15 Best Netflix Original Series of All Time, Ranked According to IMDb

Since 2013, Netflix has churned out a whopping amount of original content. They deliver quality as well as quantity: in 2021 alone, Netflix’s original programming won 44 Emmy Awards; more than any other production company. Netflix has had its fair share of duds, of course. (See Real Rob and Emily in Paris). But a handful of its shows, like BoJack Horseman and Black Mirror, have rightly earned their place in the pantheon of great TV.

Netflix’s deep pockets mean they have been able to produce several large-scale shows starring big names that can more than compete with anything made by HBO or AMC. Netflix’s most acclaimed shows span a range of genres, from sci-fi and comedy to historical drama and crime – IMDb users have made it easy to determine the top 10 Netflix series of all time.

15 ‘After Life’ (2019 – 2022)

IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

After Life is a remarkable comedy series that will break viewers’ hearts before they know what hit them. Created by and starring Ricky Gervais in one of his best roles as Tony Johnson, the series focuses on the protagonist’s journey through grief after the death of his beloved wife. To cope with his pain, Tony ignores societal norms and decides to be as brutally honest as possible to everyone and anyone, even if it hurts them. Over time, however, Tony’s attitude and approach to grief slowly changes.

The series manages to use dark humor to delve into heavy topics with a light touch, with Ricky Gervais’ impeccable writing and tour-de-force performance making the show worth watching. Viewers can expect to both laugh and cry as they watch Tony’s winding journey to healing. After Life is a profound exploration of grief and the human experience, oscillating between comedy and heartbreak to deliver a truly unique viewing experience.

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14 ‘Love, Death & Robots’ (2019 – )

IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

Now rightly considered among the best anthology series ever made, Love, Death & Robots depicts numerous incredible stories that weave sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and more. Created by Tim Miller, the Netflix original series delivers bite-sized tales that explore the darker aspects of humanity. From dystopian worlds where robots examine the remnants of society to utopias ruled by sentient yogurt, the series covers a wide array of fascinating stories.

Of course, the scene-stealer in the Netflix show is often the novel animation techniques and mesmerizing visual styles displayed with delicious variety across its episodes. Every episode is different, with different animation studios and artists getting a chance to show off their talents. Everyone has their own favorites, with Love, Death & Robots‘ best episodes – from “Bad Travelling” to “Beyond the Aquila Rift” – earning their place in TV history.

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13 ‘The Last Kingdom’ (2015 – 2022)

IMDb Rating: 8.5/10

Thrusting audiences into the tumultuous world of 9th-century England, The Last Kingdom is centered on the riveting story of a Saxon nobleman who’s captured and raised by Vikings, Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon). When he grows up, he wishes to seek revenge for his father figure’s untimely death, but finds himself in a strange position where he has to make a tough choice. His narrative is set against the historical events, political intrigue, and clashing and shifting of alliances in the Viking Age.

A stunning picture of medieval life – complete with brutal battles and drama within the royal courts – The Last Kingdom depicts a vibrant and engaging portrait of the historical period embellished with drama and well-choreographed violence. The British historical fiction series became so popular and had such a dedicated fanbase that following its ending, a feature-length sequel that extended its storyline soon followed on Netflix.

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12 ‘Ozark’ (2017 – 2022)

IMDb Rating: 8.5/10

Ozark thrusts viewers into a world full of crime and deceit, in the midst of which are the Byrdes, a dysfunctional family that moves away from their comfortable urban home to launder money for a drug cartel. Led by the unassuming but brilliant Marty Byrde (masterfully played by Jason Bateman), the family is forced to stay one step ahead to ensure their own survival. In the process of evading the dangerous criminals that begin to surround them, the Byrdes start to change and their transformative character arcs become the true stars of the series.

With its shocking twists to go alongside this impressive character development, Ozark goes to some truly dark places. It blurs the line between right and wrong as it becomes painfully obvious that the Byrdes are not the victim in all of this. The morally ambiguous journey is something fans of the crime and drama genres should experience at least once.

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11 ‘Heartstopper’ (2022 – )

IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

Heartstopper rightly premiered to critical acclaim and quickly became one of the most popular Netflix original series when it was first released. Based on Alice Oseman‘s eponymous webcomic and graphic novel, the coming-of-age romcom follows Charlie Spring (Joe Locke), a schoolboy who falls for his classmate Nick Nelson (Kit Connor).

From its heartwarming story and well-written characters to its gorgeous comics-inspired visuals and effortlessly sweet twists, there’s more than one reason to love Heartstopper. The series has expanded since then to include other likable characters like Tao Xu (William Gao) and Darcy Olsson (Kizzy Edgell), with viewers eagerly waiting to see where the teen series will take their stories. Anyone who enjoys lighthearted teen romance series should consider giving this show a shot.

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10 ‘Daredevil’ (2015 – 2018)

IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

Daredevil features one of the most iconic blind characters on television, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a lawyer by day and the titular masked vigilante by night. After being blinded as a kid, the protagonist has developed and learned to use his senses as a kind of superpower, keeping the streets safe at night. In the Netflix series, audiences follow along as he dives deep into the seedy criminal underbelly full of powerful enemies like Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio).

Alongside flawlessly choreographed fight scenes, Daredevil features a well-written narrative centered on Matt’s journey as the vigilante. His pursuit of justice is complicated by his troubling past and struggles that audiences learn more about along the way, not to mention the badass fights he always seems to win. Fans can only hope his story is continued in a satisfying way in the upcoming Daredevil series on Disney+.

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9 ‘House of Cards’ (2013 – 2018)

IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

House of Cards was the first show Netflix produced. It stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright as Frank and Claire Underwood, two amoral politicians seeking ultimate power in Washington, D.C. It’s based on a British TV series from the 1990s, but the Netflix version doubles down on the Machiavellianism. Frank and Claire are mesmerizing to watch as they scheme and take down their rivals from the inside, playing the political game fashionably.

House of Cards has been acclaimed for its gritty take on politics and for its well-drawn characters. As most fans know, however, following allegations of sexual misconduct against Spacey in 2017, Netflix cut ties with the actor. As a result, the final season was made without him, but Wright more than carries the show on her own. Season 6 follows Claire as she assumes the presidency and sets out to destroy her enemies once and for all.

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8 ‘Mindhunter’ (2017 – 2019)

IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

An essential watch for fans of psychological crime thrillers, Mindhunter delves deep into the earliest days of criminal profiling by following two FBI agents, Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany). The duo interviews serial killers behind bars in an effort to understand their motives, experiences, and general psychology, which could inform current open cases. Alongside them is the talented but underestimated psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv), who helps them build necessary resources that future agents can use.

With its intense atmosphere and intriguing concepts, it’s easy to get lost in Mindhunter‘s engrossing world. The tense atmosphere perfectly complements the chilling stories told as the two profilers interview one twisted criminal after another. The highlight of the series is undoubtedly the fictionalized versions of infamous serial killers that the agents interview, which include David Berkowitz (also known as Son of Sam) and Charles Manson.

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7 ‘The Crown’ (2016 – 2023)

IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

The Crown is a historical series about the life of Queen Elizabeth II. The show follows the monarch from her early years on the throne in the 1950s up to the 21st century. Over its four seasons, three actresses have played Queen Elizabeth at different points in her life: Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton. All of them put in excellent performances, each offering a unique interpretation of the Queen.

While it has sometimes been criticized for inaccuracies and for straying into hagiography, The Crown remains a well-crafted drama. The plot becomes surprisingly gripping at times, as the show about the royal family covers political scandals, attempted coups, and terror plots. The cinematography is gorgeous too, and the set designers lovingly create the period settings, especially the manors and palaces. It is an engrossing peak into a remarkable life, and also succeeds as a dramatization of recent UK history.

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6 ‘Dark’ (2017 – 2020)

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

Dark is a German sci-fi series that follows several characters in a small town after two local children goes missing. It begins as a murder mystery, but the plot eventually evolves into a vast, interconnected time-travel story that spans multiple generations. The show explores the perplexing puzzle that reveals its hidden parts when as the four families look for their children. The town itself becomes a mysterious character full of secrets that are inextricably linked with the cases.

On the surface, it bears some similarities to Stranger Things, but it’s ultimately grittier and more violent. A better comparison would be to David Lynch‘s Twin Peaks, what with the Netflix series’ gloomy atmosphere and seriously unsettling moments. Dark is an ambitious show that deserves kudos for its commitment to an outlandish premise that it manages to pull off without alienating viewers. The story gets a little convoluted in Seasons 2 and 3, but the acting, score, and cinematography are solid throughout.

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5 ‘Black Mirror’ (2011 – )

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

One of the long-time top Netflix originals, Black Mirror is a dark anthology series that explores the pitfalls of the digital age. Most of Black Mirror‘s best episodes are set in dystopian near-futures where technology causes problems for humanity. The Twilight Zone was rebooted in 2019, but Black Mirror remains the true heir to that classic show.

In addition to its high-concept premises, Black Mirror also has an impressive range. A few of the best episodes are bleak and violent, while others are comedies, satires, or even love stories. Whether it’s killer robot bees or a social points-based society, the Netflix show has become known for its terrifyingly familiar settings and premises. Some highlights include “Nosedive,” a parable about the dangers of seeking approval on social media starring Bryce Dallas Howard; and “San Junipero,” a romance about two people who meet in a virtual reality space for the elderly.

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4 ‘Stranger Things’ (2016 – 2025)

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

Stranger Things centers on a group of kids in small-town Indiana during the 1980s as they encounter a number of supernatural threats. The series escalates from one intimidating monster to a rip in between two realities. It’s the ultimate 80s nostalgia trip, from the outfits to the music to the slang (and don’t get us started on the haircuts). The show also references the sci-fi that was popular at the time, including the work of Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter, and Stephen King.

Without a doubt, Stranger Things is Netflix’s flagship show. So powerful is the gravitational pull of Stranger Things that it can even propel decades-old songs like Kate Bush‘s “Running Up That Hill” to the top of the charts. (It appears to have had a similar effect on Metallica‘s “Master of Puppets,” which was used in the Season 4 finale). Stranger Things‘ fifth and final season airs next year. With a feature-length finale, it looks set to be the biggest season yet.

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3 ‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014 – 2020)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

BoJack Horseman is an animated comedy-drama for adults that follows the titular Hollywood actor (voiced by Will Arnett), the washed-up former star of a ’90s sitcom who attempts a career comeback. Alison Brie co-stars as BoJack’s ghostwriter Diane, while Aaron Paul voices his friend and roommate Todd, and Amy Sedaris plays his cat agent Princess Carolyn. As BoJack attempts to deal with his loneliness and depression, he doesn’t realize how much he’s damaging those around him.

The show overflows with witty dialogue and endless animal puns, not to mention lots of visual gags. The colorful animation is a great foil to the subject, as the series thoughtfully explores depression, addiction, and trauma – not just through BoJack’s arc, but through its other cast of colorful characters. The protagonist is still the fan-favorite though, as BoJack is one of TV’s greatest self-destructive anti-heroes, up there with Don Draper and Tony Soprano.

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2 ‘Narcos’ (2015 – 2017)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

Narcos is an epic crime saga that portrays the life of drug lord Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura) and the DEA agents who sought to bring him down. It’s also a harrowing look at the carnage wrought by the illicit cocaine trade, particularly the Colombian narcoterrorists. While the first two seasons focus on Escobar’s story, its third season shows the DEA’s attempts at taking down the infamous Cali Cartel, which proves to be complicated and deadly.

Narcos received positive reviews, with critics praising the authenticity of its characters and its complex storylines that go beyond generic cop stories. The show weaves in archival footage and interviews, lending it a realism that a lot of crime dramas lack. It does stray from real events to dramatize some of its scenes, but that doesn’t take away from how riveting it manages to be. Today, Narcos enjoys its spot among the best modern crime series worth watching at least once.

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1 ‘Arcane’ (2021 – )

IMDb Rating: 9.0/10

It’s rare to find a Netflix series with an IMDb rating above 9, but Arcane manages to comfortably sit in the closest spot. The ideal example of a video game adaptation done right, Arcane is a massively popular animated series set in Riot’s League of Legends fictional world. It follows sisters Vi and Jinx, who, despite their deep love for each other, find themselves on opposing sides of the clash for power and resources in the utopian city of Piltover and the seedy underbelly of Zaun.

With its stunning visuals, tear-jerking story, and characters that are impossible not to root for, anyone who has seen the show understands exactly why it deserves so much praise (and why it’s the best Netflix series of all time). It’s particularly beloved for the way it opens up League of Legends‘ sprawling universe in an approachable way, as even those who have never even heard of the game can enjoy the Netflix series. With Arcane‘s second season set to premiere in November, it’s the ideal time to dive into its enthralling world.

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