As a streaming industry powerhouse, Netflix has created a vast variety of original television series that have taken the world by storm. Be it gripping dramas or rib-tickling comedies, the streaming giant churned out quality content time and again, raising the bar in the industry. In this guide to the 10 Best Netflix Original Series of All-Time, I showcase the diversity and depth of the platform’s incredible content output.
1. Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blinders is a gritty and stylish period drama that follows the Shelby family, a powerful criminal gang in post–World War I Birmingham, England. With exceptional performances, beautiful visuals, and thrilling storylines, Peaky Blinders became one of Netflix’s most acclaimed and popular original series, gaining critical praise and worldwide fan appreciation for its immersive world-building and complex character development.
2. Narcos
Narcos is a powerful criminal drama about the intricate and violent world of the drug trade in Colombia. The series explains the rise and fall of the notorious drug kingpin Pablo Escobar and what the DEA and Colombian authorities tried to do to bring him down. By all rights, Narcos has emerged as one of the most lauded and influential original series to air on Netflix with its gritty realism, brilliant performances, and careful attention to historical detail.
3. Money Heist
Money Heist, also known as La Casa de Papel, is an outstandingly dramatic and suspense-filled crime drama narrating the story of thieves who wish to plan and effect a heist at the Royal Mint of Spain. The show has quickly become one of the best and high-grossing ones on Netflix, with elements of social commentary on the diversity of characters, high-stakes action, and unpredictable plot twists.
4. Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a thrilling, nostalgic, globally based science-fiction series in the 1980s. In its early stage, the plot found an adolescent boy mysteriously vanishing into thin air, followed by other supernatural occurrences in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana. With iconic characters, a throwback aesthetic, and gripping storylines, Stranger Things became a true cultural phenomenon and has been considered one of Netflix’s most epic and iconic original series.
5. Black Mirror
Black Mirror is an anthology series that discovers dark and quite haunting inferences of technology in the present world. All of them are stand-alone episodes but stories full of moral and ethical dilemmas, viewed against the backdrop of rapidly advanced technology, and therefore give a cold, thought-provoking take on the human condition. Thanks to its innovative storytelling, excellent cast performance, and stunning visual style, Black Mirror has been a massive hit among Netflix original series, with many considering it a new cultural phenomenon.
6. The Witcher
Based on the beloved fantasy book series, The Witcher has become a global phenomenon, captivating audiences with its immersive world, complex characters, and thrilling action sequences. The series follows the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, a skilled monster hunter, as he navigates the political and supernatural landscapes of the Continent. With its stunning visuals, compelling narrative, and Henry Cavill’s standout performance, The Witcher has cemented its place as one of Netflix’s most successful and beloved original series.
7. The Crown
The Crown is an opulent work of historical fiction that chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II and delves into the private world of the British Royal Family. It has become one of Netflix’s most critically acclaimed series and is also in prime contention in terms of prestige, with awards and nominations arriving due to exceptional scripts and production values.
8. Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai is a nostalgic, thrilling follow-up to the iconic Karate Kid film series in which a fierce rivalry rages between old karate rivals: Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence. The show has enamored veteran and novice audiences with its mixture of action, humor, and heartfelt character development, deeming it one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed Netflix original series.
9. Squid Game
Squid Game is a genre-defying, groundbreakingly popular TV series taking the world by storm. It tracks a group of indebted people who are thrown into survival games involving children, all in a bid to win a prize worth billions. Made with intense social commentaries, action sequences, and characters carving out a space in memory, Squid Game has been one of Netflix’s most extensive hit original series, cementing its place as a global phenomenon.
10. Ozark
Ozark is a riveting crime drama that follows the Byrde family as they navigate the treacherous world of money laundering. With its gritty storytelling, exceptional performances, and stunning cinematography, Ozark has become one of Netflix’s most acclaimed and popular original series. The show’s complex characters and intricate plot twists keep viewers on the edge of their seats, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre and a clear choice for the greatest Netflix Original Series of all time.
