If you’re looking for the next great scripted drama on Netflix, then you won’t find it this week. But there is a true crime series, Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife, which is climbing the ranks of the most popular shows on Netflix. And while no major American scripted shows are premiering on Netflix this week, the Swedish thriller A Nearly Normal Family, has also found a place on the top 10 shows.
There’s always the chance that these two shows won’t appeal to everyone. But that’s why there’s almost always something new on Netflix that caters to different audiences. For our list of the best shows on Netflix, we’ve chosen the best examples from dramas and comedies to horror, sci-fi, documentaries, and true crime, to give you as many options as possible. That’s why you’ll always be able to find something good to watch with us.
We’ve also rounded up all the best movies on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, the best shows on Amazon Prime, and the best shows on Disney+ because we take our streaming seriously. Watching while traveling abroad? Use a Netflix VPN to access your country’s catalog from anywhere in the world.
New this week
Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife
Netflix
You may feel your blood rising when watching Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife, and that’s a normal reaction. Because once you learn the full extent of medical fraud committed by Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, then you should feel angry. Desperate patients put their lives in Macchiarini’s hands for what he told them was a groundbreaking way to perform esophageal transplants. Those men and women lost their lives because Macchiarini’s claims didn’t live up to reality.
This documentary is primarily told from the perspective of Benita Alexander, a TV journalist and producer who was formerly Macchiarini’s fiancée. The titular bad surgeon was apparently a very good liar, and it took time for Alexander to realize that even she had been fooled by his deadly deceptions.
Genre: True CrimeStars: Paolo Macchiarini, Benita AlexanderSeasons: 1
A Nearly Normal Family
Netflix
The Swedish thriller, A Nearly Normal Family, quickly introduces viewers to Stella Sandell (Alexandra Karlsson Tyrefors) and her parents, Adam (Björn Bengtsson) and Ulrika Sandell (Lo Kauppi). From the outside, they do indeed seem fairly normal, right up until a man named Chris Olsen (Christian Fandango Sundgren) is murdered, and Stella is named the prime suspect.
It turns out that the Sandell family is anything but normal, and they’ve been sitting secrets that may ultimately destroy them. This miniseries constantly shifts perspective from Stella, Adam, and Ulrika to keep viewers guessing about what they know, who’s lying, and how far they’re willing to go to protect each other.
Genre: ThrillerStars: Alexandra Karlsson Tyrefors, Lo Kauppi, Björn BengtssonSeasons: 1
Drama
Virgin River
Netflix
Netflix’s hit romantic drama Virgin River is back with new episodes this week. The show follows Melinda “Mel” Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge), a former big-city nurse turned small-town midwife who came to Virgin River to give herself a fresh start. And Mel found what she was looking for in the arms of a local man, Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson).
In season 5, the entire town of Virgin River was threatened by an out-of-control fire. Now that things have calmed down for the final two episodes of the season, it’s time for Mel and Jack, as well as their family and friends, to celebrate the holidays together.
Genre: DramaStars: Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, Colin Lawrence, Jenny Cooper, Lauren Hammersley, Annette O’TooleSeasons: 5
The Railway Men: The Untold Story of Bhopal 1984
Netflix
The Bhopal disaster happened in India nearly four decades ago, so it’s not exactly at the forefront of everyone’s minds when there’s constantly a new tragedy in the news. However, the Bhopal incident was perhaps the world’s deadliest industrial accident, and it left thousands of people dead. That’s why it shouldn’t be forgotten or ignored.
The new miniseries, The Railway Men: The Untold Story of Bhopal 1984, focuses on four characters: Rati Pandey (R. Madhavan), Iftekaar Siddiqui (Kay Kay Menon), Balwant Yadav (Divyenndu), and Imad Riaz (Babil Khan). Collectively, their actions saved lives and prevented this event from becoming an even bigger tragedy.
Genre: DramaStars: R. Madhavan, Kay Kay Menon, Divyenndu, Babil KhanSeasons: 1
The Crown
Netflix
Through five seasons, The Crown has chronicled the long reign of Queen Elizabeth II (Imelda Staunton). But in the newly released sixth and final season, Diana, Princess of Wales (Elizabeth Debicki) looms larger than life, and she even overshadows the queen after her death. This season will retell the story of Diana’s final days, the accident that took her life, and what came after.
The late 20th century and early 21st century were turbulent times for Queen Elizabeth and the royal family, as Prince William (Ed McVey) courts Kate Middleton (Meg Bellamy), and his father, Prince Charles (Dominic West), finally marries Camilla Parker Bowles (Olivia Williams). Season 6 is split into two parts, with the remaining episodes arriving in December. For more related content, check out the best performances in The Crown.
Genre: DramaStars: Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce, Lesley Manville, Dominic West, Olivia Williams, Elizabeth DebickiSeasons: 6
All the Light We Cannot See
Netflix
All the Light We Cannot See is based on Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, featuring Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Laurie in key supporting roles. However, the show is led by newcomer Aria Mia Loberti, who plays a blind young woman named Marie-Laure LeBlanc, the daughter of Daniel LeBlanc (Ruffalo).
As France falls to the Nazis during World War II, Marie-Laure and her father take refuge with her great uncle, Etienne LeBlanc (Laurie). But they can’t hide from the war forever, and Marie-Laure’s fate is tied to a German soldier, Werner Pfennig (Louis Hofmann), who is forced to question his loyalty to the Nazis.
Genre: DramaStars: Aria Mia Loberti, Louis Hofmann, Hugh Laurie, Mark Ruffalo, Lars Eidinger, Marion BaileySeasons: 1
Lupin
Netflix
The French crime series Lupin is back with new episodes on Netflix. Omar Sy headlines the show as Assane Diop, a criminal who models his methods on the gentleman thief Arsène Lupin. While Assane has a lot of style, he doesn’t always take into account how his life of crime will affect his estranged wife, Claire (Ludivine Sagnier), and their son, Raoul (Etan Simon).
In the new episodes, Assane is desperate to reunite with Claire and Raoul. Before he can do that, he will have to deal with a new enemy who is directly targeting his family. And this time, the gentleman thief may be out of options.
Genre: Crime, DramaStars: Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Clotilde Hesme, Antoine GouySeasons: 2
Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber
Showtime
Uber and other ridesharing apps have become integral parts of our lives, and it’s hard to imagine not having that option now. But it didn’t happen overnight or by accident. Showtime’s Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber is now on Netflix, and it chronicles the behind-the-scenes drama of getting Uber off the ground and then retaining control of the company.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt headlines the series as Travis Kalanick, the first CEO of Uber, who works alongside Chief Business Officer Emil Michael (Babak Tafti) as they bring in Bill Gurley (Kyle Chandler) as a major investor. But neither Michael nor Gurley are particularly pleased by Kalanick’s tactics, and the company skirts the law to stay in business. Further complications ensue when Arianna Huffington (Uma Thurman) becomes involved with the company. Quentin Tarantino narrates the season, and it is a wild ride.
Genre: DramaStars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kyle Chandler, Kerry Bishé, Babak TaftiSeasons: 1
Band of Brothers
HBO
War is hell, and Band of Brothers never lets the viewers forget the high price that it takes on the men who fought through the darkest days of World War II. This epic miniseries is a dramatization about the real-life exploits of Easy Company, one of the army’s Parachute Infantry Regiments, during the war. Easy Company’s story begins in 1942, and flows through the invasion of Normandy and other European battles before the focus shifts to the Pacific and a potential campaign in Japan.
Billions’ Damian Lewis has a starring role as Major Richard “Dick” Winters, and you’ll see a lot of familiar faces in this miniseries. But don’t get too attached to anyone. Not everyone in Easy Company will make it through to the other side of the war.
Genre: DramaStars: Damian Lewis, Kirk Acevedo, Eion Bailey, Michael Cudlitz, Dale Dye, Rick Gomez, Scott Grimes, Frank John HughesSeasons: 1
Who is Erin Carter?
Netflix
Who is Erin Carter? You will find out very quickly in Netflix’s new crime thriller as an unassuming teacher living in Spain, Erin Carter (Evin Ahmad), breaks up a robbery with shocking skill and speed. Unfortunately for Erin, that means people are going to be asking some very uncomfortable questions about how she could do any of that. Erin’s daughter, Harper (Indica Watson), and her husband, Jordi (Sean Teale), want to know about her past as well.
More alarmingly, the surviving robber seems to have recognized Erin from a life she left behind. And now that Erin has exposed her hidden skill set, she can’t hide in plain sight any longer.
Genre: Crime, Thriller, DramaStars: Evin Ahmad, Sean Teale, Indica Watson, Denise Gough, Douglas HenshallSeasons: 1
Painkiller
Netflix
You may notice some similarities between Netflix’s Painkiller and Hulu’s Dopesick, but they essentially tell the same story. Painkiller is a dramatization of the rise of OxyContin and the subsequent opioid crisis that still has its grip on this country. Uzo Aduba stars as Edie Flowers, a U.S. Attorney who has been tasked with taking down Richard Sackler (Matthew Broderick), the owner of Purdue and one of the men personally responsible for this mess.
Broderick’s performance is particularly notable because he portrays Sackler as a man without even a trace of humanity. He simply doesn’t care about anyone else. But viewers may find themselves caught up in the stories of addicts like Glen Kryger (Taylor Kitsch), and the real-life testimonials of families who have lost someone to opioids.
Genre: DramaStars: Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick, Sam Anderson, Taylor Kitsch, Carolina BartczakSeasons: 1
The Lincoln Lawyer
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The Lincoln Lawyer season 2 began with Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) taking a brutal beating, and that’s also where part 1 of the season left us. Season 2 part 2 picks up from there as Mickey finds himself in quite a bind. His new client Lisa Trammell (Lana Parrilla), is facing murder charges that may land her in prison for life. And the evidence that she may have done it keeps piling up.
To make matters worse for Mickey, he’s falling hard for Lisa. But a true crime podcaster named Henry Dahl (Matt Angel) seems determined to get between them so he can exploit Lisa’s story for his own gain.
Genre: DramaStars: Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Neve Campbell, Becki Newton, Jazz Raycole, Angus SampsonSeasons: 2
Suits
Universal / Universal
It says a lot about Suits’ enduring popularity that the show has been at the top of Netflix’s most-watched charts despite ending four years ago. The series follows the unlikely partnership between prominent attorney Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht), and a brilliant con man, Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams). Harvey is so impressed by Mike’s legal knowledge that he hires him on the spot to be his associate despite knowing full well that he never went to law school.
Harvey and Mike’s efforts help the firm win several high-profile cases, even as Mike’s secret threatens to emerge. Meanwhile, Mike catches the eye of Rachel Zane (Meghan Markle), an ambitious paralegal with her own plans to advance in the legal world.
Genre: Drama, ComedyStars: Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Rick Hoffman, Meghan Markle, Gina TorresSeasons: 9
Sweet Magnolias
Netflix
There’s not much serenity in Serenity, South Carolina in the new season of Sweet Magnolias. The three women at the heart of the show, Maddie Townsend (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), Dana Sue Sullivan (Brooke Elliott), and Helen Decatur (Heather Headley), share a special friendship with each other. This season, those bonds are tested as the trio pulls away from each other in anger. But what will it take to bring them back together?
Genre: Romance, DramaStars: JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott, Heather Headley, Logan AllenSeasons: 3
Black Mirror
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The dark sci-fi anthology series, Black Mirror, is back on Netflix for another twisted season. Each episode has a self-contained story, and the first installment of the sixth season actually targets Netflix itself! Schitt’s Creek‘s Annie Murphy stars as Joan, a woman who discovers that the Netflix of her world, Streamberry, is essentially stealing her life in real-time with Salma Hayek portraying Joan’s fictional self in the original series, Joan is Awful.
But that’s only one of the five new episodes waiting for fans. As with the previous seasons, series creator Charlie Brooker has attracted a lot of big-name performers to share the small screen in his stories. And each episode of Black Mirror is a mind-bending experience.
Genre: Sci-fi, DramaStars: Annie Murphy, Salma Hayek, Aaron Paul, Josh Hartnett, Zazie BeetzSeasons: 6
Manifest
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Manifest fans, take a bow. This series would have been a casualty of a network TV cancellation if the fans hadn’t streamed the show in huge numbers on Netflix. Thanks to those efforts, the fourth and final season is now complete on Netflix. And this time, the story has a proper conclusion.
The show follows the passengers on Montego Air Flight 828, whose turbulent journey somehow kept them from landing until over half a decade had passed. Soon after, the passengers band together as they realize that their disappearance and return have a purpose. But every single one of the passengers has a death date, and their time is limited as they attempt to find out why they came back and what they are supposed to do.
For related content, please read Manifest Season 4, part 1 ending explained and Manifest Season 4, part 2 ending explained.
Genre: Drama, SupernaturalStars: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas, Athena Karkanis, J. R. RamirezSeasons: 4
S.W.A.T.
Sony Pictures TV
In May, CBS canceled S.W.A.T. after six seasons, only to reverse course and renew the show for a seventh and final season after a massive outcry. Now, the first five seasons of S.W.A.T. are on Netflix, and the show has already jumped to the No. 2 slot for the week. It’s almost like the fans are sending the powers that be a message.
Shemar Moore headlines the series as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, a leader of a Special Weapons and Tactics unit in the Los Angeles Police Department. Hondo has a good reputation with the citizens of his city, but he and his team still face the difficult task of taking down the bad guys without alienating the innocent people who live there. Hondo’s job is also made more difficult by racism and corruption in his own department. Somehow, Hondo has to hold it all together while making time for himself as well.
Genre: DramaStars: Shemar Moore, Alex Russell, Lina Esco, Kenny Johnson, Jay HarringtonSeasons: 5
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
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Netflix’s smash hit Bridgerton presented an alternate timeline in which people of color were among Britain’s high society in the early 19th century. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is the prequel series that reveals how this timeline diverged as young Charlotte (India Amarteifio) rises to power in 1761 as the wife of King George III (Corey Mylchreest).
Golda Rosheuvel also reprises her role as the older Queen Charlotte from Bridgerton in 1817 as she faces a royal crisis. Charlotte’s daughter, Princess Charlotte, has died in childbirth, leaving the royal family without an heir. And that’s something that the queen will do anything to change.
Genre: Romance, DramaStars: Wataru Ichinose, Shota Sometani, Shioli KutsunaSeasons: 1
Firefly Lane
DIYAH PERA/NETFLIX © 2022 Netflix, Inc.
Although Firefly Lane received an extended season 2 order, this is the end of the road for Kate Mularkey (Sarah Chalke) and Tully Hart (Katherine Heigl). Their friendship is at the heart of the series, and the show explores their connection at different points in their lives, from their teenage years to middle age in the present.
The second half of season 2 finds Kate and Tully’s bond challenged like never before, as they are forced to spend an extended time apart from each other. There are also secrets that could come between them. Their friendship is a powerful thing, but even that power has limits as the series wraps up its run.
Genre: DramaStars: Katherine Heigl, Sarah ChalkeSeasons: 2
The Diplomat
Alex Bailey / Netflix
Keri Russell has played everything from the all-American girl in Felicity to a deadly Russian spy in The Americans. So it seems fitting that Netflix has put Russell in the lead of its political drama, The Diplomat, which plays like Homeland by way of The West Wing. That’s appropriate because series creator Debora Cahn worked on both of those shows.
Russell plays Kate Wyler, a seasoned crisis management expert who is named the new American ambassador to the U.K. as her marriage to Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell) is falling apart. Before Kate can even catch her breath, she is thrust into a high-stakes position when Britain is attacked, and Hal’s decisions appear to undermine her duties.
For more on the Netflix show, be sure to read The Diplomat‘s ending explained.
Genre: DramaStars: Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, Rory KinnearSeasons: 1
Beef
Netflix
If you’ve ever had a moment of road rage, you know that what follows is not usually your best self. In Netflix’s black comedy, Beef, Danny Cho (Steven Yeun) and Amy Lau Nakai (Ali Wong) have a road rage encounter that transforms their lives, and not for the better.
Despite being strangers to each other before the incident, Danny and Amy’s lives become intricately tangled as their mutual rage for each other intensifies. This is not going to end well for either of them, but it’s almost impossible to look away from the carnage they leave in their wake.
Genre: Drama/ComedyStars: Steven Yeun, Ali WongSeasons: 1
Comedy
Obliterated
Netflix
In Obliterated, Navy SEAL leader Chad McKnight (Nick Zano) and CIA agent Ava Winters (Shelley Hennig) pull together a team from across the armed forces to stop a terrorist bomb in Las Vegas. Afterward, the team, which includes Trunk (Terrence Terrell), Haggerty (C. Thomas Howell), Paul Yung (Eugene Kim), Angela Gomez (Paola Lázaro), and Maya Lerner (Kimi Rutledge), celebrate by overindulging with drugs and alcohol.
Unfortunately, the team learns too late that the threat is far from over. Now, they all have to sober up quickly or else Las Vegas is going to be wiped from the face of the Earth.
Genre: Comedy, ActionStars: Nick Zano, Shelley Hennig, Terrence Terrell, Alyson Gorske, C. Thomas HowellSeasons: 1
Neon
Netflix
Everybody has a dream in Neon, but it largely revolves around Santi (Tyler Dean Flores), an aspiring reggaeton artist who just had a music video go viral. That’s why Santi and his friends are attempting to use that momentum to push his career to the next level. Vanessa, aka Ness (Emma Ferreira), acts as his manager, while Felix (Jordan Mendoza) is his social media wizard.
Together, this trio thinks they can shake up the reggaeton music world. But it’s not going to be as easy as they hope. There are a lot of hurdles between them and their goal, and their biggest challenge may be staying united.
Genre: ComedyStars: Jessie Camacho, Rose Eshay, Daddy Yankee, Michelle CortésSeasons: 1
Sex Education
Netflix
Netflix’s breakout comedy hit, Sex Education, is back for its fourth season as Otis (Asa Butterfield), Eric (Ncuti Gatwa), and their friends adjust to their new school, Cavendish Sixth Form College. It’s a big change from their days at Moordale, and Otis is particularly unsettled by the way that Eric goes off to join the popular students. Even Otis’ talents as a sex therapist may not be needed at such an open and accepting school environment.
Meanwhile, Otis’ longtime crush, Maeve (Emma Mackey) is off at school in the U.S. and charting her own academic path. But will Otis and Maeve be able to find their way back to each other before they take the next step in their lives?
Genre: ComedyStars: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Connor SwindellsSeasons: 4
Never Have I Ever
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After four seasons, Never Have I Ever wraps up the story of Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) and her high school trials Season 4 picks up with Devi in a weird and awkward space with her sometimes boyfriend, Ben Gross (Jaren Lewison), before she potentially finds new love with Ethan Morales (Michael Cimino).
Devi also has to deal with her efforts to get into the college of her choice, find emotional closure for her time in high school, and move past the death of her father. This is where Devi has to choose who she wants to be and what it will take to make her happy as she finally becomes an adult.
Genre: Comedy, RomanceStars: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Richa Moorjani, Darren Barnet, Jaren LewisonSeasons: 4
Wednesday
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Tim Burton turns his attention to Wednesday Addams in this spinoff from the Addams Family franchise, Wednesday, which focuses on the elder Addams sibling. Jenna Ortega portrays the title character, who is sent off to prep school after an incident involving a high school water polo team and two bags of piranhas. While attending the school, she soon becomes wrapped up in a series of local murders, all while trying to come to terms with her own destiny and her parents’ legacy.
Genre: ComedyStars: Jenna Ortega, Christina Ricci, Catherine Zeta-JonesSeasons: 1
Cobra Kai
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The hit sequel series to the original Karate Kid films, Cobra Kai brings back William Zabka and Ralph Macchio to reprise their respective roles as Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso, teenage rivals whose feud has extended into adulthood. Set three decades after the first film’s events, the series has down-on-his-luck Johnny attempt to start a new Cobra Kai dojo, only to have his ambitions reignite his rivalry with Daniel.
Over the course of several seasons, the series has followed the pair as they take on new students, deal with enemies and allies from their past, and eventually face a common threat — all while the teenagers under their care attempt to navigate their own high school trials and tribulations. Season 5 of Cobra Kai premiered in September 2022.
Genre: Comedy/DramaStars: Ralph Macchio, William ZabkaSeasons: 5
Mystery and Crime
The Night Agent
Dan Power / Netflix / Netflix
It took The Night Agent less than a day to race to the top of Netflix’s TV series rankings, and it seems likely to make its leads, Gabriel Basso and Luciane Buchanan, into much bigger stars. As adapted for television by The Shield creator Shawn Ryan, this intense action thriller follows FBI Agent Peter Sutherland (Basso) after he stumbles upon clues that reveal a Russian mole is working inside the U.S. government.
Realizing that the fate of the country may be at stake, Peter will stop at nothing to unravel the conspiracy and unmask the mole. He also has an unlikely ally in Rose Larkin (Buchanan), a young CEO who has already been marked for death by their mutual enemies.
For more on this Netflix show, check out The Night Agent‘s ending explained.
Genre: MysteryStars: Gabriel Basso, Hong Chau, Luciane BuchananSeasons: 1
Horror
The Fall of the House of Usher
Netflix
Horror maestro Mike Flanagan has one last miniseries for Netflix before he heads off to Prime Video. Flanagan’s final bow is The Fall of the House of Usher, a modern adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s short story and a few other works by Poe. In this incarnation, Roderick Usher (Bruce Greenwood) and his sister, Madeline Usher (Mary McDonnell), own a powerful pharmaceutical company, and they’ve passed on their ruthless streak to the next generation.
That is if there is a next generation. An enigmatic woman named Verna (Carla Gugino) may be behind the gruesome deaths of members of the Usher family. Everything that the Ushers have built is crashing down, and there may be something supernatural behind it.
Genre: Horror, DramaStars: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Mary McDonnell, Carl Lumbly, Samantha SloyanSeasons: 1
Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities
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Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro curated this collection of short films from some of horror’s most visionary, creative directors and writers. The eight stories in the series’ first season hail from a wide range of filmmakers, including Vincenzo Natali (Cube), Ana Lily Amirpour (A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night), Jennifer Kent (The Babadook), and Del Toro himself.
Genre: Fantasy/HorrorStars: Ben Barnes, Andrew Lincoln, Rupert GrintSeasons: 1
The Midnight Club
Eike Schroter/Netflix
Mike Flanagan, the creator of The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass, turns his attention to young-adult scares with The Midnight Club, inspired by Christopher Pike’s 1994 novel of the same name. The 10-episode series follows a group of young, terminally ill residents of a hospice who gather each night to tell each other spooky stories. The members of the “Midnight Club” make a pact that whoever dies first will try to send a message from the afterlife. With Flanagan at the helm of this show, be prepared for big scares.
Genre: Horror/MysteryStars: Iman Benson, Heather Langenkamp, Igby RigneySeasons: 1
Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Bodies
Netflix
Finding a dead body is almost always the start of an investigation, especially in Whitechapel, London. But in Bodies, there’s never been a murder investigation quite like this. The show follows detectives in four different time periods – 1890, 1941, 2023 and 2053 – all of whom have found the same dead body!
Clearly, something very strange is going on, and there’s a conspiracy in play that runs for the better part of two centuries. The only way the various detectives in each year can unravel this mess is if they find a way to collaborate with each other over the vast span of years between them.
Genre: Sci-fi, Crime, ThrillerStars: Shira Haas, Stephen Graham, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Kyle Soller, Amaka OkaforSeasons: 1
One Piece
Netflix
The One Piece manga and anime have been incredibly popular for decades, and now Netflix is bringing it to live-action in a new original series. Iñaki Godoy headlines the show as Monkey D. Luffy, a pirate who has elastic-like stretching powers and grand ambitions of becoming the pirate king if he can locate the fabled One Piece treasure.
As Monkey assembles his Straw Hat Pirates, Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu), Nami (Emily Rudd), Usopp (Jacob Romero Gibson), Sanji (Taz Skylar), and others join his quest as they head out for high adventures on the open sea.
Genre: Fantasy, AdventureStars: Iñaki Godoy, Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Romero Gibson, Taz SkylarSeasons: 1
The Sandman
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Neil Gaiman’s celebrated comic book series comes to life in this adaptation that casts Tom Sturridge as Morpheus, the lord of the world of dreams. When a cruel dabbler in the occult accidentally imprisons Morpheus, it begins a tale that unfolds across multiple generations and through myriad realms and ultimately puts the future of humanity at risk.
In development for more than two decades, The Sandman is a project long thought impossible to adapt faithfully, but the series somehow manages to weave together the enthralling stories and powerful themes of Gaiman’s acclaimed fantasy saga.
Genre: FantasyStars: Tom Sturridge, Boyd Holbrook, Jenna ColemanSeasons: 1
The Witcher
Netflix
Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) and Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra) now know who’s been pulling their strings in the Continent, but that knowledge might not be enough to save them as The Witcher returns with the final three episodes of season 3.
With Geralt waylaid and fighting for his life, Ciri (Freya Allan) is off on an adventure of her own that may prove to be a transformative experience. But all roads lead back to Geralt as the series faces a turning point and a very, very long wait until the fourth season arrives.
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Action, DramaStars: Henry Cavill, Freya Allan, Anya Chalotra, Eamon FarrenSeasons: 3
Stranger Things
Netflix
One of the most popular original series on Netflix, Stranger Things has become a cultural touchstone in the short time since its 2016 debut. The series’ opening sequence lays out its sci-fi aspirations clearly: A scientist flees down an empty hallway, pursued by some unseen force that eventually nabs him as he waits for elevator doors to close; it then cuts to a group of kids playing D&D in a suburban basement.
The series is rooted in ‘80s genre nostalgia, from the mysterious creature terrorizing the fictional Indiana town to the secret government agency chasing the group of kids who encounter it. There are pieces of Stephen King, Steven Spielberg, and John Hughes strewn throughout Stranger Things, and the result is a show that will feel immediately familiar to people who grew up with that source material.
For more info on the final season, check out Stranger Things season 5: Plot, date, and casting rumors.
Genre: Sci-FiStars: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby BrownSeasons: 4
True crime and Docuseries
Life on Our Planet
Netflix
Not many documentaries can boast of having Steven Spielberg as a producer and Morgan Freeman as the narrator, but Life on Our Planet is special. Unlike many documentaries, Life on Our Planet isn’t showing viewers the present or the recent history of our species, it’s going all the way back to the beginnings of the Earth, long before humans showed up.
CGI is used for sequences that could never be filmed, including the rise and fall of the dinosaurs, mass extinction events, and the eventual arrival of humans who may yet manage to destroy themselves without any outside help.
Genre: DocumentaryStars: Morgan FreemanSeasons: 1
Get Gotti
Netflix
Over three decades ago, John Gotti was essentially the real Godfather and the public head of the Gambino crime family. Everyone knew who he was and what he had done, but the federal government had extreme difficulty making the charges stick. That’s why Gotti was called the Teflon Don.
Get Gotti is a three-part documentary that chronicles how the FBI was ultimately able to bring him down. It also tells the story of what was happening within the Gambino crime family as Gotti tried to hang on to his power and his freedom. The real Gotti may be gone, but his legend lives on.
Genre: True Crime, DocumentaryStars: John GottiSeasons: 1
Beckham
Netflix
It’s not an exaggeration to say that David Beckham is one of the most famous sports icons on the planet, even if his fame in America doesn’t match the same intensity it has everywhere else. But given that the new documentary Beckham, has topped the list of the most popular shows on Netflix, it’s safe to say that some of that popularity still extends to the U.S.
Beckham runs for four episodes, and it features David and his wife, Victoria Beckham, sharing stories that range from the beginning of his professional career, through some difficult years in their union, and up until his playing days came to an end.
Genre: DocumentaryStars: David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Fisher StevensSeasons: 1
Wrestlers
Netflix
In the world of professional wrestling, very few start out on top. Netflix’s Wrestlers is a seven-episode docuseries that takes a behind-the-scenes look at Ohio Valley Wrestling, a small wrestling promotion that was once a developmental territory for the WWE that trained superstars like John Cena, Brock Lesnar, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3‘s Dave Bautista on their journey toward becoming some of the biggest names in sports entertainment.
Not everyone will achieve that kind of success. In fact, few do. And the physical toll of performing high-impact moves may not always be worth it for the men and women who dream of making it in WWE or AEW. Regardless, we wouldn’t be too shocked if someone from the cast of Wrestlers eventually reaches that goal. After all, no one ever made it in wrestling without reaching for the stars.
Genre: DocumentaryStars: Al SnowSeasons: 1
Predators
Netflix
There are several world-class nature documentaries on Netflix, and the latest addition to that genre, Predators, is all about some of the deadliest hunters in nature. Actor Tom Hardy narrates the series, and naturally, three of the episodes focus on the big cats: cheetahs, lions, and pumas. The remaining two episodes focus on polar bears and wild dogs.
This miniseries offers a rare opportunity to watch these wild creatures facing real challenges to their survival beyond hunting down their next meal. Unfortunately for these magnificent creatures, climate change and natural disasters may prove to be even deadlier than they are.
Genre: DocumentaryStars: Tom HardySeasons: 1
Quarterback
Netflix
In the NFL, the quarterbacks are essentially the rock stars of the league. Netflix’s new sports docuseries, Quarterback, puts the spotlight on three players at that position: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and ESPY award winner Patrick Mahomes, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Mahomes just so happens to be one of the best quarterbacks in the game, and he won his second Super Bowl during the production of this show. But for Cousins and Mariota, they have to fight to maintain their place in the NFL. Both men have been in the NFL for years, and their window to win it all is rapidly dwindling.
Genre: DocuseriesStars: Marcus Mariota. Patrick Mahomes, Kirk CousinsSeasons: 1
Catching Killers
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Netflix never seems to have any shortage of true crime documentaries. In the new season of Catching Killers, each episode puts the spotlight on four infamous serial killers as well as the law enforcement officials who moved heaven and Earth to find them. There are only four episodes in this season, but the cases are huge. The Railroad Killer, the Zodiac Killer, the DC sniper, and the Olympic bomber each get the spotlight. And once again, these are unforgettable snapshots of humanity at its worst. But they are also stories of resilience as well.
Genre: Documentary, True CrimeStars: N/ASeasons: 3
Our Planet II
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After a four-year hiatus, Our Planet is back for another season on Netflix, and it remains one of the most stunningly beautiful nature documentaries on the streamer. David Attenborough returns as the narrator of Our Planet II, which once again explores the impact that climate change has had on the environment and the creatures that live all over the world.
One of the major themes of this season is migration, as animals struggle to find new places to survive and thrive as they deal with both predators and pollution. As in the first season, the visuals are breathtaking and this is a unique look at the world that most people have never seen in person.
Genre: DocumentaryStars: David AttenboroughSeasons: 2
Animation
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
Netflix
Nearly two decades ago, Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim graphic novels had Harry Potter-like success. However, that success did not extend to the Scott Pilgrim vs. the World movie that was directed by Edgar Wright. Now, the franchise is getting a second chance in the new anime series, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.
This time, the story is being retold in O’Malley’s original art style, with Wright executive producing the show. Almost all of the main cast members reprised their roles for this series, including Michael Cera as Scott, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as the girl who wins his heart, Ramona Flowers. Unfortunately for Scott, he won’t be able to woo Ramona until he defeats her seven evil exes in battle. And we mean video game style battles to the death, not a game of Parcheesi.
Genre: Anime, Fantasy, Romantic ComedyStars: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, The Marvels star Brie LarsonSeasons: 1
Blue Eye Samurai
Netflix
Sometimes, a show can sneak up on you and become a breakout hit when you least expect it. That’s what’s happening right now with Blue Eye Samurai, Netflix’s unconventional anime series. Logan and Blade Runner 2049 screenwriter Michael Green teamed up with his wife, Amber Noizumi, to create the series set in Japan’s Edo period when the country was closed off from the world.
Mizu (Maya Erskine) is the titular blue-eyed samurai, a distinctive physical trait that she goes to great lengths to hide in her quest for revenge. Mizu’s skills quickly make her a lot of powerful enemies, even though her greatest secret is that she’s a woman, despite passing herself off as a man. She also tends to leave behind a lot of collateral damage in her wake, because she lets nothing get between her and her deadly goal.
Genre: Anime, DramaStars: Maya Erskine, Masi Oka, Brenda Song, Darren BarnetSeasons: 1
Castlevania: Nocturne
Netflix
The first Castlevania anime was a crossover hit for Netflix that appealed to fans of the video games that inspired it, as well as horror and animation lovers. The new series, Castlevania: Nocturne, picks up a few centuries later and thrusts the story into the middle of the French Revolution. With Dracula out of the picture, the Vampire Queen, Erzsebet Báthory (Franka Potente), is planning an apocalypse that could bring about the end of the world.
It’s going to take some new heroes to defeat Báthory, including Richter Belmont (Edward Bluemel), Maria Renard (Pixie Davies), and a former slave-turned-sorceress named Annette (Thuso Mbedu). Each of the trio has a personal stake in this conflict, but none more than Richter. A vampire killed Richter’s mother, Julia Belmont (Sophie Skelton), and he wants his revenge.
Genre: Fantasy, HorrorStars: Edward Bluemel, Pixie Davies, Thuso Mbedu, Franka PotenteSeasons: 1
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
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This edgy, high-octane anime series is inspired by the Cyberpunk 2077 video game, but you don’t need to know anything about its source material to appreciate the brutal, bonkers adventure it offers. The series follows a young street kid in the neon- and chrome-filled Night City who falls in with a crew of mercenaries and soon finds himself struggling to hold on to his humanity in a world obsessed with cybernetic augmentation.
Genre: AnimationStars: n/aSeasons: 1
Arcane
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You don’t need to know anything about the League of Legends game franchise to enjoy this critically-acclaimed adult animated series set in a steampunk world where magic and technology shape the simmering relationship between a utopian metropolis and the oppressed city in its shadow.
Full of gorgeous animation and compelling characters, Arcane follows a pair of sisters whose tragic childhood puts them on opposite sides of the war to come, set against a stirring, powerful score. Once you dive into the first season, it’s difficult not to see it through to the end in one shot — which is probably why Netflix green-lit a second season premiering sometime in 2023.
For more info on the next season, please read everything we know so far about Arcane season 2.
Genre: Animated/Sci-fiStars: Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, Harold LloydSeasons: 1
Reality
Squid Game: The Challenge
Netflix
How much do people love Squid Game? Enough that the new reality competition series Squid Game: The Challenge has ratcheted to the top of the most popular shows on Netflix. The iconography and games will all make more sense if you’ve seen Squid Game. But the short version is that 456 players from around the world are competing for $4.56 million dollars. And that field of competitors is going to get a lot smaller very quickly.
Although the penalty for failure on this show is not death, there were reportedly injuries among the competitors and threats of lawsuits. Regardless, that hasn’t stopped this show from striking a chord with viewers.
Genre: Reality CompetitionStars: N/ASeasons: 1
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