Say what you will about our generation, people from yesteryears just can't compete with our modes of entertainment. A thousand different shows and all the latest movies from across the world, are just an internet connection, a browser tab, and a couple of clicks away. Netflix is one such treasure chest full of A-class entertainment content, and every week or so we end up stumbling across our latest source of streaming addiction. And then the next thing we know, we've clicked "next episode" 10 times in a row and the weekend has flown past in a flurry.
Well, we want to help you in your path of entertainment discovery. Which is why, we brought all the best shows on Netflix under one blog article. If you're on the hunt for your next binge-watch fix, you no longer need to frantically google "recommended shows on Netflix", for this is a one-stop guide that has it all. And on that note, let's jump into this thoughtfully curated list of the 25 best TV shows on Netflix that will definitely hold your attention captive for hours on end.
1. Stranger Things
This is undoubtedly one of the most popular shows Netflix has released in recent years, one that took the entertainment world completely by storm. And the best part about Stranger Things is that it deserves every bit of the hype and global recognition it has received so far. A Netflix series that will suck you in like a vortex from the moment you hit play, the show revolves around the story of a group of children in a small town and their unsettling trysts with the world of monsters. The cast is absolutely adorable, and one of the major reasons you won't be able to stop yourself from watching the entire thing at one go!
Image Courtesy - Digital Spy
Creator
Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
Star Cast
Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Winona Ryder
IMDb Rating
8.8/10
2. Sex Education
It's one of those brilliant shows on Netflix you're bound to love everyone in and everything about! It's also a show that a number of us probably started watching with no particular expectations, but ended up feeling more than pleasantly surprised with. Sex Education is wickedly hilarious, shockingly honest, and totally heartwarming. The characters, the relationships they share, the plot, the cinematography, and that dry sense of British humour, there's nothing in this show that won't leave you with a wide, wide smile.
Image Courtesy - The Buzz Paper
Creator
Laurie Nunn
Star Cast
Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa
IMDb Rating
8.3/10
3. Narcos
I don't know how to sum up this show, except for you've GOT to watch it! Just take a random stranger's word for it, you won't be able to leave the edge of your seat for the entirety of the 3 seasons. Following the real historical account of the infamous Columbian cocaine kingpin, Pablo Escobar, and the spread of drug cartels that destroyed Columbia through the 70s and 80s, Narcos is sheer brilliance as a TV show. While the story this Netflix series is based on, is now known to most, the story-telling, visuals, cast performance and high-octane drama does a fantastic job at keeping you glued. Seriously, watch it!
Image Courtesy -
Creators
Carlo Bernard, Chris Brancato, Doug Miro
Star Cast
Pedro Pascal, Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook
IMDb Rating
9.5/10
4. Breaking Bad
If you've seen this show, you probably wish every day that you could wipe your memory slate clean, just to experience the genius that is Breaking Bad all over again. And if you haven't seen it already, what planet are you living on? There's a reason this show has again, and again, and AGAIN, been dubbed as the greatest TV show ever made, a gold standard in the world of entertainment no other show has been able to compete against so far. I could string together as many words as I'd like, but I'd never be able to do justice to describing Breaking Bad's brilliance. People compete with each other on how many times they can re-watch the series, perhaps that indicates its unparalleled perfection as a Netflix show?
Image Courtesy - The Guardian
Director
Vince Gilligan
Star Cast
Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn
IMDb Rating
9.5/10
5. Black Mirror
Black Mirror has over the years, gained a loyal legion of fans and immense popularity across the globe. Perhaps because it's so deeply unsettling but in a great way. Black Mirror has emerged as one of the best TV shows on Netflix owing to its brilliantly crafted episodes, that are entertaining the whole way but with a grim reality check of sorts. The stories are captivating, yet by the end of each episode, you're faced with a bleak feeling and can't help but reflect over the darker aspects of humanity, and what the future might hold for the society at large.
Image Courtesy - The Times
Creator
Charlie Brooker
Star Cast
Daniel Lapaine, Hannah John-Kamen, Michaela Coel
IMDb Rating
8.8/10
6. Friends
Now, this one doesn't really warrant an introduction, does it? Say what you will about the show, and lord knows it has its hoard of both fans and critics, but there's no denying the feel-good lightness you're left with at the end of a Friends episode. I know several people who've used this iconic TV show to perk themselves up at the end of a long day. Whether it's Rachel's ditziness or Chandler's awkward sarcasm, every episode of Friends has the ability to be an instant pick-me-up. And thank god the Netflix gods heard our prayers for this TV show is on Netflix India and isn't going anywhere anytime soon!
Image Courtesy - The Indian Express
Creators
David Crane, Marta Kauffman
Star Cast
Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer
IMDb Rating
8.9/10
7. Mindhunter
Two words, David Fincher. If you find yourself fascinated by the psychology of serial killers and exploring what makes a psychopath tick, I would yell at you to watch this show from the rooftops if I could. Now, you might be disappointed if you go into this show expecting a 7even-esque fast-pace and thrilling action scenes, because this one, is a slow burner. One that is undoubtedly worth the patience. It's a smart, intriguing show that you will inevitably feel drawn to, if not right from the beginning at least a couple of episodes later. So, hang in there, and get ready to be mind-blown.
Image Courtesy - Vanity Fair
Director
David Fincher
Star Cast
Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv
IMDb Rating
8.6/10
8. You
Penn Badgley's hotness aside, this show has definitely been one of the most talked-about TV shows on Netflix in recent years. Just look at all the memes! But seriously, it's an absolute binge-worthy series with a certain dark magnetism to the main character that you won't be able to resist for long. The storytelling is compelling, and the second season gets even better than the already chart-topping first season. The episodes are thoroughly entertaining to watch, and while Joe is clearly a raging lunatic, you'll find yourself loving his creepiness.
Image Courtesy - Harper's Bazaar
Creators
Sera Gamble, Greg Berlanti
Star Cast
Penn Badgley, Ambyr Childers, Victoria Pedretti
IMDb Rating
7.8/10
9. Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina
A spin-off based on one of the most adored childhood fictional characters of Sabrina, the teenage witch, this Netflix Horror TV Show adopts a more mature, and darker approach to the story. It explores the world of occult and witchcraft while maintaining an engaging storyline and progressive character development. With a heavy gothic influence, this Netflix TV show is perfect for curling up on the bed and binging through multiple episodes.
Image Courtesy - Wired
Creator
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Star Cast
Kiernan Shipka, Ross Lynch, Lucy Davis
IMDb Rating
7.6/10
10. Dark
With carefully cultivated and emotionally grounded characters, Dark does a brilliant job at showcasing a theme, many previous movies and shows have failed at. Slightly mind-bending in nature, the storyline is brimming with time travel and paradoxes. It is a cerebral Netflix Horror TV Show that refuses to spoon-feed the audience and yet manages to quench their curiosity at the right places. Dark is captivating, stimulating and compelling, providing you with enough reason to add it to your list of the best TV shows on Netflix.
Image Courtesy - JustWatch
Creators
Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese
Star Cast
Karoline Eichhorn, Louis Hofmann, Jördis Triebel
IMDb Rating
8.7/10
11. Sherlock
The legendary 19th-century character created by Sir Arthur Conan Dyle, is now in 2010 England. This Sherlock Holmes has his own website, likes to use his Blackberry and gets his kick from nicotine patches. A concept that could've so easily been messed up, was executed brilliantly in this iconic show, and fans roaming around with a "Sher-locked" t-shirt when the show rose in popularity, is testament to why it's a must mention in this list of the best TV shows on Netflix. Cumberbatch is ingenious, and Martin Freeman as Dr Watson brings the perfect touch of normalcy to the side-kick of a "high-functioning sociopath".
Image Courtesy - The Buzz Paper
Creators
Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat
Star Cast
Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Una Stubbs
IMDb Rating
9.1/10
12. Rick And Morty
Most of the time, when a show gets as hyped as this one has in recent times, it ends up failing to match its stellar reputation. That is so not the case with Rick and Morty. One of the best animated TV series on Netflix, Rick and Morty is a perfect amalgamation of smart, creative and downright hilarious. It's crazy, often dark, and sometimes profound, but the bizarreness of the show is what will get you hooked on it. It's a great mix of comedy, sci-fi and emotion, all the episodes of which are absolutely entertaining through and through. "Come on, flip the pickle, Morty!"
Image Courtesy - NME
Creators
Dan Harmon, Justin Roiland
Star Cast
Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer
IMDb Rating
9.2/10
13. Sacred Games
Undoubtedly one of the best Indian TV shows on Netflix, Sacred Games has attracted a massive following owing to its gritty screenplay and adrenaline-inducing drama. It's proved to be a revolutionary series in the genre of Indian television, and with its dark yet gripping story and brilliantly-written characters, Sacred Games' magnetism is hard to resist. The performances by the leads in the show are absolutely stunning, and if you're looking for a realistic TV show to binge-watch on Netflix next, this is a take on India's socio-political and religion scenario you need to witness.
Image Courtesy - HuffPost India
Creator
Varun Grover
Star Cast
Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Neeraj Kabi
IMDb Rating
8.7/10
14. The Sinner
If you are someone who feels drawn to darker themes and obscure content, this show is a must-watch. It's an unusual series that will keep you guessing till the very end, and definitely deserves to be categorised as one of the best thrillers on Netflix right now. More than a who-dun-it, it's a why-dun-it and the episodes make you feel super unsettled with their insider look at what it takes to commit a heinous crime. All the performances are top-notch, and this is a show that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout, biting your nails in anticipation.
Image Courtesy - Digital Spy
Creator
Álex Pina
Star Cast
Úrsula Corberó, Álvaro Morte, Itziar Ituño
IMDb Rating
8.4/10
15. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
The best part about this A-class comedy show on Netflix? No forced laugh tracks! The awkwardness of Brooklyn Nine-Nine is what makes it so hysterically hilarious! The entirely original content, the whip-sharp wit of most of the characters, and the ditziness of some is going to win your heart about a couple of episodes into the show. Regardless of how many seasons pass, the story continues to be refreshing because of the heartwarming character development and rib-tickling jokes!
Image Courtesy - Deadline
Creators
Dan Goor, Michael Schur
Star Cast
Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews
IMDb Rating
8.4/10
16. The Crown
The Crown is an exemplary drama show, and with its meticulous attention to detail, stellar direction, historically accurate storyline, and remarkable performances, has quickly gained the reputation of being one of the best historical shows on Netflix. It's entertaining, compelling and immensely educational, and if you've always been interested in the extraordinary life of Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family, this is the most flawless dramatisation you're probably going to come across.
Image Courtesy -
Creators
Peter Morgan
Star Cast
Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Olivia Colman
IMDb Rating
8.7/10
17. Ozark
It's a unique show, that doesn't get half the credit it deserves. Based on the story of a family that gets sucked into the world of crime and money laundering, Ozark is a terrific script brought to life by some of the finest performances the world of television has witnessed in recent times. The casting is just perfect, and the series continues to get more captivating with every season. This show has violence, mature themes and darker meanings, but if you're prepared to handle the intensity, it's one of the best TV shows on Netflix to have been released recently.
Image Courtesy - Panasonic
Creators
Bill Dubuque, Mark Williams
Star Cast
Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz
IMDb Rating
8.4/10
18. Peaky Blinders
If Victorian crime shows are right up your alley, this is a show you will enjoy thoroughly. Based on a gangster family by the same name in Birmingham, England and their near-invincible boss Thomas Shelby, Peaky Blinders should be on your radar because of its sheer quality as a TV show on Netflix. It comes with a surreal dark industrial landscape as background, rich characters brought to life by remarkable actors and phenomenal screenplay, but its Cillian Murphy's portrayal of Tommy Shelby that alone is good enough reason to binge-watch this show.
Image Courtesy - Smithsonian Magazine
Creator
Steven Knight
Star Cast
Cillian Murphy, Paul Anderson, Helen McCrory
IMDb Rating
8.8/10
19. That 70s Show
There's usually a very good reason why some TV shows gain the reputation of being classics, and That 70s Show is a true example of that. It's one of the best, eccentric casts you will see on television, and all of them are equally lovable in the show. It's incredibly funny, and the humour is pleasantly refreshing, especially for a show that first came out in 1998. It's indisputably one of the best sitcoms on Netflix, and in general as well.
Image Courtesy - US Weekly
Creators
Mark Brazill, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner
Star Cast
Topher Grace, Laura Prepon, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher
IMDb Rating
8.1/10
20. Bojack Horseman
The immense depth of the storyline hiding away in this iconic animated show on Netflix has led Bojack Horseman to occupy a special space in the hearts of all binge-watchers across the globe. What seems like an ordinary cartoon show for adults at first glance, is quick to take on the form of an immensely emotional journey, full of existential musings, and hard-hitting truths about life. It's an intelligent show, that is definitely worth the patience of sticking around especially through the first season, and if I had to sum it up quickly, Bojack Horseman just gets TOO real.
Image Courtesy - The Verge
Creator
Raphael Bob-Waksberg
Star Cast
Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie
IMDb Rating
8.7/10
21. House Of Cards
A political thriller web series based on the novel of the same name by Michael Dobbs is a rather callous insight of the ruthless and corrupt world of politics. There's betrayal, there's drama, there are some unspeakable certainties and an uncomfortable honesty throughout the seasons. This Emmy and Golden Globe-winning drama-series will indubitably give you a glimpse of what goes on the other side of the table.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
Creators
Beau Willimon
Star Cast
Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Jayne Atkinson
IMDb Rating
8.7/10
22. Orange Is The New Black
In Litchfield Penitentiary, upstate New York, a woman in her 30s is sentenced to 15-month imprisonment for a life she thought she left behind. The most-watched original series is a seven-season long journey of discovering your inner demons and then learning to set them free. Don't blame us if you find yourself connecting to each character in the most twisted but beautiful way possible. And for the time you spend with them in jail, a strange reality of how similar people's lives are in and out of the prison will hit you soon enough.
Image Courtesy - IMDb
Creators
Jenji Kohan
Star Cast
Taylor Schilling, Kate Mulgrew, Laura Prepon
IMDb Rating
8.1/10
23. The End Of The F***ing World
Strange and deranged are the two words that quite accurately describe the entire plotline and the central characters of the series. If you live for stuff that is dark, comical and musically woke, this British television series is definitely for you. My advice; binge on this one when you have plenty of time to spare because once you fall into their graphically harrowing rabbit hole, there's no coming back from it.
Image Courtesy: Wallpaper Cave
Creator
Charles Forsman
Star Cast
Jessica Barden, Alex Lawther, Charlie Covell, Navin Chowdhry
IMDb Rating
8.1/10
24. Thirteen Reasons Why
By the end of their third and final season, you'll know a lot about mental health, even if you have never formally studied the subject of psychology. And it goes without saying that it will restore your faith in seeking help and maintaining friendships. From explaining the 13 reasons why someone would reach a point of no return, this series will leave you some heartfelt empathy. But don't forget that the reality you live in will have people whom you can trust and share your darkest secrets with. And if it helps, you are not alone!
Image Courtesy: Wallpaper Cave
Creators
Brian Yorkey
Star Cast
Dylan Minnette, Brandon Flynn, Katherine Langford, Alisha Boe
IMDb Rating
7.7/10
25. Atypical
Although predictable, Atypical is a feel-good eye-opener into the life of a young teenager on the autism spectrum and his family. The prior attempts on capturing the life of a mentally abled child in a movie or several series haven't seen a wide success due to their negligence in covering the challenges of the families with a special kid. And that's where this series went right in the most realistic way possible.
Image Courtesy: Filmaffinity
Creators
Robia Rashid
Star Cast
Keir Gilchrist, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Jennifer Jason Leigh
IMDb Rating
8.3/10
Um, where's your bucket of popcorn?
