Netflix has produced an incredible amount of original content since 2013. Netflix is known for producing high-quality content, as evidenced by the 44 Emmy Awards its original programming won in 2021—more than any other production company.
Here are the top five Netflix original series ever, ranked by IMDb:
1. Arcane
Netflix shows with an IMDb rating higher than nine are hard to come by, but Arcane just about makes it. Arcane is an immensely popular animated series that takes place in Riot’s fictional League of Legends universe. It is the perfect example of a video game adaptation done right. It centres on sisters Vi and Jinx, who are caught up in a struggle for resources and power in both the seedy underbelly of Zaun and the utopian city of Piltover.
Anyone who has watched the show can clearly see why it deserves so much praise (and why it’s the greatest Netflix series ever) due to its breathtaking visuals, heartbreaking plot, and lovable characters.
2. Stranger Things
The story of Stranger Things revolves around a group of children in 1980s small-town Indiana who come across several supernatural threats. Everything about it is a trip back to the 1980s, including the music, slang, and, let’s not even talk about the haircuts. The popular science fiction of the era, such as that of John Carpenter, Stephen King, and Steven Spielberg, is also mentioned in the show.
Stranger Things is unquestionably Netflix’s best series. Stranger Things has such a strong magnetic pull that it can even take songs that have been around for decades, like Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” and make them become number one hits. (Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” which was used, seems to be experiencing a similar effect.
3. Heartstopper
With good reason, Heartstopper debuted to critical acclaim and swiftly rose to prominence as one of the most watched Netflix original series. The coming-of-age romantic comedy, which is based on Alice Oseman’s self-titled webcomic and graphic novel, centres on Charlie Spring (Joe Locke), a schoolboy who develops feelings for Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), a classmate.
This show has many reasons to love it, from its endearing plot and well-written characters to its stunning comic book-inspired graphics and deftly subtle twists. Fans of whimsical teen romance shows ought to think about checking this one out.
4. Daredevil
One of the most recognisable blind characters on television is found in Daredevil, played by Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock, a lawyer by day and the show’s eponymous masked vigilante at night. As he delves deeply into the seedy criminal underworld populated by formidable foes like Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), audiences follow along.
In addition to immaculately timed battle sequences, Daredevil has a compelling story that revolves around Matt’s transformation into the vigilante. His difficult past and ongoing struggles complicate his quest for justice, as viewers come to understand more about them. The only thing fans can hope for is a satisfying conclusion to his story in the upcoming Daredevil series on Disney+.
5. Narcos
The life of drug lord Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura) and the DEA agents who tried to bring him down are depicted in the epic crime drama Narcos. It also offers a terrifying glimpse into the devastation caused by the illegal cocaine trade. The programme incorporates interviews and archive material, giving it a level of realism that many other crime dramas don’t have.
Reviews for Narcos were favourable, with reviewers praising the show’s intricate plots that go beyond standard police procedurals and the sincerity of its characters. Rapper Pusha T even gave the show a shout-out. It still holds its place as one of the greatest contemporary crime shows that you should watch at least once.