Let’s imagine you want nothing more than to spend the day sitting somewhere between sitting up and laying down while watching the best Netflix TV shows the streamer has to offer for hours on end. But sometimes finding the best TV shows to binge watch is easier said than done and end up wasting half the day arguing with yourself and the platform’s labyrinthian library of shows and genres.
Well, my friend, you’ve come to the right place as we have put together a list of the best shows Netflix has to offer, some of which are even going to be popping up on the 2023 Netflix TV schedule. And even though this list is admittedly a lot to take in, where else are you going to find the best sci-fi, musical comedies, and racy period dramas the streaming world has to offer?
One Piece (2023)
Are you ready to be King of the Pirates? One Piece is the long-awaited adaptation of the legendary manga, One Piece. The show follows Monkey D. Luffy as he assembles a crew in order for him to sail the sea and find the legendary One Piece, a treasure unlike anything else left by one of the greatest pirates of all time. In doing so, he would become King of the Pirates. The series was the adaptation fans wanted and more, and now, Season 2 has been confirmed.
Stranger Things (2016 - Present)
Stranger Things, or the Duffer brothers love letter to all things ‘80s, has all the makings of a show you can lose yourself to if you’re not careful. With four seasons to enjoy, filled with sci-fi horror, a large ensemble cast featuring some of the best actors, and a gripping story about a group of friends trying to avert disaster in their small Indiana town, there’s a lot to enjoy here. Season 5 is slowly coming along, but hopefully soon with the Writer’s Strike resolved, we’re only waiting on SAG-AFTRA to get the deal they need to continue filming this show.
Stream Stranger Things on Netflix.
Breaking Bad (2008 - 2013)
There are few shows that changed the trajectory of a lead actor more so than what Breaking Bad did for series lead, Bryan Cranston. Over the course of the show’s five seasons, Cranston’s Walter White transforms himself from an unassuming high school chemistry teacher to a notorious drug lord known simply as “Heisenberg.” Watch out, because this show will suck you in and won’t let you out until hours later. The show will be coming off of Netflix in 2025, so you better get your binges in now.
Stream Breaking Bad on Netflix. Also try: Better Call Saul
Ozark (2017 - 2022)
If you’re looking for a series that will truly blow your mind from the first episode, check out Ozark. This series tells the tale of a financial advisor who has to move from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks when he gets caught up in the drug business, and is forced to launder money so his family doesn’t get hurt. With fantastic performances from Jason Bateman and the fabulous Julia Garner, Ozark is a thrilling adventure.
The Great British Baking Show (2010 - Present)
But what if you want to lose yourself to the charming and sometimes hectic cooking competition show that is The Great British Baking Show? Well, Netflix is there with eight seasons of decadent desserts, colorful personalities, and a level of watchability that goes unmatched in the genre. Just make sure you have some snacks on hand or are prepared to cook more.
Stream The Great British Baking Show on Netflix.
Queer Eye (2018 - Present)
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your life turned around by five fabulous gay men? That’s what Queer Eye answers. A reboot of the series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, this Netflix original follows a new Fab Five as they help new people every episode in ways that will change their lives, whether it be changing how they eat, their style, or just how they interact with the world around them. The show is sweet, stylish and will most likely make you cry as it has for me. Please check it out if you haven’t. There are seven seasons to watch, so be ready to feel fabulous for a long time.
Wednesday (2022)
They're creepy and they're kooky – well, at least Wednesday certainly is. In this Netflix original show, Wednesday tells the story of Wednesday Addams, the eldest child in the Addams family and her time at Nevermore, a school for outcasts, as she tries to solve a monster case that has been plaguing the town of Jericho.
Wednesday has become one of the biggest shows on Netflix, even surpassing the records that Stranger Things once had for the most hours streamed in one week. And honestly, it's for good reason. Jenna Ortega is fantastic in the lead role, and the rest of the Wednesday cast is full of stars. Now we only need to wait for a Season 2 to come - and hopefully have some changes to the character as a whole thanks to Jenna Ortega. There's even cute clothes to wear from the show.
Virgin River (2019 - Present)
Oh, you want romance? You’re getting romance. In Virgin River, a midwife/nurse practitioner decides to work in a small Northern California town called Virgin River, but while she’s there trying to start a new life, she discovers that there’s more to small-town living than she ever thought, and meets people who truly change her life forever. With five seasons to watch, the drama is truly endless.
Stream Virgin River on Netflix.
Suits (2011 - 2019)
Suits has been having a hell of a time on Netflix the last few months – so much so that it’s getting a new show after streaming popularity. Suits, starring Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams, is a legal drama that takes place in New York City, and mainly follows Mike, a man who has a photographic memory who is able to use it to get a job at a law firm, despite never completing law school. With nine seasons, there’s plenty to watch.
Quarterback (2023)
If you’re at all interested in what goes on behind the scenes for some of the biggest quarterbacks in the country, then Quarterback is the perfect series to watch. This show follows the lives of Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota during the 2022 NFL season, and gives a more intimate look into their personal lives.
Stream Quarterback on Netflix.
You (2018 - Present)
Ever wonder what it’s like if someone is obsessively in love with you? That’s just part of what You is about. This popular series has run for four seasons, following the life of Joe Goldberg, a seemingly normal man with a hankering for love…and the willingness to kill those that get in his way of that love. The fourth season just finished airing, and Season 5 is confirmed, and we have plenty of questions about Joe Goldberg and his life.
The Night Agent (2023 - Present)
This Netflix sensation took the world by storm. The Night Agent follows Peter Sutherland (played by Gabriel Basso), an FBI agent who suddenly finds himself in the middle of a huge conspiracy theory regarding a mole with the U.S. government. Now, he not only needs to find a way to save the country, but an ex-CEO who is being hunted down as well after her family was killed.
The show has broken records since it premiered on Netflix, so might as well give it a shot and check it out.
Stream The Night Agent on Netflix.
Ugly Betty (2006 - 2010)
If you’re looking for a great show with Latina representation, then Ugly Betty is an excellent one. This series, starring America Ferrera, is all about a young woman who somehow lands a gig at a fashion magazine company despite not having any sense of fashion whatsoever – sort of like The Devil Wears Prada, but a heck of a lot funnier. Seriously, it’s such a good show.
Gilmore Girls (2000 - 2007)
You know as well as I that when the leaves begin to turn colors, that’s when every girl in the United States collectively decides to watch Gilmore Girls again. This series is the ultimate mother-daughter tale, following Lorelei and Rory Gilmore as they both grow with age in their small Northeast town. The plot of this changes so frequently that I would just suggest watching it if you want the ultimate comfort show – and feel like calling your mom right after.
Stream Gilmore Girls on Netflix.
Community (2009 - 2015)
For six seasons, Community was one of the funniest and most unique comedies on television and the cult favorite ended up helping to launch the careers of everyone from Alison Brie to Donald Glover and Gillian Jacobs to even the Russo brothers in a way. There is a certain quality and charm to the show about the students and faculty at Greendale Community College that makes them feel like family to the viewer, family you don’t mind spending hours with on the couch. And now, we're going to be getting that Community movie we've been craving.
Grey’s Anatomy (2005 - Present)
Grey’s Anatomy is the longest-running show on this list with a total of nineteen seasons. Originally, the premise of Grey’s Anatomy was all about Meredith Grey, a first-year intern working at Seattle Grace Hospital, and the people she met there during her professional life that changed her, but as time has gone on, there have been so many other major storylines that have happened that it would be a festival to catch up on this series. But if you’re up for the challenge, it’s certainly one to remember.
Stream Grey’s Anatomy on Netflix.
The Good Place (2016 - 2020)
Although it only stuck around for four seasons, The Good Place, the NBC comedy about a recently deceased woman who is surprised to discover she made it to the show’s version of heaven, was one of the best shows of its time. With a cast anchored by Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, Jameela Jamil, D’Arcy Carden, and William Jackson Harper, The Good Place is perfect for a quick pick-me-up over the weekend.
Stream The Good Place on Netflix.
Outlander (2014 - Present)
The first five seasons of Outlander, the romantic fantasy epic about a British Army nurse who finds herself trapped in 18th Century Scotland, can be streamed on Netflix. With something for just about everyone — intense romance, a ton of action, fantasy elements, historical events — it’s no surprise the Starz original remains one of the most popular and talked about shows on television.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015 - 2019)
If you’re wanting a hilarious romantic comedy musical series, then Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is the one to watch. This show, starring Rachel Bloom, is mainly about a young lawyer who moves all the way to New York City in order to follow her high school summer camp boyfriend, but in doing so, it turns her life upside down in hilarious fashion.
Stream Crazy Ex-Girlfriend on Netflix.
Never Have I Ever (2020 - 2023)
If you’re looking for a sweet teen dramedy to watch, check out Never Have I Ever. This series, starring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, tells the story of Devi, a teenager who is just trying to find her place in the world and become popular at school. But like with any teen dramedy, she runs into her own personal and relationship problems, including those with her Indian-American family. With four complete seasons, this is the perfect binge for a week to laugh and have fun.
Stream Never Have I Ever on Netflix.
Narcos (2015 - 2017)
Narcos is a crime series that focuses on the story of Pablo Escobar and his rise to fame when he became the leader of the Medellin Cartel and started to distribute cocaine throughout all of Mexico and later on, North America in general. It also stars Pedro Pascal in one of his best roles as Javier Peña, one of the DEA agents assigned in bringing down Escobar.
Bridgerton (2020 - Present)
With two seasons to watch (and a third currently in the works),the Netflix original series Bridgerton has all the makings of a binge-worthy show. With an outstanding and diverse cast, an engaging story about families in England’s Regency era seeking love, fortune, and power, and a clever way of incorporating modern music and culture in a long ago period, the show is a fascinating addition to the Netflix library. Bridgerton Season 3 is on the way.
If you also want to check out more of the Bridgerton universe, check out Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story which came out on May 4th. A great way to learn about everyone's favorite queen.
Jane The Virgin (2014 - 2019)
Jane the Virgin is the best romantic comedy show you could check out. Starring Gina Rodriguez, the series is a satirical telenovela dramedy that follows a young woman who is accidentally inseminated when she goes to visit her gynecologist, and from there, her life is turned upside down completely. Not only is the show fun, but the Jane the Virgin cast is incredibly talented.
Stream Jane the Virgin on Netflix.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005 - 2008)
Remember back in 2020 when we were all at home and doing nothing for ages? That’s when Avatar: The Last Airbender dropped on Netflix and exploded back into the mainstream. In a world that has four different nations separated by elemental powers, the Fire Nation is looking to take over everything, but one person, known as the Avatar, master of all four elements, is the only one who can stop them. The only problem is that he’s a 112-year-old novice who has been frozen in an iceberg for a century.
Truly, Avatar: The Last Airbender is a gem of a show, and if you’ve never seen it, you need to. With a new live-action show in the works at Netflix, and several casting announcements already out, now is the perfect time to watch the original.
Stream Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix.
Also, check out The Legend of Korra on Netflix.
Heartstopper (2022 - Present)
I dare you not to cry your eyes out while watching this series. Heartstopper, based on the graphic novel series of the same name, follows the story of Charlie, a young man who falls in love with his classmate, and how he struggles to be fully himself, while also looking at the life of his friends and his family. With two seasons, this show is such a gem – and yes, there’s already a Heartstopper Season 3 on the way.
Stream Heartstopper on Netflix.
The Witcher (2019 - Present)
Journey through dangerous realms and magical places alongside Geralt of Rivia, a being known as a Witcher, whose job is to slay monsters and humans alike for coin. Played by Henry Cavill, The Witcher is a fantastic fantasy show with plenty of surprises, twists, and moments that will make you wish you were a controller of chaos magic. Three seasons are available to watch, and this will be the last time anyone sees Cavill as Geralt because he will be replaced by Liam Hemsworth in Season 4.
Stream The Witcher on Netflix.
Supernatural (2005 - 2020)
If you’re looking for some spooky demons, monsters, angels, and everything in between, check out Supernatural. Following the story of the Winchester brothers, Sam and Dean, they hunt down monsters of all kinds in order to protect humanity - while being simultaneously charming and hilarious. The Supernatural cast has loads of charisma and talent and the show has a very dedicated fanbase. It lasted for 15 seasons, which shows just how popular it truly was.
Stream Supernatural on Netflix.
Lucifer (2016 - 2021)
Lucifer is the mystery and fantasy series that you’re looking for. Based on the character from DC comics, this series follows Lucifer as he abandons hell in order to open a night club in Los Angeles, but in doing so, he somehow gets tangled up in becoming a consultant for the police force of the city, where he meets Detective Chloe Decker. Trust me – you will be charmed by Tom Ellis as Lucifer. You are not immune like Chloe.
The Walking Dead (2011 - 2022)
Looking for one of the most iconic horror shows of all time? Check out The Walking Dead. Running for eleven seasons, this popular drama shows that sometimes, zombies are the last thing the humans in an apocalypse need to worry about. With compelling characters such as Negan or Rick Grimes to root for, and some truly gnarly zombie action, The Walking Dead is the perfect show to binge for the horror enthusiast.
All eleven seasons are on the platform, concluding with its emotional finale. I'm sure that as the new spinoffs come out, we're only going to get more The Walking Dead content to add onto this list.
Stream The Walking Dead on Netflix.
The Crown (2016 - Present)
The Crown is one of those shows that almost has to be binged to get the full experience. With so many characters coming in and out of Buckingham Palace (and 10 Downing Street) over the course of each of the show’s five seasons, there’s a lot to keep track of, but it pays off handsomely. From the final days of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II taking over the throne up to the late 1980s, Peter Morgan’s tireless efforts to unfold the drama of the royal family make for one of the most engaging and enchanting shows of the modern era. And now, The Crown Season 6 is coming soon in November 2023.
Russian Doll (2019 - Present)
If you’re a fan of Natasha Lyonne and want to check out more of her work, be sure to watch Russian Doll. This series follows Nadia, a young woman who, in Season 1, gets stuck in a time loop of her own death and has to figure out how to stop it, and in Season 2, is sent back in time. This is a show where I really don’t want to spoil many details – you just need to watch it for yourself. And, Natasha Lyonne is always a win.
Stream Russian Doll on Netflix.
The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
There are few limited series that grabbed a hold of the Netflix subscriber base more than The Queen’s Gambit in late 2020. Seriously, the story of a young chess prodigy with all sorts of demons and personal struggles to overcome told over seven episodes is a masterpiece in television drama. From the early days of Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) learning to play chess in an orphanage’s basement to the show’s fulfilling ending, The Queen’s Gambit is damn near perfect from top to bottom.
Stream The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix.
The Sandman (2022 - Present)
If you want another amazing fantasy show, check out The Sandman. In this recent series from Netflix, we follow Morpheus, a personification of dreams who was locked away for 106 years after an occult ritual. He is finally freed, and takes it upon himself to restore his place in his world called The Dreaming. With eleven episodes to watch, it’s a fun fantasy time for sure. And now, it's finally getting a Season 2.
Stream The Sandman on Netflix.
Love On The Spectrum U.S. (2022)
While there are plenty of dating shows on Netflix, such as the famous Love is Blind or even the 2022 addition, Dated & Related, my personal favorite as of right now is Love on the Spectrum, U.S., a spinoff of the original show that hails from Australia. In this show, we follow several different couples who are all on the autism spectrum and their search for love, and it is just lovely. It’s one of the best dating shows on Netflix.
Stream Love on the Spectrum U.S. on Netflix.
Also, check out the Australian Love on the Spectrum on Netflix too.
All Of Us Are Dead (2022)
While The Walking Dead is a great long-time horror show, All Of Us Are Dead is the perfect example of a zombie series that jumps straight into the terror of what a zombie apocalypse would be like. This South Korean series follows a group of teenagers trying to survive in a high school that ends up being Ground Zero for a zombie epidemic. Truly, this is one of the best zombie shows out there. You have to watch it.
Stream All Of Us Are Dead on Netflix.
Black Mirror (2011 - Present)
There are few shows as fun or terrifying as the sci-fi anthology series Black Mirror. Over the course of the six available seasons on Netflix, you can watch characters face a reality in which the advancement and technology and the ease it brings to their lives can also be their downfall. Plus, some of today’s biggest stars of film and television got their big break here, like Daniel Kaluuya.
Stream Black Mirror on Netflix.