Who doesn’t love a good Netflix marathon? The beloved online streaming service is home to hundreds of movie and television titles that are available for streaming all at the tips of your fingers. Whether you’re in need of some “me-time” or you’re itching to keep up with all of the trending shows in pop culture, choosing a new Netflix series to watch can be difficult.
From feel-good classic comedies like Friends to impactful time period dramas like The Crown, there’s no shortage of addictive, award-winning, and downright binge-worthy television shows to watch on Netflix. But have no fear: you don’t have to worry about sifting through the endless sea of the titles available for streaming; keep on reading to see 32 of the best shows to watch on Netflix right now.
The Crown
Being a royal may look a dream come true for most people, but this Netflix time period drama explores what it’s really like to be queen. The Crown follows Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy, for seasons one and two) as she navigates life both as a young woman in London in the 1950s and as a member of the strict and highly scrutinized royal family. After her father passes away, leaving her the duty to take on role of the Queen, she must learn how to separate her family from her country, how to handle her sometimes-jealous husband Prince Philip (played by Dr. Who’s Matt Smith), and just how hard it is to be a woman in charge among strict, old-fashioned men. This Netflix original series currently has two seasons released, and as the series progresses in time it will recast everyone in the show to keep the portrayals as realistic as possible.
Stranger Things
If you have yet to see this wildly popular Netflix sci-fi series, it’s time to change that. Stranger Things follows residents in the town of Hawkins, Indiana who are sent into a frenzy after a series of unexplained supernatural occurrences and the disappearance of a young boy. His three friends, accompanied by a girl with unknown, psychokinetic abilities, set out to find what’s truly causing strange things to happen in a drama that’ll hook you from beginning to end (and leave you feeling nostalgic for the 1980s). For die-hard fans, have no fear: though there are only two seasons released right now, Netflix and the show’s creators, The Duffer Brothers, have confirmed that Stranger Things will stick around for at least two more seasons. Boo-yah.
Black Mirror
We all know that we live in a society driven by technology and the media – but what happens when we become too dependent on it? Black Mirror offers some insight into what our future could look like. This British science fiction series explores the effects technology will have on us in a futuristic, dystopian setting (that sometimes doesn’t seem too far away from the present). Each episode follows a totally new plot, meaning none are connected and you can pick and choose which episodes you watch and in what order. While some are lighthearted and experimental, be prepared to be hit with heavy (and sometimes disturbing) ideas. Whether you’ll want to throw away your phone for good is up for debate, but this series will most definitely make you think next time you sign up for a dating app or leave your laptop webcam uncovered.
Love
Love is in the air – and it’s on Netflix, too. This Netflix original rom-com series, created by Judd Apatow, was designed to give a realistic, down-to-earth look into the way coupes look at dating today through both the male and female perspectives. This honest, realistic look at love in the modern age struck a chord with viewers – it was released in 2016 and was quickly renewed for more seasons. While the third season was announced to be the last, all 34 episodes are available to watch now. Start swooning!
Jessica Jones
If you’re in the mood to watch a show with a powerhouse female lead, look no farther than Marvel’s Jessica Jones. Played by Krysten Ritter, former superhero Jessica Jones opens up her own detective agency and dedicates her time to finding her former tormentor. This show doesn’t shy away from important, hard-hitting topics like sexuality, rape, PTSD, and more. Ritter shines as this Marvel classic, and the show was just renewed for a third season earlier this year.
13 Reasons Why
High school is, without a doubt, a tough time in every teenager’s life. As you find yourself navigating friendships, love, drama, and lessons as a young adolescent, it’s easy to forget that everything you do and say has an effect on people – and that’s the message Hannah Baker, played by Katherine Langford, is trying to get across after she committed suicide. In Netflix’s original series 13 Reasons Why, she leaves behind 13 tapes for her fellow classmates, and each one tells a specific person why they contributed to Hannah’s death. When her friend Clay comes across the tapes, he makes it his mission to get justice for Hannah while struggling to cope with the loss of his friend. Though it’s emotional, it’s powerful and conveys an important message nonetheless – and fans are anxiously awaiting the release of the second season.
Gilmore Girls
Pack your bags, because it’s time to take a trip to Stars Hollow! Revisit The WB’s Gilmore Girls, the beloved show about the quick-witted, coffee-loving mom and daughter duo Lorelai and Rory (played by Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel) as they navigate life in their small town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. It’ll make you nostalgic for your childhood and for your parents – and once you’ve binged all seven seasons, watch the special Netflix revival series Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. This four-episode special, which was released in 2016, follows the Gilmore girls years after the original show ended in 2007 and ends with a particularly shocking cliffhanger. Thus die-hard fans are begging for Netflix to release another revival.
Madam Secretary
Calling all girl bosses: Madam Secretary is a must watch if you love shows that feature a strong female lead. Tea Leoni stars as Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord, who finds herself juggling her professional and personal lives inside the White House all while battling personal politics and managing global issues. The series originally aired on CBS in 2014 and is currently in its fourth season. The first three seasons are on Netflix, and if you’re a fan of politics and drama, you’ll love this show.
Queer Eye
Queer Eye is back and better than ever! This Emmy award-winning show, which first came to Bravo in 2004, has been renewed for a new round on Netflix. The original show followed five gay men who specialized in various lifestyle aspects including style, culture, interior design, grooming, and fashion. The team found men (who were often straight) that needed a makeover from the team to totally revamp their life. The revival series, which was released on Netflix earlier this year, follows a totally new team that sets out to continue their mission of using their skills to transform someone who really needs all the help they can get. Can you say #goals?!
Mindhunter
Based on the crime book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker, Netflix brought Mindhunter to life in 2017. Based in the 1970s, the series follows a number of FBI agents who interview serial killers who are in jail to understand how their minds work. They put their knowledge to use to understand and solve ongoing cases – and much of the content is based on real life cases and criminals. It doesn’t take much to get hooked on this show, and Netflix announced in late 2017 that it would be renewed for a second season.
Sherlock
If you’re a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes detective stories, watching Netflix Sherlock is a no-brainer. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the titular role of Sherlock Holmes as he solves mysteries in London. It’s a modern take on the classic tale. The show originally aired on the British Channel BBC One and was brought to American programming on CBS. There are currently four series available to watch on Netflix, and while there has been talk of the creation of a fifth, there has been no official word from producers if the story of Sherlock Holmes will continue.
The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story
It was a crime that captivated America in 1994, and FX brought it back to life in their 2016 true-crime anthology series The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story. Sarah Paulson, Cuba Gooding Jr. and David Schwimmer star in the drama that follows the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and the trial of her accused husband (and famed NFL star) OJ Simpson. The show was well received by audiences and won nine of its 13 Primetime Emmy Award Nominations, which is more than any other show has won. Relive the trial that shocked America on Netflix: all ten episodes are available to watch now.
Godless
Girls run the world – or, they run the small mining town of La Belle, New Mexico in Godless at least. This western drama, made for Netflix in 2017, is an action-packed story set in the 1800s about an outlaw gang member who finds himself in the town of La Belle, which is left completely inhabited by women after a mining accident killed all the men living there. Between all the shootouts and the fight for power among the women and the ruthless gang they encounter, this will make all the women watching feel more empowered than ever. Since this was originally made as a limited series, there hasn’t been any word on a renewal for a second season.
The Office
It’s one of NBC’s most iconic sitcoms, and all nine seasons of The Office are available to watch on Netflix. This show, which aired from 2005-2013, follows the Dunder Mifflin Paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania, led by quirky boss Michael Scott (Steve Carell) and his antics that his employees love to hate. This hilarious sitcom is filmed like a reality show that was created to give viewers a look into a seemingly ordinary paper company (though thanks to the less-than-ordinary employees at Dunder Mifflin, nothing about this company is “ordinary”). You can also watch the UK version of The Office on Netflix too, which served as the inspiration for NBC’s adaptation.
Parks and Recreation
Pawnee, Indiana is the best place in the whole world, according to local government leader Leslie Knope, that is. NBC’s original sitcom Parks and Recreation follows the diverse employees of the Parks and Recreation department of the local government in Pawnee, led by their ambitious (and eccentric) leader Leslie (played perfectly by Amy Poehler). Filmed in a “reality” style similar to The Office, you can stream all seven seasons (which aired on NBC from 2009-2015) right now.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Kimmy Schmidt, is, for lack of a better word, unbreakable. This eccentric but lovable character, played by Ellie Kemper, has been rescued from a cult’s basement where she has been held captive for 15 years. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt follows its protagonist as she navigates her new life in New York City where she’s determined to be seen as anything but a victim. After its Netflix release in 2015, it was met with positive critical acclaim, and its fourth season will air later this year in May.
Friends
They’ll be there for you… all ten seasons of Friends, that is. This iconic sitcom from NBC is perfect to binge all at once or just an episode here or there – because who doesn’t love keeping up with Ross, Monica, Rachel, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe as they navigate life in Manhattan? This show racked up nominations and awards during its ten years on the air, and the series finale was the fifth most-watched series finale ever, with over 50 million people tuning in. Binge all of your favorite memories at Central Perk and beyond thanks to Netflix adding this series to its streaming service.
Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad is one of the most successful television shows of all time, and thanks to Netflix you can watch all five seasons online. The show aired on AMC from 2008-2013 and follows a high school chemistry teacher (Bryan Cranston) and his former student (Aaron Paul) who resort to selling methamphetamine to pay for Cranston’s cancer medical bills while navigating the dangerous criminal world that comes will selling crystal meth. In 2013, Breaking Bad was named the most critically acclaimed show of all time by Guinness World Records – so if you have yet to see it, add this to your next Netflix binge ASAP.
Arrested Development
Arrested Development originally aired on Fox from 2003 to 2006, but was brought back by Netflix in 2013. This sitcom follows the Bluth family, a dysfunctional bunch who were once wealthy but now have to learn to live like an “average” family. The show is shot continuously and with a handheld camera, voice-overs, and “found footage” to accompany the story. Though the show won multiple Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe awards, its viewership struggled, leading to Fox canceling the show in 2006. But after Netflix brought the series back, it continues to perform well; its fifth season will air later in 2018.
Santa Clarita Diet
Sheila Hammond is a seemingly normal mom and suburban real estate agent – you know, until she starts craving human flesh. Somehow, Sheila turned into a zombie, and it’s up to her child and her husband to help her control her cravings and keep up their “normal” appearance (and figure out how Sheila even became a zombie in the first place) in Santa Clarita Diet. Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant star in this comedy/horror original series for Netflix that was released in 2017. After receiving positive reviews, Netflix renewed it for a second season, which was released earlier this year.
Mad Men
Take a trip back to the 1960s in this wildly popular AMC hit time-period drama Mad Men. It follows the personal lives of several employees at a Manhattan advertising agency and often relates to real life issues faced by working Americans during its time period. Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, January Jones and Christina Hendricks are just some of the members of the show’s all-star cast, which ran from 2007 to 2015 – and you can catch up on all seven seasons on Netflix.
Requiem
Matilda Gray is an accomplished, award-winning cellist living her dream, but her life comes to a shocking halt when her mother commits suicide, sending her into a frenzy of questioning and self-discovery. Requiem is a British supernatural thriller that originally appeared on BBC One in 2018, and the entire first season was released on Netflix a few months later. Lydia Wilson stars in this gripping show with such a wild ending, it’ll leave you begging for more.
The Good Place
When Eleanor Shellstrop unexpectedly died, she was sent to The Good Place, a Utopia made to be exactly like Heaven, to reward her for leading a good life – but it doesn’t take very long for her to find out she was sent there by mistake. She has to quickly correct her dirty mouth and questionable moral decisions so she can stay there before getting sent away to The Bad Place. Kristen Bell stars in this fun NBC sitcom that was released in 2016. NBC just renewed The Good Place for a third season, and the first season is available to watch on Netflix.
Daredevil
To the average person, Matt Murdock is an average lawyer (who happens to be blind) but by night, he turns into Daredevil, a masked superhero who fights crime in Hell’s Kitchen New York City. Charlie Cox stars in Daredevil, the Netflix original series which was created as a continuation of the famous story in the Marvel Comics series. The series was first released in 2015 and resulted in a spinoff series called The Punisher. Daredevil is still currently in production, and the third season is expected to be released later this year.
Narcos
Set in Colombia in the 1970s, Narcos is a Netflix original series that follows Pablo Escobar, a billionaire who made his money (and his empire) by selling cocaine. There are currently three seasons available on Netflix, and they follow the life of Escobar and his interactions with the drug cartel, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and more. This gripping (and unsettling) story remains popular with its viewers, and Netflix shared that it will continue for at least one more season that is expected to be released in late 2018 or early 2019.
New Girl
Zooey Deschanel stars in New Girl, a beloved sitcom that follows Jess – an eccentric teacher who moves into a loft with three men who are all maneuvering the love lives, careers, and friendships that come with life as a thirtysomething. It was named one of the best comedies of 2011 fall TV season, and the show is currently in its seventh and final season on Fox. The first six seasons are available to watch on Netflix!
Gossip Girl
You know you love her (and love to binge-watch her): Gossip Girl! This teen drama from The CW follows The Upper East Side’s most elite teenagers as they navigate all the drama and scandals (released publicly by the anonymous blogger named Gossip Girl) that comes with being Manhattan’s finest socialites. With an all-star cast including Blake Lively and Leighton Meester, this show is a favorite for a reason. During its run from 2007 to 2012, it won a whopping 18 Teen Choice Awards.
Peaky Blinders
Set in Britain in the 1920s right after World War I, Peaky Blinders is a BBC Two production that follows a crime gang called the Peaky Blinders (named for their lethal razors hidden in their peaked caps) led by Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) as they make their money by illegal betting and the ominous black market. The first season aired in 2013 and the fifth season is expected to be released in 2019 – but all current seasons are available to watch now on Netflix.
Twin Peaks
Who killed Laura Palmer? It’s a question that has stumped the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s department for 25 years, and the FBI agents on the case quickly learn that they’ve got their work cut out for them. The 2017 revival of the horror/mystery Twin Peaks, which originally aired on ABC from 1990-1991, brings viewers back to the mysterious town of Twin Peaks where unexplainable mysteries are the norm. Showtime brought the show back as an 18 episode miniseries (which has since been released on Netflix) to explore the mysteries left unanswered. Several publications like Rolling Stone called it the best TV show of 2017.
Parenthood
Parenthood is far from easy, and that’s exactly what this NBC series aims to show. Loosely based off of the 1989 movie of the same name, Parenthood follows the Braverman family: the two elder parents, their four adult children, their families, and their lives in California. The show aired on NBC from 2010-2015 and gained attention for the way they incorporated one of the children’s life with Asperger’s syndrome into the series. The heartfelt series features an all-star cast including Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, and Dax Shepard. Though the show is no longer on air, all six seasons have been released on Netflix. Fair warning: It’s a tear-jerker.
The West Wing
Have you ever wondered what an average day in the White House looks like? That’s what the NBC original show The West Wing is all about. It follows the fictional president Josiah Bartlet (played by Martin Sheen) and his staff in their day-to-day duties (and personal scandals) in the West Wing. The show received high critical acclaim and won a number of awards, including three Golden Globes and 26 Emmy’s during its time on the air from 1999-2006. All seven seasons can be watched on Netflix!
Shameless
Everyone likes to think their family is the craziest, most dysfunctional bunch out there – but the Gallagher family in Shameless just might take the top spot. With a stellar cast including William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum, this Showtime series follows Macy’s drunken adventures as a single father that leaves his six kids to fend for themselves. The show’s producers said they aimed to make this family as realistic as possible, and they tackle issues like alcoholism and life as a lower-class family with a big dose of comedy. This is the longest running original scripted series on Showtime – it was renewed for a ninth season earlier this year, and the first seven seasons are currently on Netflix.