As music tends to do, the catchy tunes will send you reeling through the joyous, ridiculously entertaining and, of course, romance-filled first season. Ghost jokes included.
Comedian Mae Martin’s Feel Good really tries to do what it says on the tin. It follows repressed George (Charlotte Ritchie) who falls in love with Martin’s Mae after seeing her stand-up show. Their London romance sees George struggle to come out to his middle-class friends and family, while Canadian Mae has a drug problem that makes their love even more difficult. A confidently told story with a sense of humor nailed from the start, Feel Good exudes sweetness and charm.
Binge Sex Education Is Not Smart: A self-aware, John Hughes-obsessed jumble of American and British high school culture is a joy to watch. We follow Otis (Asa Butterfield), the son of a sex therapist (Gillian Anderson), as he begins his sexual awakening. Explicit conversations and scenes about sex are handled in refreshingly healthy and honest ways. Built around a diverse cast with pure charisma, the show gets even bigger in Season 3.
Russian Doll takes its premise of Groundhog Day and breaks it in the most unpredictable ways. Natasha Lyonne is the crackling spark at the center of the time-spinning mystery, playing Nadia, a game developer who keeps dying on the night of her 36th birthday party. Created by Amy Poehler, the series uses time travel to explore self-reflection on a whole new level, making this a definite must-see.
At first Cobra Kai, the series based on the Karate Kid movies, might sound like a cynical money-making spinoff of the martial arts franchise. But it has become one of Netflix’s most popular series, thanks to well-written characters and a good dose of nostalgia. The series follows Johnny Lawrence, 34 years after Daniel LaRusso kicked him in the face. From this subversive point of view, Cobra Kai is four seasons of self-aware, carefree, and honest entertainment.
Another must-see series, The Derry Girls follows the misadventures of Erin and her friends in Derry, Ireland in the 1990s. Their teenage troubles are paired with the antics of their equally hilarious parents, set against the backdrop of the conflict in Northern Ireland. While you may draw comparisons to The Inbetweeners, Derry Girls draws from its own wellspring of sweet charm, and the historical context paves the way for surprisingly dark humor.
This dark comedy miniseries stars Emma Stone and Jonah Hill as two strangers, Annie and Owen, who sign up for a mysterious pharmaceutical trial (because it’s a good idea) that causes crazy, often disturbing dreams. Rooted in brilliantly crafted visuals, Maniac is a multi-layered dive into the subconscious. Which means it’s dark and unpredictable, with a surprising touch of warm sentimental stuff.
A show inspired by the true story of the first professional wrestling syndicate in the 80s? Starring Alison Brie? Produced by Jenji Kohan? Dreams come true. GLOW’s pure fun comedy, full of eccentric female characters, team spirit with the triumph of the underdog and highs. Season 3 delves deeper into the lives of its diverse group, moving the series to Las Vegas. A fourth and final season was in the works, but unfortunately the production fell victim to the pandemic and Netflix canceled the series.
Dear White People (2017-2021)
Provocatively titled each episode, this series takes a timely look at contemporary race relations through the eyes of another character. Following several black students at Winchester, an Ivy League institution, Dear White People manages to mix its social commentary with a sharp sense of humor. With its fourth and final season now in the books, this continues to be a powerful eye-opener.
The End of The F***ing World (2017-2019)
If you like your dark British humour, look no further than The End of the Fucking World. Psychopath James (Alex Lawther) devises a plan to kill Alyssa (Jessica Barden) while on the run from her lecherous parents. But as they float across the open road and commit several violent crimes, their callous hearts soften and develop feelings for each other. Surprising, fast-paced and surreal, both seasons of this low-key teen series, with their headphones blasting the best sad doo-wop of the 50s, 60s and 70s, will blow your mind.
Before electrifying everyone with the word-for-word perfect Fleabag, Phoebe Waller-Bridge penned a six-part comedy that showcased the early stages of her astonishing talent. Crashing follows six twenty-somethings who live in an abandoned hospital, casually following the strict rules in exchange for cheap rent. The quirky characters subvert expectations wherever hilariously possible, with Waller-Bridge dropping in as a ukulele-playing Lulu. Not only does she disrupt the cast of Friends, she occasionally gets herself into incredibly dark situations (check out the overly sensitive Aunt Gladys).
On the surface of comedies about a 30-year-old New Yorker who loves his pasta, Master of None casually throws in nuanced and poignant episodes about immigrant families and their second-generation children. Then he throws out an entire episode about Tinder. Dev’s relatable experiences complement the wit and charm of creator and star Aziz Ansari, and personal controversies aside, the romantic and cultural themes he explores are extremely mature. Season 3 takes things in a different direction again, starring Lena Waithe and Naomi Ackie. Ansari makes an appearance in the episode, letting us know where Dev stands in his love life.
Call My Agent! (2015-2020)
Thinking of diving into more international Netflix content? French comedy Call my agent! hosts a growing list of famous actors playing themselves, from French stars to Americans like Sigourney Weaver (!) in recent seasons. But we’re looking at the world of showbiz from the perspective of long-time agents, including Camille Cottin who steals Andre Martel’s powerful agent, who repels male colleagues with lines like, “When I went from guys to girls, it was like graduating from the sandbox to the football field.” A brilliant four-season series that pokes fun at the entertainment industry (a fifth season and a TV movie are on the way).
BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
When it comes to cartoons that let your guard down before drilling you with thoughts about mental health, BoJack Horseman takes the cake. Set in an LA filled with anthropomorphic animals, it follows a washed-up former sitcom star who tries to return to her former glory by publishing an autobiography. While this unconventional cocktail may take you a while to digest at first, BoJack Horseman soon dazzles you with its truths about battling depression and addiction on the way to getting your life back on track.
Thriller
If you enjoyed Money Heist, meet Lupine, another non-English series with an action story. This time we are in France, where professional thief Assane Diop is carrying out his revenge mission on the man responsible for his father’s death. Inspired by the book about the gentleman thief Arsène Lupin, Assane uses disguises, thieving knowledge and a good dose of charisma to expose the crimes of the rich and powerful Hubert Pellegrini.
The Bodyguard broke records when it first aired in Britain, climbing from cliff to cliff at a relentless pace. This might be the definition of unstoppable binge drinking, which isn’t surprising considering it comes from the mind of Line of Duty’s Jed Mercurio. Game of Thrones’ Richard Madden stars as the titular bodyguard who suffers from PTSD after serving in the war in Afghanistan. On top of that, he is tasked with protecting the Home Secretary (Keeley Hawes), whose politics he despises. By turns provocative and creating one of the best 20-minute opening scenes ever, The Bodyguard is an expert performance at balancing tension.
House of Cards (2013-2018)
While Kevin Spacey’s sexual-harassment allegations ultimately soured this polished, fourth-wall-breaking piece on the dark side of politics, it’s still worth a watch if you like power plays and the occasional backstab. Initially following Spacey’s Frank Underwood, the sixth and final season of House of Cards follows his wife Claire (Robin Wright) as she assumes more and more power in the Oval Office.
Horror
From the author who brought us The Haunting of Hill House and Bly Manor comes another slow-burning horror series that will haunt you for days. Midnight Mass is Mike Flanagan’s latest creation, a meticulously crafted mystery spanning seven hour-long episodes. Riley Flynn, still paying the price of a drunk driving accident four years ago, returns home to Crockett Island, where the arrival of a charismatic new priest coincides with astonishing miracles in town. Full of foreboding and fear, Midnight is an eloquent examination of faith, with terrifying supernatural monsters along for the ride.
The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
Mike Flanagan’s The Haunting of Hill House, based in part on Shirley Jackson’s novel of the same name, weaves its horror into a deeply moving story of a broken family. Broken after growing up in a haunted house, the Crains can’t ignore their past and must do what you never want to do: return to those dark halls. The impressive sets will delight horror fans, but the sad story of the Crains will, yes, haunt you for days. The good news: The second chapter of the anthology, The Haunting of Bly Manor, is a gothic romance in a similar vein.
If you were a fan of Howard Overman’s wildly entertaining Misfits, Crazyhead might be the place you want to head. Overman’s follow-up show, which first aired in the UK in 2016, is a horror comedy starring Cara Theobold (voice of Tracer in Overwatch) and Susan Wokoma as unlikely friends who bond over being able to see demons roaming around normal society . Their brilliant double act is at the center of this disturbingly entertaining series featuring exorcisms, accidental roommate murders and demonic fathers. Yes, you have to see this for yourself.
Sci-fi
Enjoy sci-fi shows that play with two timelines? Do you have a special place for cults and mysteries? Meet Archive 81 The cross-genre series stars Mamoudou Athie as Dan Turner, an archivist who takes on a gig restoring a collection of damaged 90s videotapes. He gets a lot more than he bargained for, drawn into an investigation of a mysterious cult and a young woman who may or may not be dead. A supernatural thriller with horror, mystery, noir and sci-fi infused into its eerie atmosphere, Archive 81 has it all.
Germany’s answer to Stranger Things is deliberately taking its time before stepping into completely believable and original places. A sci-fi noir, Dark combines time travel, conspiracies and estranged families into a generational story that begins with the disappearance of a child. If those kinds of carefully crafted layers are what you’re looking for in your storytelling, settle in. All three seasons of Dark’s meditative look at time travel and its effect on human nature are waiting to hit you full force.
It wouldn’t be the best list without Stranger Things. If you somehow missed the Duffer brothers’ ode to ’80s horror and Steven Spielberg, things are about to get complete. We follow El, an almost mute girl who was the subject of scientific experiments. She develops telekinetic powers, which she uses to fend off monsters that attack from a terrifying alternate dimension. The world of Indiana, Hawkins, is lovingly detailed for anyone in need of a nostalgic ’80s hit, and the misfit characters, played by a stellar young cast, are part of everything that makes this show a tour de force.
Full disclosure: Netflix unfortunately canceled Travelers after its third season, but this tight sci-fi from Canada managed to end with an ambitious bang. We begin with Marcy, a disabled woman who is beaten after helping her friend escape from bandits. She dies — and then comes back to life. This strong character-driven sci-fi reveals its secrets in clever ways, following operatives from the future who are tasked with preventing the collapse of society, but also navigating the tricky territory of living a double life.
While Charlie Brooker’s dark tech anthology series can be hit and miss, at its best Black Mirror packages its mini-movies by exploring futuristic technological ideas through painfully human stories. One of them is San Junipero, which follows two women in the 80s (cue banging soundtrack) as they fall for each other in ways they couldn’t in their “real” lives outside the beach town. The technical aspect is revealed through ingenious timing and, in general, the series explores the consequences of our connected lives in disturbing and occasionally encouraging ways.
Drama
Denmark’s darker answer to The West Wing. Borgen is the epitome of sophisticated political drama, capturing the inspiring fictional story of how, against all odds, Birgitte Nyborg Christensen (Sidse Babett Knudsen) becomes Denmark’s first female prime minister. Produced by the same company behind The Killing, Borgen is four influential seasons of one woman’s complicated, convoluted rise to power.
Margaret Qualley is the heart of this memoir-based miniseries. Maid follows Alex, a young mother trying to support her daughter by working as a cleaner. Alex’s task is made a little more difficult thanks to an abusive relationship, poverty, homelessness and more. But it’s not all heavy subject matter, with light and charming moments that add extra sparkle to Maido. Not only a moving story expertly crafted, The Handmaiden solidifies Qualley as the main star.
The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
How to make chess the exciting center of a coming-of-age story? You shake it up with a cocktail of elegant visuals, a rocking ’60s soundtrack, and the magnetic Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon, one of the youngest (and few female) chess players in the world. The fictional story of The Queen’s Gambit, named after the opening in chess, follows her rise from an orphanage to toppling the best female players in the world — until her drug addiction and bags of wine bottles get in her way.
This miniseries is based on a memoir and told primarily in Yiddish in painstaking detail. Almost a thriller, Unorthodox follows 19-year-old Esty Shapiro, who flees her arranged marriage in an ultra-Orthodox community in Brooklyn. She ends up in Berlin, exploring a new life outside of the strict beliefs she grew up in, but her community won’t let her go so easily. Featuring a stunning performance by Shira Haas, Unorthodox lets you step into a relentlessly compelling world.
This miniseries is firmly entrenched in the western genre, with an all-female cast that boasts Merritt Weaver and Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery. With a view of 1880s New Mexico swirling around it, Godless depicts violence in a story that sees an outlaw on the run seek refuge from his boss with an outcast widower. Oh, Jeff Daniels is in this too, if the show wasn’t enticing enough.
Lavish is one word to describe the production values of The Crown, a drama about the British monarchy. Following the life of Queen Elizabeth II, beginning in her 20s with a powerful performance by Claire Foy, The Crown captures the majestic action of historical events from the depths of Buckingham Palace. Characters like Winston Churchill, Princess Margaret, Margaret Thatcher and others are treated with the highest cinematic sophistication. Seasons five and six are on their way to round out your knowledge of the Queen’s reign in the early 21st century.
Fantasy
One of the best TV shows of 2021 was an animated series. That’s right – if you’re averse to animation, Arcane is the series to change your mind. The action adventure introduces us to the steampunk world of Piltover and Zaun, two cities that clash on opposite values and wealth. Then there are Violet (Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (Ella Purnell), two sisters separated by tragedy and struggling to survive. Arcane is the kind of moving portrait that gets under your skin on par with Pixar. The characters will move you to tears. A must watch.
Based on Jeff Lemire’s comic book, this fantasy is the definition of weird and wonderful. Sweet Tooth follows Gus (star Christian Convery), a half-deer, half-human child who lives a sheltered life in the woods with his dad, Pubb (Will Forte). The events surrounding The Great Crumble, a viral pandemic, lead Gus on an adventure that branches off into mysterious, action-packed, and highly entertaining paths. Echoes of real-world battles can be heard in the canopy of this stunning fantasy world. Fans of the genre settle in for this fantastic ride.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019)
We weren’t ready for The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Canceled after one season, the critically acclaimed fantasy series is, well, a gem. A prequel to Jim Henson’s 1982 film, the series returns to the planet Thra, where three Gelflings are fomenting a rebellion against the absolutely diabolical Skeksis. The puppet design and performances – from a stunning cast including Taron Edgerton, Anya Taylor-Joy and Nathalie Emmanuel – creep up on you. You will feel deeply involved in the lives of the poor, downtrodden Gelflings, hurt as much as the puppets whenever one of their own dies. A full fantasy epic, built with love, care and stunning detail.
Crime
Based on a true rape story, this miniseries deftly navigates its disturbing and awkward subject matter with the help of Kaitlyn Dever’s outstanding performance. She plays Marie, a teenager who is accused of lying about being raped, but of course, it’s more complicated than that. Toni Collette and Merritt Wever team up as smart detectives who see what others can’t, adding another layer to Unbelievable’s delicate, powerfully moving triumph.
The film When They See Us by Ave DuVernay falls under the strict but important banner of viewership. It depicts the real-life events of the 1989 Central Park Joggers case, involving five black male suspects who were falsely accused of rape and assault. Not only does it sensitively bring the boys’ humanity into focus, When They See Us demands outrage at the injustice of systemic racism.
Four fascinating seasons of The Sinners await, each centered around a murder committed by an unexpected perpetrator under even stranger circumstances. Season 1 follows Jessica Biel’s Cora, who stabs a man to death on the beach in a sudden fit of rage, but has no idea why. It’s up to Bill Pullman’s detective Ambrose to unravel the shockingly disturbing events embedded in her psyche that led her to snap.
Many people love this series (and Netflix loves you for it), but in case you haven’t heard what all the fuss is about, Money Heist is, yes, about a heist. The brain doing the Ocean’s Eleven-level prep work with equally satisfying revelations is the Professor. He has banks in his sights and we see his intricate plans come together with slick flashbacks, time jumps and even an unreliable narrator. This is stunning TV with a clear Spanish identity — don’t let the subtitles put you off.
American Vandal (2017-2018)
The first two seasons of this mockumentary hit Netflix with a strong combination of tongue-in-cheek humor and social commentary. A parody of true crime documentaries like Netflix’s own Making a Murderer, American Vandal follows the aftermath of a high school prank gone wrong. After 27 college cars are fatally shot with gruesome phallic images, it’s up to a few sophomores to solve the crime before the wrong person is kicked out forever. Yes, this is satire. Ali weaves a surprisingly gripping mystery that creates an accurate larger picture of contemporary high school life. A great achievement.
This miniseries is from a few years ago, but if you missed it, it’s definitely worth watching. In the spirit of Sin, Alias Grace returns to the past of its young protagonist to understand why she committed a murder, which she does not remember. Adapted from Margaret Atwood’s novel, the series stars the mesmerizing Sarah Gadon as Irish immigrant Grace, who leads a turbulent life as a family servant in colonial Toronto. Partly based on a true story, this is not a simple mystery with clear answers, and that’s what makes it all the more captivating.
David Fincher directs a ton of episodes in this psychological crime thriller that spans two seasons (a third is on hold indefinitely), so meticulous visuals and gripping stories go without saying. Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) is a special agent with the FBI, sent to interview serial killers in prison to profile what drives them. Cameron Britton as real-life serial killer Ed Kemper is absolutely chilling. Mindhunter is smarter and richer than your average crime series, somehow growing with its complex characters. It would be a shame if a third season didn’t happen (although it seems like it).
Drug kingpin Pablo Escobar is the subject of this, yes, addicting series that races through his rise to infamous cocaine dealer and billionaire. A true-to-life story that blends with archival footage, Narcos manages to present the compassionate side of Escobar without undermining the weight of its material. Additionally, the DEA’s quest to bring down Escobar raises the stakes. After completing the three series, go to Narcos: Mexico, a companion series that focuses on the illegal drug trade in Mexico.
Netflix has wisely snapped up the rights to Peaky Blinders and there are five seasons, with the upcoming sixth to be the last, following the astonishing rise of 1900s Birmingham gang leader Thomas Shelby. Get ready for a mesmerizing performance by Cillian Murphy in this family saga that has a fantastic amount of fun and flair as it depicts Shelby’s relationships with other gangs, the police and the occasional lover.
Romance
If you’re looking for an immaculate new happy place to move into, look no further. Heartstopper is a great spark of a coming-of-age series, telling an LGBTQ+ love story with compassion and grace (and no one dies). Charlie falls in love with Nick, but Nick is still figuring out his sexuality. With real teenagers playing teenagers, fleshed-out characters and little animations that evoke Alice Oseman’s graphic novel of the same name, Heartstopper is a safe, joyful, life-long queer romance. Must watch.
Known as Jane Austen but with sex, this period piece offers a different take on the dating scene of the early 19th century. With lavish production design and colorful costumes, this is Regency London as you’ve rarely seen it. The love affairs of the Bridgerton siblings are chronicled in a scandalous newsletter, written by Regency London’s version of Gossip Girl and voiced by none other than Julie Andrews. Settle in for this gorge worth seeing.
This Judd Apatow creation brings out the best in the talented Gillian Jacobs (Britt in Community) and Paul Rust. They play Mickey and Gus, a pair of opposites who attract, who go to messy, frustrating and endearingly down-to-earth places, making this an honest look at a relationship built over time. Iris Apatow stands out as the hapless child actress Gus, a teacher who gets away with almost anything.
Easy, enjoyable viewing with a premise ripe for awkward humor. Helplessly in love, Dylan discovers that he has chlamydia and must track down past love affairs and inform them that they too might have it. The flashback narrative keeps us on our toes, especially when the focus turns to Dylan and best friend Evie’s feelings for each other. It never strays into soap opera territory, with an eccentric but likeable supporting cast playing English roommates in a Glasgow setting.
Movies Coming in 2022 From Marvel, Netflix, DC and More
