45 of the Best Shows to Watch on Netflix Right Now
Thrillers, dramas and comedies – these are some of the best shows to stream from the comfort of your own Netflix account.
Remember the days before streaming services, when you had to swap your slippers for real shoes on a cold Wednesday night and schlep out to the local Blockbuster or Video Ezy to hire something to watch? We don't either – who could be bothered wearing shoes?
Anyway, those days are long behind us. If you’re looking for the best shows to stream from the comfort of your own Netflix account, here are 45 binge-worthy suggestions. Not all of them are new, but they're all top-notch!
1. The Man with 1000 Kids
Watch as a group of families learn that the charismatic Dutch man they had trusted to donate sperm to fulfil their dreams of having children is also a sperm donor to hundreds — or perhaps thousands — of other children across the world. Putting a spotlight on the lack of international regulations for sperm donors, The Man with 1000 Kids shows the irreversible impact this has had on countless families and children, but also the biological father himself.
2. The Gentlemen
A spinoff of one of Guy Ritchie’s greatest films, The Gentlemen series promises to bring swagger to the screen over eight weed-infused episodes. White Lotus’ second-season hot-yet-douchebag-husband, Theo James, plays Eddie Horniman (the joke writes itself), the heir to his father’s estate which he soon discovers also happens to be part of a cannabis empire. If you were a fan of the film and worry the remake won’t do it justice – relax. Ritchie is at the helm as creator, co-writer, executive producer, and director of the first two episodes.
3. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team
This two-season reality TV series follows the rigorous audition process and intense training camp for the iconic cheerleading squad of the Dallas Cowboys. Get an inside look at the high standards, demanding physical routines, and emotional journeys of the candidates, as well as the management and coaching from the team's director, Kelli Finglass, and choreographer, Judy Trammell. Blending athleticism, dedication, and charisma, this insightful docuseries unveils what is actually required to become part of one of the most famous cheerleading squads in the NFL.
4. Sprint
Balancing endless training, media scrutiny, and fierce international competition, Sprint uncovers how the fastest people on the planet navigate these challenges in the race to become the world’s fastest humans. Eye-opening, emotional, and inspirational, Sprint follows big-name athletes Sha’carri Richardson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Noah Lyles – just to name a few – as they race to take the crown for the fastest person on earth.
5. Heartbreak High
This incredible reboot of the iconic Australian TV drama, Heartbreak High stole our attention (and hearts) when it was first released in 2022. Following the drama-filled lives of a group of Australian high school students, season 1 exploded onto our screens and broke all kinds of streaming records as we watched Amerie’s secret sex map propel Hartley High into chaos, and season 2 delivers another addictive dose of high school drama and teen angst.
6. 3 Body Problem
Perhaps the most anticipated follow-up in television history, everyone has wondered what GoT writers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss would come up with next. The answer is 3 Body Problem, an adaptation of Liu Cixin’s sci-fi novel that explores how a decision made in 1960s China impacts a group of scientists in the present, who must work together to protect humanity from its greatest threat. And what is that? You’ll have to watch to find out.
7. Ripley
In real life he goes by Andrew Scott, but to all those who watched Fleabag, he will forever be 'Hot Priest'. In this Netflix psychological thriller though, he goes by Tom Ripley, a New Yorker hired to convince a wealthy Italian’s son to return home. But, as we all know, The Talented Mr. Ripley doesn’t always play by the rules. Also starring Johnny Flynn and Dakota Fanning, this eight-episode series will have you glued to the couch all weekend.
8. Baby Reindeer
This gripping psychological thriller miniseries follows the unsettling real-life story of Richard Gadd, a British comedian who was stalked in his 20s. Created and starring Richard Gadd himself, this bizarre tale shows the great lengths Richard’s stalker went to, and the dark buried trauma Richard had to face as a result of this living nightmare.
9. Supacell
Redefining the superhero genre with a fresh take on storytelling and origin stories, Supacell delves into the lives of ordinary people in South London who suddenly develop superhuman abilities. Unlike any superhero story you’ve seen before, the series focuses on the challenges and moral dilemmas faced by these individuals as they navigate their new powers. As they struggle to understand and control their abilities, they must also confront external threats and uncover the mysterious source of their powers.
10. Bridgerton
For those who may have missed it or aren’t yet caught up, Netflix’s behemoth series Bridgerton is the very embodiment of the beloved romance trope. Its third season follows Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton as their childhood friendship evolves into something much sweeter, while season four turns the spotlight on the second eldest son, Benedict.
11. Bodkin
Only Murders in the Building spawned a new genre of podcast-inspired true crime shows, and we’re all the better for it. In Netflix’s dark comedy series, Bodkin, SNL alum Will Forte plays an American podcast host who travels to a small coastal town in Ireland with a team of armchair detectives to revive a cold case. Alas, as they dig, they discover more bones than they bargained for.
12. Unbelievable
Perhaps the most unbelievable part of this incredible new Netflix series is that it’s based on a true story. Whilst the treatment of a young victim who is accused of lying about her rape will make your blood boil, the persistence of two female detectives to bring her rapist to justice makes the outrage worthwhile. All eight episodes are out, so there’s this weekend sorted.
13. Schitt’s Creek
This one is for anybody a little late to the Rosebud Motel party. If you’re looking for some witty, mostly wholesome, truly lol-inducing light-hearted comedy, then it’s time to head up Schitt’s Creek without a paddle. The cast of characters is so endearing that it’s impossible to pick a favourite, and the only time this show has ever made us feel sad is when we found out the sixth season will be its last.
14. Happy Jail
Not only does Happy Jail deserve an award for the biggest oxymoron in a title, it also wins for uncovering a real-life story much stranger than fiction. In this five-episode series, filmmakers are granted unprecedented access into the lives of inmates at CPDRC jail in the Philippines – the same jail that went viral for its ‘Thriller’ dance video in 2007.
15. Wild Wild Country
With just six episodes making up the series, Wild Wild Country is one you won't be able to stop once you start. A truly fascinating subject, tensions flare when a cult leader plans to build his idea of utopia in the desert in Oregon. Met with objections from other nearby locals, violence begins to break out as a result. Add this to your 'must-watch list' for something different.
16. The Queen's Gambit
The Queen's Gambit follows orphan Beth Harmon, as she navigates sexism, addiction, and isolation as a chess prodigy during the Cold War era. With its captivating characters, iconic beauty and fashion references and vivid cinematics, even if chess isn’t usually a topic that would pique your interest, this story of female empowerment is one to watch.
17. Sex Education
This is the kind of show you can binge-watch in a week, or a few days if you clear your schedule. This aesthetically-pleasing high school drama that ensues in this British smash hit is full of heartwarming moments, cringe-worthy, awkward scenes and all the lush countryside scenery to swoon over.
18. Griselda
Debuting at number one in 90 countries is nothing to sneeze at – a feat Griselda managed to achieve within its first week of release. Produced by and starring Sofía Vergara in her most critically acclaimed role yet, the biographical crime drama is inspired by the real life of infamous Colombian drug lord Griselda Blanco and her pursuit of power and wealth in the Miami drug scene. It’s gritty, gripping and a good six hours of edge-of-your-seat material.
19. The Lincoln Lawyer
Adapted from the first of several novels featuring the character of Mickey Halle, a charismatic defence attorney who runs his business out of his Lincoln Continental sedan, after inheriting the practice from Hollywood lawyer Jerry Vincent. Mick takes on cases across Los Angeles, but nothing could ever prepare him for the case of a lifetime, which puts his practice and life at risk.
20. Heartstopper
The coming-of-age show we all fell in love with when it first premiered – the heartwarming, sweet, and totally lovely queer teen romance Heartstopper – tells the story of an unlikely friendship between Nick and Charlie and their experiences at an all-boys school.
21. Human Playground
No matter what your preference is for television shows, you’re bound to enjoy Human Playground. Explore the origins and evolution of play across the globe, from marathons in the desert, bullfighting, brutal bicycle races, and ice swimming. This six-part docuseries shows different activities that push people to the brink, physically and mentally. With beautiful cinematography and captivating narration by Idris Elba, Human Playground is more than just a television show – it is a work of art.
22. Keep Sweet: Pray And Obey
Examining the life of Warren Jeffs and his involvement in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Keep Sweet: Pray And Obey unveils the sickening trauma inflicted on the young women who were members of the FLDS at the same time. The four-episode series unpacks Jeffs' involvement in the church, and the insidious moves that were made to take advantage of his victims.
23. Never Have I Ever
Fans of Heartbreak High will love Never Have I Ever, Mindy Kaling’s coming-of-age series that's in its fourth season on Netflix. Never Have I Ever’s casting is impeccable, introducing us to a diverse crew of talented young actors just like Heartbreak High, while also representing a modern Indian American family.
24. Stranger Things
If you somehow missed the global phenomenon that turned ’80s nostalgia, synth soundtracks and kids-on-bikes horror into a full-blown cultural reset, now’s the time to dive in (or revisit). Set in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, Stranger Things follows a tight-knit group of kids whose lives are upended by a missing friend, secret government experiments, and a parallel dimension known as the Upside Down. What starts as a Spielberg-inflected coming-of-age story quickly evolves into something darker, stranger and surprisingly emotional. Season five (the final of the series) is fresh to Netflix, so there’s never been a better time to press play.
25. His & Hers
A smart, slow-burn thriller that trades jump scares for psychological unease, His & Hers digs into the murky space between truth and memory. Based on Alice Feeney’s bestselling novel, the series stars Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal, and centres on a journalist and her police-detective husband as they investigate the same murder from very different angles. What unfolds is less about whodunnit and more about how well we really know the people we love. Gripping from start to finish!
26. Gilmore Girls
When Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) was 16, she gave birth to baby Rory (Alexis Bledel). Now, 16 years later – and after years of estrangement from her own ritzy parents, who didn’t support her when she became a teen mum – Lorelai and Rory begin to rekindle those relationships, now that Rory is attending a posh high school and being thrown into the world her mother thought she had left behind in order to make a new life in the quaint Connecticut town Stars Hollow. Gilmore Girls remains some of television’s greatest comfort food, a series that is so easy to watch and warm that it’s like spending time with some of your best friends.
27. Orange Is the New Black
Based on Piper Kierman’s memoir ‘Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison’ this drama-filled series will have you bingeing whole seasons in one weekend. Get to know a team of inmates and guards as they navigate prison life and wait for their sentences to end. There’s love, loss, and a whole lot of arguing. Grab your popcorn – this one’s a goodie!
28. Outlander
The first season of Outlander introduced us to Claire (Caitriona Balfe), who accidentally time travelled back from her post-WWII present-day Scotland all the way back to 1743, to a country on the brink of civil war. There, she stumbles into the path of the dashing Jamie (Sam Heughan), and a time-travelling, multi-dimensional, era-spanning love story ensues. This romantic period drama is all-engaging and all-encompassing television, full of mystery and passion.
29. Dear Child
Based on Romy Hausmann’s chilling novel, this twisted six-part German series follows Lena, a mother who was kidnapped 13 years ago and has been living in high-security housing in complete isolation with her two children, Hannah and Jonathan. Her kidnapper controls every aspect of their lives, including when they can eat, sleep, and use the bathroom. The show begins with Lena’s daring escape and unravels from there. Fans of true crime and films like The Room will be transfixed by this series.
30. Too Much
Written by GIRLS’ Lena Dunham, Too Much is self-aware and deeply attuned to the messy contradictions of modern womanhood. The series follows a New York woman (Megan Stalter) who relocates to London in the wake of a personal implosion, only to discover that, spoiler, reinvention is rarely as clean as the fantasy suggests. It’s romantic and cringe and surprisingly profound; skewering dating and ambition with Dunham’s signature mix of wit and vulnerability – and the kind of show that feels uncomfortably close to home (in the best possible way).
31. Last Stop Larrimah
Crime junkies should add this documentary about a mystery murder to their watchlist, ASAP. Sharing the story of a tiny Aussie outback town Larrimah and its 11 inhabitants. When one of them vanishes inexplicably, suspicions arise, and a hidden history of internal conflicts is revealed among the remaining residents. Everyone is considered a suspect.
32. Formula 1: Drive to Survive
Before you roll your eyes and say “not another car show”, give at least one season of Drive to Survive a chance. Following the highs and lows of the drivers and teams in the multi-million dollar Formula 1 industry, Formula 1: Drive to Survive goes behind the scenes to give the viewer an insight into the elusive world of one of the richest and most dangerous sports. Whether you’re a fan of the sport already, or have never cared less, this is a show that everyone can sit down and enjoy.
33. Black Rabbit
Black Rabbit is a slick New York drama about brothers making bad decisions and the kind of loyalty that gets you into trouble fast. Jude Law plays the polished, put-together sibling, while Jason Bateman is the chaotic wildcard whose return threatens to undo everything. Set around a buzzy restaurant and creative scene, it’s all late nights, rising stakes and the creeping sense that the past never really stays buried. Dark, tense and very bingeable, it’s the kind of show you put on “for one episode” and, suddenly, it’s midnight.
34. Bad Vegan
After marrying an elusive man who claimed he could make her dog immortal, vegan restaurateur Sarma Melngailis finds her life veering off the rails. A tale of fame, fraud, and fugitives, this captivating docuseries recounts the insane tale of how Sarma illegally funnelled money out of her restaurant – so her new lover could pay it to a semi-divine entity offering eternal life.
35. Diagnosis
Based on her New York Times magazine column of the same name, Dr. Lisa Sanders crowdsources diagnoses for all kinds of rare conditions in this medical mystery docuseries. It’s like a real-life episode of House, but with much higher stakes because the patients are real and they’re racing against the clock. We probably wouldn’t recommend this one to any hypochondriacs out there, though, unless you want to spend the rest of the night frantically Googling your common cold symptoms on WebMD.
36. When They See Us
Based on a true story (eek!), this emotional series chronicles five teens from Harlem as they battle the false accusation of a brutal attack in Central Park. Your heart will break as you step inside heated courtroom scenes and get a glimpse into the corruption and deceit of the police officials in charge of this case.
37. The Brothers Son
Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once) was made for the role of Eileen, the matriarch and Boss B of a crime family mid-crisis. An eight-episode black comedy, The Brothers Son promises “Gangsters, martial arts, and at least one fight scene featuring a person dressed in an inflatable dinosaur costume”, and honestly, what more could you want in a series?
38. The Crown
True to the structure of this multi-Emmy-winning franchise, The Crown refreshes its cast every two seasons, allowing the story to move through time with striking precision. In its later chapters, the ensemble evolves to include Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana, Dominic West as Prince Charles, Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II, and Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret – performances that carry the series through its final era with nuance and gravitas.
39. Queen Charlotte
The ton is abuzz with any news of more Bridgerton shows. Queen Charlotte is both a prequel and a sequel, following the young Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio) in her courtship with the young King George (Corey Mylchreest), while flashing forward to the present-day Queen reflecting on her family and their achievements. There’s plenty of the present-day Queen, Lady Danbury and even Violet Bridgerton for the fans, but the prequel stuff is fantastic and India Amarteifio is a star. Bridgerton fans will swoon.
40. American Nightmare
Described as "The real-life Gone Girl", this newly released true-crime docuseries isn't for the fainthearted and will sit with you for a while. In 2015 Denise Huskins and her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn, were woken in the middle of the night by a group of intruders who abducted Huskins. But when Huskins reappears, police accuse both of them of coordinating an elaborate kidnapping hoax. This series features intense interrogation and harrowing details of Huskins’ ordeal, so buckle up if you're a true-crime junkie.
41. Beef
The brilliant new Netflix miniseries that is currently top of all the viewing charts, Beef is a drama about hard work – one character is trying to sell the business she has built so that she can finally take some time off; another is desperately trying to get his break – but it’s also about what hard work can do to a person. It’s a very smart series that has people binging for good reason.
42. You
When the manager of a bookstore falls madly in love with one of his customers, the result is anything but a normal love story. Starring OG Gossip Girl heartthrob Penn Badgley, Joe will go to the extreme to remove obstacles (or should we say people) that stand between him and his crush, Guinevere. This psychological thriller has 4 seasons that will literally keep you on the edge of your seat.
43. Boy Swallows Universe
An all-star Australian cast brings Trent Dalton's classic novel to life on screen in Boy Swallows Universe, starring Phoebe Tonkin, Simon Baker, Travis Fimmel, and Anthony LaPaglia. In a crime-meets-coming-of-age-story set in 1980s Brisbane, this seven-episode series follows 12-year-old Eli Bell as he grows up in an unstable household surrounded by drugs, crime, and tough love. A classic Australian book that looks set to become a classic series.
44. Worst Roommate Ever
With each episode revealing a different dark truth, chilling true crime series Worst Roommate Ever is sure to send a shiver up your spine. Recounting harrowing tales of seemingly harmless roommates who reveal themselves as real-life malevolent nightmares, their victims retell their terrifying stories of these unbelievable events.
45. Wayward
We’re not going to sugarcoat it – Wayward is unsettling (but addictive). It’s set around a so-called academy for “troubled teens” – and the less said going in, the better – but what really hooks you is Toni Collette, who is genuinely chilling as the woman in charge. Created by the comedian Mae Martin, the show balances mystery with a sharp awareness of power, control and how easily harm gets dressed up as help.
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