20 Best Netflix Original Shows of All Time, Ranked

Image via Netflix Published Jul 27, 2026, 1:12 PM EDT Tania Hussain is an Executive Editor at Collider responsible for creative, editorial, and managerial duties. In addition to leading content ideation and development, she works to generate innovative and compelling ideas for feature articles and reviews with her editorial team across Features, Lists, Reviews, and Interviews. She also serves as the primary editor overseeing Collider’s Signature Series profiles, spotlighting some of the most influential voices in film and television. Tania has helped cover and ideate content for major events for Collider, including the Toronto International Film Festival. She has also conducted more than 100 interviews since her start in the business more than 15 years ago. Some favorites include Joel McHale, Charlie Cox, Jennifer Garner, Tina Fey, Kate Winslet, Bob Odenkirk, Andy Richter, Jordan Schlansky, Jamie Dornan, Yeardley Smith, Rafe Spall, Esther Smith, and a reasonable toss-up between Cookie Monster and Kermit the Frog. She has covered set visits, in-person junkets, and red carpets for several films and TV shows, including most recently, The Sheep Detectives, Masterchef, and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Sign in to your Collider account Netflix is a streaming platform that offers a wide range of shows and movies. With the platform’s success, Netflix has garnered trust in its production of quality shows. From binge-worthy guilty pleasures to high-stakes dramas, Netflix has filled the audience's entertainment void with impactful TV shows. Among some of the best the platform has to offer are the bold Netflix original dramas, mind-bending sci-fi, and animated hits with epic visuals. This list of Netflix originals is filled with their very best series that push boundaries and captivate global audiences, ultimately leaving a lasting impact on pop culture. 20 'The Umbrella Academy' (2019–2024) Image via Netflix A chaotic, humorous story that provides relatable themes in a unique way. The Umbrella Academy follows the humorously dysfunctional Hargreaves siblings, as they reunite to solve the secret to their estranged father’s death, all the while coming to terms with themselves, each other, and the unique superpowers they all wield. The Umbrella Academy takes viewers on a captivating ride. Unfortunately, the series met its conclusion after its fourth season, leaving fans unsure whether they were satisfied with the show’s end or if more was needed. Regardless, lovers of the sci-fi series appreciate the show for its cast of strong performers, unique story, and wild action. 19 'Sex Education' (2019–2023) Image via Netflix This series offers a fun and bold take on the lifestyles of modern teens. Sex Education follows Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield), a hopelessly awkward teen who, inspired by his mother, a sex therapist, assembles a hidden clinic where he advises his fellow students on sexuality and intimacy. Sex Education’s portrayal of teenagers' experiences is raw and unfiltered, making it one of the best teen shows ever. The series is praised for its blunt and progressive approach to discussing sexuality. With its amazing cast of characters and personal storylines, Sex Education provides audiences with a view into controversial topics with comedic moments, sensitivity, and honesty. The Netflix-acclaimed original does its story well, exploring themes of identity, personal growth, and sexuality while blending humor with many heartfelt moments. 18 'Heartstopper' (2022–2024) Image via Netflix Heartstopper is an incredibly wholesome series that premiered in April 2022. The iconic show features a romantic coming-of-age drama that follows British teens, Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) and Charlie Spring (Joe Locke), as they navigate their identities, friendships, school, and love. The wholesome story offers an uplifting tone and genuine storytelling. With sickeningly sweet moments of budding love and self-acceptance, Heartstopper truly enthralls its audience with a wholesome story. While the series maintains a gentle tone, it also tackles some very tough topics, including bullying, a sense of belonging, mental health, and eating disorders. One of its greatest aspects, such as its positive representation of LGBTQ+ relationships, resonates well with various audiences, solidifying its place on this list.​​​​​ 17 'Bridgerton' (2020–Present) Image via Netflix Standing as a cherished favorite of the romance genre since its debut back in 2020, Bridgerton brings to life an incredibly beautiful story. The series, based on the eponymous novels by Julia Quinn, features the Bridgerton household, as they navigate the dramas of the ton, familial challenges, and the show’s highlight, love. Among the drama and the spice is a well-thought-out story. Bridgerton became wildly popular, loved for its visuals, music, setting, and story. While the show does take a few creative liberties with historical accuracy, its fantastic and enthralling love story quickly wins over any viewers who may be skeptical. With the exploration of important themes like class, identity, gender, love, and family dynamics, it is no wonder the romantic TV show is so loved and is truly one of Netflix’s best. 16 'Dark' (2017–2020) Image via Netflix Premiering in December 2017, this German sci-fi series explores themes of free will, destiny, and the consequences of messing with time. Dark centers around time travel, family skeletons, and a strange town where certain occurrences repeat themselves over several generations. Its mind-bending story and haunting atmosphere completely immerse viewers as they attempt to unravel the puzzles within the fictional town of Winden, Germany. Dark is known for its intricate storytelling, which challenges viewers with its mysteries, but handsomely rewards dedicated audiences with a deeply satisfying experience and brilliant writing. With well-executed plot twists and intricate time travel mechanics, Dark is a well-thought-out and unique story, leading it to make this list of Netflix's best. 15 'Love, Death & Robots' (2019–Present) Image via Blur Studios This animated anthology series debuted on the Netflix platform in 2019, featuring stunning visuals and brilliant storytelling. Love, Death & Robots is a unique series that features a collection of short stories varying in genre, including fantasy, science fiction, and horror. In every installment, there is a unique animation style and a standalone story. While each episode provides a different experience, Love, Death & Robots, in its entirety, is a refreshing change from the standard sci-fi series. Each episode of the series offers an entertaining surprise due to the series’ anthology format. With deep themes, a variety of amazing animation styles, and breathtaking visuals, Love, Death & Robots appeals to a wide range of viewers, as an innovative must-watch. 14 'Black Mirror' (2011–Present) Image via Netflix Often presenting dystopian futures and unnerving what-if scenarios, Black Mirror is an anthology series that dives into the dark side of technology and its impact on human civilization. With thought-provoking content that challenges standard societal norms, Black Mirror has a habit of creating incredible stories capable of both entertaining and unsettling audiences in the same breath. With an interesting take on modern technological advancements and their potential consequences, Black Mirror inspires questions and debates about real-world tech. The incredible series can come off a bit cynical during its entertaining episodes, but Black Mirror guides audiences into an interesting frame of mind, as they question ethical ramifications, leading it to be one of the better standouts on Netflix, with its unique premise. 13 'When They See Us' (2019) Image via Netflix This miniseries is a gut-wrenching but necessary portrayal of systemic racism and wrongful imprisonment. Making its debut in 2019, When They See Us, based on the true story of the Central Park Five, follows Black and Latino teens who are wrongfully convicted of a terrible crime in 1989. This exposes the deep and troubling flaws of the U.S. justice system and the lifelong impact on those unfortunate enough to get tangled in it. When They See Us is a heavy and difficult watch that brings awareness to the truth of the real-life miscarriage of justice. The series offers a view into the incredible feats of human resilience in a powerful way. The series is continuously regarded as one of Netflix’s most notable, offering an impactful story and shedding light on hard truths. 12 'The Crown' (2016–2023) Image via Netflix The Crown offers an intricate depiction of the inner workings of the British Monarchy. Inspired by real events, the series chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, portraying personal and political occurrences that shaped the second half of the 20th century. The Crown is known for its brilliant performances and high production value. The series provides a look into the complex world of the British monarchy, giving its viewers an immersive setting. The Crown dramatizes true events in a striking way that captivates its audience with the drama that lives behind the throne. The series' in-depth analysis of personal sacrifice and duty, as well as its stunning cinematography, make it one of Netflix's most notable original shows. 11 'The Haunting of Hill House' (2018) Image via Netflix This widely acclaimed horror series blends a deep emotional narrative with an entertaining supernatural element. The Haunting of Hill House alternates between two timelines, centering around five siblings who were raised in a haunted house and their present-day battles with grappling with their past traumas. The series uses a slow-burn approach to inspire tension throughout, and this often creates an awesome and very impactful haunting atmosphere. The Haunting of Hill House is a blend of immersive storytelling, intriguing characters, and a unique approach to horror, using its hair-raising atmosphere to tackle daunting themes of grief and loss. With its genuinely scary moments mixed with touching depth, the series provides a Netflix favorite for fans of the horror genre. Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive? The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you'd actually make it out of alive. 💊The Matrix 🔥Mad Max 🌧️Blade Runner 🏜️Dune 🚀Star Wars TEST YOUR SURVIVAL → 01 You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do? The first instinct is often the truest one. APull on every thread until I understand the system — then figure out how to break it. BStop asking questions and start stockpiling — food, fuel, weapons. Questions don't keep you alive. CKeep my head down, observe carefully, and trust no one until I know who's pulling the strings. DStudy the patterns. Every system has a rhythm — learn it, and you learn how to survive it. EFind the people fighting back and join them. You can't fix a broken galaxy alone. NEXT QUESTION → 02 In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely? What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires. AKnowledge. If you understand the system, you don't need resources — you can generate them. BFuel. Everything else — movement, power, escape — runs on it. CTrust. In a world of fakes and informants, a truly reliable ally is rarer than any commodity. DWater. And after water, information — the two things empires are truly built on. EShips and credits. The galaxy is big — you survive it by being able to move through it freely. NEXT QUESTION → 03 What kind of threat keeps you up at night? Fear is useful data — if you're honest about what you're actually afraid of. AThat reality itself is a lie — that everything I experience has been constructed to keep me compliant. BA raid. No warning, no mercy — just the roar of engines and then nothing left. CBeing identified. Once someone with power decides you're a problem, you're already out of time. DBeing outmanoeuvred — losing a political game I didn't even know I was playing. EThe Empire tightening its grip until there's nowhere left to run. NEXT QUESTION → 04 How do you deal with authority you don't trust? Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything. ASubvert it from the inside — learn its rules well enough to weaponise them against it. BIgnore it and stay out of its reach. The further from any power structure, the better. CAppear to comply while doing exactly what I need to do. Visibility is the enemy. DManoeuvre within it carefully. You can't beat a system you refuse to understand. EResist openly when I have to. Some things are worth the risk of being seen. NEXT QUESTION → 05 Which environment could you actually endure long-term? Survival isn't just tactical — it's physical, psychological, and very much about where you are. AUnderground bunkers and server rooms — cramped, artificial, but with access to everything that matters. BOpen wasteland — brutal sun, no shelter, constant movement. At least the threat is honest. CA dense, rain-soaked city where you can disappear into the crowd and nobody asks questions. DMerciless desert — extreme heat, no water, and something enormous living beneath the sand. EThe fringe — backwater planets and busy spaceports where the Empire's attention rarely reaches. NEXT QUESTION → 06 Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart? The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are. AA tight crew of believers who've seen behind the curtain and have nothing left to lose. BOne or two people I'd trust with my life. Any more than that and someone talks. CNobody, ideally. Alliances are liabilities. I work alone unless I have no choice. DA community bound by shared hardship and mutual survival — people who need each other to last. EA ragtag team with wildly different skills and total commitment when it counts. NEXT QUESTION → 07 Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all? Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they're actually made of. AI won't harm the innocent — even the ones who'd report me without hesitation. BI do what I have to to protect the people I've chosen. Everything else is negotiable. CThe line shifts depending on who's asking and what's at stake. DI draw a long-term line — nothing that compromises my people's future, even if it'd help now. ESome lines, once crossed, can't be uncrossed. I know which ones they are. NEXT QUESTION → 08 What would actually make survival worth it? Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another. AWaking others up — dismantling the illusion so no one else has to live inside it. BFinding somewhere — or someone — worth protecting. A reason to keep moving. CAnswers. Understanding what I am, what any of this means, before time runs out. DLegacy — shaping the future in a way that outlasts me by generations. EFreedom — for myself, for others, for every world still living under someone else's boot. REVEAL MY WORLD → Your Fate Has Been Calculated You'd Survive In…Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for. The MatrixYou took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You're a systems thinker who can't help but notice the seams in things. You're drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it. You'd find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines' worst nightmare. You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it. The Matrix built an airtight prison. You'd be the one probing the walls for the door. Mad MaxThe wasteland doesn't reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That's you. You don't need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon. You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you're good at all three. You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider. In the wasteland, that distinction is everything. Blade RunnerYou'd survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely. You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer. In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional. You're not a hero. But you're not lost, either. In Blade Runner's world, that distinction is everything. DuneArrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards. Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they're survival tools. You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory. Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You'd learn its logic and earn its respect. In time, you wouldn't just survive Arrakis — you'd begin to reshape it. Star WarsThe galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn't have it any other way. You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion. You'd gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire's grip can be broken. You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn't something you're capable of. In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference. ↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ