As far as we’re concerned, there are two key periods in modern life when it comes to the world of television: B.N. (before Netflix) and A.N. (after Netflix). Although the service has been focused on offering television shows and movies to stream instantly since 2007, who can even remember life without Netflix? Remember getting home too late for your favorite TV show? Remember having to wait every week to watch the next episode? We do, and not with much fondness. Now, there are endless options — and with the release of the highly anticipated show Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,we wanted to update you on exactly what’s available.
The only potential pitfall of our favorite streaming service? Too many damn options! Evenings once spent arguing in the aisles of Blockbuster have been replaced with endless scrolling, when all you want to do is melt into your couch for 30 minutes. So, where to start?
Let’s break down the main two categories of Netflix — classic TV shows they’re licensed to stream, like Gilmore Girls and Sherlock,and Netflix originals, like Dead to Me, The Crown, Ozark, Russian Doll,orStranger Things.Whether you’re looking to binge-watch reruns of a show you’ve known and loved or looking for a new story to grab you, Netflix has your back.
With all of this very good TV available to stream whenever you want, why make things more complicated? We took the guesswork out of your next night in front of the TV (so, tonight) and rounded up all the TV shows that are essential viewing and worth binging ASAP. Enjoy, and don’t forget the popcorn.
A version of this article was originally published in July 2015.
‘Never Have I Ever’
One of Netflix’s hidden gems is the coming of age series Never Have I Ever. The series’ fourth is currently on Netflix, and the latest batch of episodes tackles everything from identity, to mental health, high school, and so much more from its incredible cast of characters!
‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’
Following the success of Bridgerton comes Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.The show, which serves as a sequel to the original series, tells the story of a youngQueen Charlotte as she falls in love with King George and revolutionizes England all at once.
‘Catastrophe’
Starring Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, Catastrophe tells the story of an unconventional couple who come together after a quick fling ends in an unexpected pregnancy.
‘From Scratch’
Ready for a good cry? Starring Zoe Saldaña, From Scratch tells the true story of Amy Wheeler, and American artist whose life turns upside down when she falls in love with Lino, a chef, during a trip to Italy.
‘Gentefied’
Gentefied tells the story of the Morales family as they try to save their family’s beloved taco shop. A story of love, family, and gentrification.
‘Atypical’
Atypical tells the story of Sam (Keir Gilchrist), an 18-year-old boy on the autism spectrum who decides it’s time to find a girlfriend. The show is all about becoming an adult, finding yourself, and your own independence.
‘The Night Agent’
One of Netflix’s most surprising hits, The Night Agent follows FBI Agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) as he is thrown into a conspiracy that there’s a mole in the White House.
‘Better Call Saul’
If you’re a fan of Breaking Bad, look no further than its prequel Better Call Saul. The show follows Saul, a small-time attorney hustling to make a name for himself.
‘Next in Fashion’
Next in Fashion is, essentially, Project Runway but international with designers spanning from all over the globe. The newest season’s hosts are the undeniably fashionable duo Tan France and Gigi Hadid.
‘Vikings: Valhalla’
Set one hundred years after the events of the original series Vikings, Vikings: Valhalla chronicles the beginning of the end of the Viking Age.
‘Heartstopper’
Starring budding actors Kit Conner and Joe Locke, Heartstopper tells a story of young gay love and it’s the feel-good lovey-dovey show everyone needs in their life.
‘Firefly Lane’
Led by Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke, Firefly Lane tells the story of two friends, Tully and Kate, through the ups and downs of their decades-long friendship.
‘Lupin’
If you’re a fan of Omar Sy from the touching French film Untouchable, Lupin is a must for you. Without giving too much away, the story follows the brilliantly sneaky Assane Diop in his journey to avenge his father.
‘Wednesday’
Starring Jenna Ortega as the iconic Wednesday Addams and Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia,Wednesdayis all about Wednesday trying to solve a monster mystery at her new school, also known as her parents’ alma mater.
‘Emily in Paris’
From the mind of Sex and the City creator Darren Star, Emily in Paris tells the story of a marketing expert from Chicago who moves to Paris for her job. The show, which just released its third season, is a feast for the scenes. From the questionable fashion risks to the complicated love triangles, this show is entertaining from start to finish.
‘The Sandman’
Based on the graphic novels by Neil Gaiman, The Sandmanis a dreamy, fantastical series based on the personification of dreams named Dream works to find his lost equipment after being trapped by a wizard. And let’s just say, it gets quite crazy.
‘The Witcher’
Starring Henry Cavill and Freya Allan, The Witcheris all about a monster hunter’s unexpected, dangerous adventures. Magic and Cavill? Sign us up.
‘Arcane’
For cartoon lovers, you need to know about Netflix’s Arcane,which is all about the lore ofLeague of Legends.Specifically, viewers see the origin story of two iconic League champions, including fan-favorite character Jinx.
‘Sex/Life’
Netflix’s steamy show Sex/Life is all about a suburban mom stuck between choosing her future with her husband or going back to her wild child days with her first love.
‘Inventing Anna’
In case you didn’t watch it when everything was obsessed with the Anna Delvey case, now’s the time to watch the sensationalInventing Annalimited series, which follows a woman who scams her way to the top. Did we mention this is based on a true story? It’s a wild ride.
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Starring Neil Patrick Harris, the new Netflix show UnCoupledfollows a man whose partner leaves him after nearly 20 years, leaving him single again as a gay 40-something man.
‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’
For the Haunting of Hill House fans who wanted more, The Haunting of Bly Manoris just as heartbreaking, mesmerizing, and dramatic as its predecessor. A man hires a young American nanny to care for his orphaned niece and nephew at Bly Manor, and things are not always as they seem.
‘Inside Job’
Starring Lizzy Caplan and Christian Slater, Inside Jobis Netflix’s new, raunchy animated comedy series about a group of people keeping conspiracies under wraps.
‘Queer Eye’
Queer Eye is back for season 6! This time around, the Fab Five are heading down south to Texas where they meet a whole new crop of heroes and give them so much more than just a makeover. There are plenty of tears, lots of surprsing moments, and even more from our favorite crew.
‘You’
This stalker-drama starring Penn Badgley will have you hooked from the very first episode, whether you like it or not. The sociopathic Joe (Badgley) develops obsessive crushes, stalking his victims as he woos them, and inevitably digging himself a hole that he (and the women he follows) can’t get out of. And weirdly enough, this show is kind of…funny? Just trust us.
‘Squid Game’
If you haven’t heard ofSquid Game, you’re going to want to sit down while we explain everyone’s latest obsession on Netflix. The South Korean survival dramas follows contestants who compete in dangerous games to try to win a large sum of money. But, as always, there’s a catch. The consequence for not playing the game well is…death. This dramatic series has become the latest binge-able show the streaming giant has to offer!
‘Maid’
Emmy nominated actress Margaret Qualley stars in the Netflix series Maid, based on Stephanie Land’s memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive. The series follows Alex, who takes her young daughter, Maddy, and leaves an abussive relationship with Maddy’s father. Now a single mom, Alex takes a job as a maid, working everything from opulent homes to gross, dilapidated spaces in the hopes of giving herself and her daughter a better life. It’s an emotional series that also features Qualley’s mom, Andie MacDowell, as Alex’s mom.
‘Cooking With Paris’
Landing on netflix August 4, 2021,Cooking With Paris puts the iconic Paris Hilton in the kitchen to whip up some of her favorite recipes — or at least attempt to. With a bevy of celeb guest stars like Kim Kardashian, Demi Lovato, and more this show will give a whole new meaning to Hilton’s iconic catchphrase, ‘that’s hot.’
‘Bridgerton’
We honestly can’t talk Netflix without mentioning one of the streamer’s most successful shows.Bridgerton is an absolute delight with its period costumes and Regency Period setting. It’s a frothy, sexy drama that has even earned some major Emmy recognition! Before the highly anticipated awards show, you can catch up on the first season.
‘Sweet Tooth’
Sweet Tooth has become a surprise hit on Netflix. An adaptation of the comic book of the same name,Sweet Tooth puts audiences in a post-apocalyptic world and follows a young boy who is half human, half deer. Now that the show has been renewed for a second season, it’s well worth the watch.
‘The Queen’s Gambit’
Speaking of binge-worthy series, Netflix’s adaptation ofThe Queen’s Gambit is totally captivating, thanks to Emmy-nominated star Anya Taylor-Joy. Following a chess prodigy through her rise to fame and coming to terms with who she is,The Queen’s Gambit will have you coming back for more — and might even make a novice chess player out of you, too!
‘Downton Abbey’
Keep calm, and ring Carson for tea because Downton Abbey is back on Netflix! The entire six-season British series is on the streaming service just in time for the upcoming fall season. So, pour yourself some warm tea and settle in, because Downton awaits you.
’30 Rock’
Lemon, relax, because 30 Rock is officially back on Netflix. The Emmy-winning comedy from Tina Fey returns to the streaming service on August 1, 2021, and it’s here at the perfect time. Get your nostalgia binge on with this modern sitcom classic!
‘New Girl’
We’ve missed our favorite loft mates so much. Thankfully, New Girl is on Netflix and ready to put a smile back on your face! Relive all of the shenanigans from 4D for the perfect hangout sitcom.
‘Gilmore Girls’
Grab a cup of coffee and snuggle up to your BFF, because the entirety of Gilmore Girlsis on Netflix. Follow Rory and Lorelai’s mother-daughter relationship as this beloved series unfolds.
‘Ratched’
Sarah Paulson, Cynthia Nixon, and Sharon Stone star in Ryan Murphy’s new adaptation of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,now told from the perspective of the vindictive nurse. Nurse Ratched’s origin story traces her beginnings working in mental institutions and how her treatment of patients took shape.
‘Self Made’
Octavia Spencer, Kiki Hammill, Alicia Payne, and Tiffany Haddish star in Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker — the Netflix limited series was inspired by the book, On Her Own Ground written by Walker’s great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles.
Self Made brings the story of then Sarah Breedlove (Spencer) to the screen for the first time — the daughter of formerly enslaved parents and orphaned at seven, Walkerovercome remarkable odds: building a beauty empire from the ground up.
‘Away’
Away starring Hilary Swank follows her character, Emma Green, as she prepares to embark on the first mission to Mars while battling the choices she’s made including leaving behind her husband (Josh Charles) and teenage daughter (Talitha Bateman) when they need her the most.
Away premieres Sep. 4.
‘Julie and the Phantoms’
Julie hasn’t been able to think about her musical dreams since losing her mother — until now. When three ghosts of famous musicians enter her life, that spark re-ignites, and band Julie and the Phantoms is born.
‘Family Business’
Failed entrepreneur Joseph has a brilliant idea to turn his luck around: getting into the marijuana business! He decides to start France’s first marijuana shop, hearing that legalization is just around the corner, and gets to work converting his inherited butcher shop up to the task.
‘Always a Witch’
Carmen has traded the use of her powers for a life safe on earth as a witch — but that doesn’t mean she can’t reach out to others like her, right? In Season 2, Carmen goes on social media to see if she can recognize others of her own, but attracts unwanted attention along the way.
‘Young Wallander’
Kurt Wallander of the classic Swedish Henning Mankell series has just graduated from police academy and is taking on his first case in this gripping crime series.
‘The duch*ess’
Katherine Ryan’s new British Netflix rom-com show looks at a single mom juggling life, love, and her daughter Olive — while contemplating baby #2 with her ex, Olive’s dad.
‘Love Guaranteed’
She’s All That actress Rachel Leigh Cook stars in the new Netflix original ‘Love Guaranteed’ where an earnest lawyer named Susan (played by Cook) takes on a high-paying case from Nick, a charming new client (Damon Wayans Jr.) who wants to sue a dating website that guarantees love.
‘The Umbrella Academy’
Your favorite group of dysfunctional half-sibling superheroes are back in The Umbrella AcademySeason 2, once again starring Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, and more. Once again, the group is tasked with solving an impending apocalypse and forced to come together despite their unlikely bond.
‘The Baby-Sitters Club’
Your favorite babysitters are back with a new Netflix take on the classic books, starring Alicia Silverstone as Elizabeth Thomas. It’s Kristy, Claudia, Mary Anne, Dawn, Stacey, and more as you’ve never seen them.
‘Down to Earth with Zac Efron’
Zac Efron is going on a wellness journey, and he’s inviting you to come along. With Darin Olien, Efron explores different wellness practices across the globe.
‘Indian Matchmaking’
Matchmaker Sima Taparia sets up her clients in arranged marriages, and gives us an up-close view of the process of setting up couples and working with both families’ expectations.
‘Cursed’
This new look at an Arthurian legend stars Katherine Langford as Nimue, a teenage sorceress who pairs up with a young Arthur and sets off on an adventure — finding her destiny as Lady of the Lake along the way.
‘Hollywood’
Ryan Murphy’s long-awaitedHollywoodis finally here, showing you Los Angeles in the 1940s like you’ve never seen it. As usual, he focuses his story on those historically disempowered, and looks at what happened to women of color who tried to carve a place for themselves in Hollywood.
‘Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends: The Royal Engine’
This very special episode ofThomas the Tank Enginewith an introduction recorded by Prince Harry himself! Thomas and his buddies are called to London on this magical adventure.
‘Dead to Me’
Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini star inDead to Me,a dark comedy about a recent widow who makes an unlikely friend at a grief support group. Season 1 is a wild ride whose final episode left us reeling — so catch up now before Season 2 hits Netflix in May.
‘The Good Place’
Kristen Bell and Ted Danson leadThe Good Place,a comedy about what happens in the afterlife. As Eleanor (Bell) and her friends try to navigate their surroundings in the “Good Place,” they start to realize that something’s not right — and with the help of (spoiler!) demon Michael (Danson), they start to unravel what the afterlifeshouldlook like instead.
‘Russian Doll’
We can’t say enough good things about this twisty mystery series, but we’ll start with two facts: No. 1, it stars the always-fantastic Natasha Lyonne, and No. 2, it was written by Lyonne, Leslye Headland and Amy Poehler. The result is a dark, Groundhog Day-style comedy you’ll blaze through in record time.
‘Schitt’s Creek’
Would it be too presumptuous to say this is one of the funniest shows on television? Created by hilarious father-son team Eugene and Daniel Levy — who also star as father and son in the series — this smart Canadian comedy explores what happens to the privileged Rose family when their fortune is stripped away and they’re forced to start over in a tiny town full of eclectic characters.
‘Arrested Development’
When the Bluth family loses everything, it’s up to Michael (Jason Bateman) to put things back together. His mother and siblings are vain, selfish oddballs whose escapades will have you howling with laughter — and as a bonus, this series showcases Michael Cera’s rise to fame.
‘Community’
Ever wondered what happens at a community college filled with adult students? Well,Communityis not your show. This wacky comedy starring Joel McHale shows the adventures of an unlikely group of friends who formed a study group, and every out-there gambit will have you laughing harder than the next. Just don’t expect a realistic depiction of, uh, anything.
‘The Haunting of Hill House’
Tune in for a mere two minutes and you’ll understand the hysteria surrounding The Haunting of Hill House, the incredibly unnerving TV series based on Shirley Jackson’s novel of the same name. Not surprisingly, talk of future seasons is already generating buzz.
‘The Santa Clarita Diet’
Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant couldn’t be any cuter if they tried in this dark comedy about a married couple who find themselves in, um, unusual circ*mstances. We’re already counting down the days to the next season!
‘The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’
This isn’t the bubblegum Sabrina starring Melissa Joan Hart that you remember (although, to be fair, we love that one, too). More in keeping with the dark nature of the comics, this new version starring Keirnan Shipka truly is chilling… in the best possibleway.
‘Wanderlust’
It certainly won’t be for everyone. However, if you keep an open mind and like to take a risk with your TV watching, you might just find yourself a fan of this fidelity-bending series. If nothing else, Toni Collette’s performance alone merits a watch.
‘The Kominsky Method’
Anyone who tunes in to award show banter at all has undoubtedly heard of The Kominsky Method, which already picked up two Golden Globe Awards for its first season. For good reason, too! Alan Arkin and Michael Douglas play aging frenemies in the Chuck Lorre series to fantastic comedic effect.
‘The Rain’
While we’re not typically in the mood for more bad weather, we must admit we would have revolted if The Rain hadn’t been renewed. This Danish survival series captured our attention from the outset, and now we’re far too invested in the future of Simone and company.
‘Wentworth’
Fans of this gritty Australian prison drama can breathe a big ol’ sigh of relief since, contrary to rumors, it isn’t being axed (at least not yet). At the end of 2018, it was greenlit for another season. And thank goodness! We can’t wait to see what happens next in the dramatic lives of both the inmates and the prison guards.
‘The Letdown’
You don’t have to be a mother to be swept up in the charm of this Australian series about a new mom struggling to adjust. Of course, it definitely resonates with those of us with little ones because it’s the kind of refreshingly honest look at motherhood you don’t often see on-screen. Happily, more seasons are on the way.
‘The Last Kingdom’
This medieval series isn’t for the faint of heart. Blood is often shed, and it can get pretty intense at certain points. However, it’s also one of the best shows on television — you won’t regret suffering through a bit of squeamishness to get to the story of a young soldier struggling to choose loyalty to his home country or to the family and country that adopted him.
‘Sex Education’
Although Sex Education stirred up a bit of controversy due to its subject matter (a horny teen with a sex therapist mother who creates an underground sex therapy club), you shouldn’t let that deter you. This series is silly, smart, awkward, authentic and, in a word, worthy.
‘Shameless’
There’s no time like the present to catch up with the messy, dysfunctional Gallagher family. Now that Emmy Rossum is leaving the series, it will be interesting to see how the drama continues to unfold without her.
‘Good Witch’
File this one under “hidden in plain sight”! Catherine Bell plays the enchanting Cassie Nightingale, the title character in the popular Hallmark series. There’s lots to love here, among them the fact that it’s filled to the brim with strong female characters.
‘Queen of the South’
Y’all. I mean, Y’ALL. Queen of the South tells the riveting tale of Teresa Mendoza (Alice Braga), a woman forced to become a drug-smuggling magnate — and flee the Mexican cartel — after her boyfriend is unexpectedly murdered.
‘Doctor Foster’
Suranne Jones stars in this British drama series about a doctor whose life crashes around her after she discovers the marriage she thought was perfect was largely a lie. Doctor Foster has a complicated, often messy but refreshingly nuanced female-driven story.
‘GLOW’
There’s Spandex, there’s sparkle, there’s Alison Brie and Betty Gilpin — what’s not to love? The Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling are worth every precious binge-watching minute of your time.
‘Mindhunter’
This creepy Netflix original delves into thepsychology of serial killers as the FBI, in the early 1980s, began to put together a comprehensive profiling system to help track at-large killers. It sounds boring, but in the hands of the director of Gone Girl and The Social Network, this is riveting stuff.
‘Marcella’
If you happen to remember the short-lived 2007 series Pushing Daisies, you’ve likely been tuning in to every role since from its star, Anna Friel — and you’re going to want to add Marcella to that list. In this suspenseful British series, she artfully plays a homicide detective with some serious baggage.
‘Kingdom’
Looking for a fresh spin on the familiar zombie formula? Look no further than Netflix’s Kingdom. This South Korean historical TV show zeroes in on a medieval kingdom gripped by a strange plague. And, well, you’ll want to watch to find out what happens.
‘Heartland’
If you’re in need of something wholesome to watch — perhaps with your tween or teen — Heartland could be just the ticket. The Canadian series follows the life of a young equestrian with a gift for healing horses as well as her family dynamics. If the tender drama, romance and teen angst don’t pull you in, the pastoral scenery surely will.
‘Dark’
Once you start watching this mysterious German-language series, you won’t be able to stop. Centered on the disappearance of two children, its first season was met with rave reviews and drew comparisons to Stranger Things. And don’t worry — a second season is on the way.
‘Alexa & Katie’
Sure, this show is about lifelong best friends and high schoolers Alexa and Katie leaning on each other as Alexa recovers from cancer. But thanks to super-likable performances from Tiffani Thiessen (who plays Alexa’s mom) and Jolie Jenkins (who plays Katie’s mom), this one’s fun for grownups, too.
‘Stranger Things’
Everyone is going bonkers for the new cult hit and ’80s throwback Stranger Things, and after the first awesomely eerie episode, you’ll understand why. Don’t sleep on this one.
‘The Crown’
If you’ve ever found yourself obsessed with the royal family, this is the show for you. No matter how many seasons this show scores, it may not seem like enough for all of the drama surrounding a young Queen Elizabeth II and her family.
‘Jessica Jones’
Yet another new Netflix original people are obsessed with, this series follows the life of Jessica Jones, one of the darker Marvel characters.
‘Bloodline’
If I had a dollar for every person who’s recommended Bloodlineto me, I’d be well on my way to being a rich woman. And no wonder — this Netflix original series about family secrets is riveting. It was canceled after three seasons, but we promise you will be hooked through every single episode.
‘Peaky Blinders’
There are few words that will do justice to this imported BBC2 drama starring Cillian Murphy about a crime family living and operating in Birmingham, England, in the 1920s. Just trust that you need to be tuning in.
‘Grace and Frankie’
For the love of all things holy, if you haven’t watched this Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin-fronted series yet, do so immediately. Each season gets better and better!
‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidtis nonstop fun. And who doesn’t love Ellie Kemper? The last season is available now and, while it’s a bittersweet goodbye, you can’t miss it.
‘The Killing’
Astellar AMCOriginal, The Killingwill haunt you and make you fall entirely in love with Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman.
‘Derry Girls’
Derry Girlsis a dark, hysterically funny comedy series about a group of teens in Northern Ireland in the ’90s. Worth watching for the accents alone, you’ll have watched six hours of this show before you realize any time has gone by.
‘Call the Midwife’
This post-WWII series centers on the wonderful midwives and nuns of the fictional Nonnatus House in London’s East End. These public servants helpthe often-impoverished women of the Poplar district and lean on each other through it all. If you love period pieces, this is a must-watch!
‘BoJack Horseman’
You may not think an animated series about a half-horse/half-man would be incredibly clever, but BoJack Horsemanabsolutely is (and irreverently so).
‘Black Mirror’
Originally a British series that was eagerly adapted for U.S. audiences,Black Mirrorexplores the dark side of technology and has kept us thoroughly creeped out.
‘Friday Night Lights’
You do not have to love football to love this high school football drama. I repeat, you do not have to love football to love it. You just will.
‘Cable Girls’
Netflix’s first Spanish-language series, this 1920s-era soapy drama takes place in Madrid and is beautiful to watch. It’s also sexy and smart, so you don’t want to miss out.
‘The Blacklist’
Why aren’t more people talking about this crime thriller? Or, more to the point, why aren’t more people talking about James Spader’s stellar turn as Navy officer turned high-profile criminal “Red” in this crime thriller? At the risk of spoiling too much, season six is off to a captivating start.
‘Orange Is the New Black’
If you haven’t already seen this, please go now and watch this deeply affecting drama about a group of women from all walks of life as they deal with the daily issues that come from life while incarcerated. Even if you’ve already seen every season so far, you should re-watch now before the last season drops this summer.
‘Breaking Bad’
If you missed one of the most popular TV shows of the new millennium, which gained a cult following, now’s the perfect time to catch up. Why? There’s a spinoff on the way, and we cannot wait.
