30 best Netflix series to watch right now
WHO doesn't love a good binge from time to time? And no we're not talking about food.
Indeed, if lockdown taught us anything it was that there is a wealth of superb TV shows available on Netflix that can be watched as quickly or as slowly as you want.
To unlock content that's only available outside your region, take a look at our pick of the best VPNs for Netflix.
Comedy
1. Schitt's Creek
If you want to watch a TV show that's bound to make you feel happy and warm, then look no further than Schitt's Creek.
The Emmy-winning Canadian series follows a wealthy family who loses everything and is forced to move to a tiny, backwoods town where they own a rundown motel.
They slowly begin to accept their new lives and even love their new town and its citizens, despite their many, many quirks, and it's that focus on humanity that really makes this one special.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 93%
2. Atypical
A coming of age story that follows 18-year-old Sam (Keir Gilchrist), who is on the autistic spectrum, as he searches for love and independence.
The funny and emotional journey of self-discovery sees Sam's family struggle with questions of what it means to be 'normal' in the 21st century.
Atypical came to an end with its third season back in 2019.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 95%
3. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Brooklyn Nine-Nine follows the lives of a group of detectives in a New York precinct.
Among the bunch is renowned slacker Jake (Andy Samberg) who wants to make the new boss' life as hard as possible.
However, an unexpected friendship blossoms between Captain Holt and the rest of the gang follows suit.
With its blend of slapstick comedy and witty one-liners, this is the perfect feel good watch.
With seven seasons out now, there's plenty to sink your teeth into.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 93%
4. Kim's Convenience
The Korean Wave keeps coming with this series.
It follows a Korean-Canadian family who own a convenience store in Toronto.
The family consists of two siblings and their parents who are trying to navigate their way through life.
There are five seasons of Kim's Convenience out now.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 90%
5. Never Have I Ever
Devi is a regular 16 year old girl who's trying to live her life but a few obstacles hold her back.
After her father passes away and she becomes paralysed from the waist down she thinks her life is over.
Her Indian immigrant mum who treads the line between modern and traditional is trying her best to raise her with the same values she was raised with.
Throw in an unreadable crush, an arch nemesis and fracturing friendships and you have a relatable sitcom.
Produced by Mindy Kaling.
Season 2 is currently in production and is expected to drop later in 2021.
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating: 97%.
6. The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory follows five characters living in Pasadena, California: Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), both physicists at Caltech, who share an apartment.
There's also Penny (Kaley Cuoco), a waitress and aspiring actress who lives across the hall as well as Leonard and Sheldon's similarly geeky and socially awkward friends and co-workers, aerospace engineer Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg) and astrophysicist Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar).
With 12 seasons, there's plenty of laughs to be had.
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating: 82%
7. Seinfeld
Created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the NBC sitcom ran for nine seasons, from 1989 to 1998.
It stars Jerry Seinfeld as a fictionalised version of himself and focuses on his personal life with three of his friends: best friend George Costanza (Jason Alexander), former girlfriend Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and his neighbour from across the hall, Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards).
It has been described as "a show about nothing", often focusing on the minutiae of daily life, but that doesn't mean it's not an absolute riot.
It is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential sitcoms of all time, so if you haven't seen it, now's the time.
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating: 92%
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
8. Stranger Things
Acclaimed series Stranger Things is seen as a love letter to 80’s sci-fi. Set in 1983, Indiana, a young boy vanishes into thin air under seriously dark circumstances.
Family, friends and the local police begin searching for answers, however they stumble upon a mysterious young girl in a top-secret government facility.
Starring Millie Bobby Brown, the series is suitable for tweens upwards and fuses horror elements with classic coming-of-age relationships.
The show now has three full series under its belt, with a fourth expected to drop later this year.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 91%
9. The Umbrella Academy
Based on the comic book series of the same name, The Umbrella Academy tracks forty-three infants who are born to an array of women who showed no symptoms of pregnancy until the day before they were due to give birth.
Seven of them are adopted by a billionaire industrialist, Reginald Hargreeves, who creates The Umbrella Academy.
He uses the children in his plans to save the world, but only ends up leaving the family fractured. The family disband and only reunite upon Hargreaves passing away, discovering his darkest secrets.
Expect time travel, large-scale battles and witty one-liners aplenty.
Starring Robert Sheehan and Elliot Page.
The Umbrella Academy's third season is expected to drop later this year.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 86%
10. Snowpiercer
Snowpiercer is a post-apocalyptic dystopian thriller series based on both the 2013 South Korean-Czech film of the same name and the 1982 French graphic novel Le Transperceneige, from which the film was adapted.
The show consists of ten episodes and stars Jennifer Connelly, Daveed Diggs and Sean Bean.
The plot follows the passengers of the Snowpiercer, a gigantic, perpetually moving train that circles the globe carrying the remnants of humanity seven years after the world becomes a frozen wasteland.
The series questions class warfare, social injustice, and the politics of survival.
Season 2 kicks off in January 2021, with season 3 set to follow next year.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 94%
11. The Witcher
Fantasy fans looking to fill the void of Game of Thrones can be sure to love this one.
A mutated monster hunter struggles to find his place in the world where it becomes increasingly difficult to decipher who is more wicked: human beings or beasts?
Expect gory battle sequences against all menner of mystical creatures and magic aplenty.
Starring Henry Cavill as the hunky Geralt of Rivia, The Witcher brings plenty of eye candy too.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 92%
12. Squid Game
This 2021 series had everyone talking due to its graphic death scenes and terrifying premise.
Squid Game is a South Korean survival drama which revolves around a contest where 456 players, all of whom are in deep financial hardship, risk their lives to play a series of deadly children's games for the chance to win the equivalent of £29 million.
The various ways the characters die and fight to stay alive will at times leave you watching through your fingers, but if that's the kick you like to get out of your TV shows, this is right up your street.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 83%
13. The Sandman
This fantasy-drama is based on the 1989–1996 comic book written by Neil Gaiman and published by DC Comics.
It tells the story of Dream/Morpheus, the titular Sandman and stars Tom Sturridge in the lead role.
Morpheus, the personification of dreams and one of the seven Endless, is captured in an occult ritual in 1916.
After being held captive for 106 years, Dream escapes and sets out to restore order to his realm, the Dreaming.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 80%
Drama
14. When They See Us
This four-part series starring Asante Blackk and Jharrel Jerome is based on the events of the April 19, 1989, Central Park jogger case and explores the lives of the five suspects who were falsely prosecuted on charges related to the sexual assault of a female victim, and of their families.
In June 2019, Netflix announced that the miniseries had been streamed by over 23 million viewers within its first month of release and the show went on to win several awards, so it really is a must see.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 96%
15. Anne with an E
A reimagining of the classic book and film, Anne with an E tells the story of Anne Shirley, a strong-willed orphan who moved to Prince Edward Island in 1890.
Soon-to-be Stranger Things star Amybeth McNulty stars as 13-year-old Anne, who has endured a horrifically abusive childhood in the homes of strangers.
Anne is sent to live with her ageing siblings, Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, where she attends school and makes friends for the first time.
Finding her place in the world and seeking love and acceptance, Anne has to figure out how to stand on her own two feet without challenging the world around her too much.
Nonetheless, the unique Anne changes the lives of Marilla, Matthew and everyone else in their town.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 90%
16. Sex Education
Filled with laughs and socially awkward teens, this coming-of-age drama offers something different.
Following the life of Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) and his sex therapist mum (Gillian Anderson), expect cringes and giggles in equal measure. Due to his mother's teachings, plus the endless manuals and books he’s been exposed to, he uses his specialist knowledge to elevate his social status in school.
Together with his friends, they set up an underground sex therapy clinic to help fellow students deal with their problems and ordeals.
There are three full series of Sex Education out now, with a fourth expected to arrive next year.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 94%
17. The Crown
Looking at the British monarchy and the government, The Crown follows the two famous addresses - Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street.
The scandals, their love lives and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century make up the historic drama. Two houses, one court, one crown.
There are four full seasons of The Crown available to stream now, with a fifth in the works.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 90%
18. Top Boy
Modern day gang members who are looking to get rich quick selling drugs rarely come without their own baggage and Top Boy is no different.
Far from the likes of Power, Top Boy offers insight into the British gang scene and the trials and tribulations of these young men.
Ashley Walters gives a compelling performance as Dushane, so fans of Bulletproof should definitely give this thriller a chance.
Production on Netflix's second season kicked off last year, with a release expected in later 2021.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 94%
19. Ozark
A family moves into an Ozarks resort community and faces struggles due to the new place filled with dirty money.
Jason Bateman plays a financial adviser who must appease a drug boss by laundering money, with his wife Wendy (Laura Linney) being dragged into the criminal dealing too.
The series consists of four gripping seasons with plenty of bloodshed and double crossing.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 91%
20. Bridgerton
This historical romance is based on the Julia Quinn books of the same name.
It revolves around the eponymous Bridgerton family and is set in the competitive world of Regency era London's ton during the social season, where marriageable age children of nobility and gentry are launched into society.
Season one focuses on Daphne Bridgerton and her faux romance with the Duke of Hastings (Rege-Jean Page) which soon turns into real love - and lots of sex.
The second season follows Daphne's brother Anthony and his quest for love, and sees him meet Kate, who he clashes with initially before Cupid plays its part.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 76%
21. Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad is a neo-Western crime drama starring Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul.
It follows Bryan's character Walter White, an underpaid, overqualified, and dispirited high-school chemistry teacher who is struggling with a recent diagnosis of stage-three lung cancer.
Walter turns to a life of crime, partnering with his former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron), by producing and distributing crystal meth to secure his family's financial future before he dies, while navigating the dangers of the criminal underworld.
With five seasons, it's one of the most acclaimed shows ever made.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 97%
22. Better Call Saul
If you loved Breaking Bad, you will love the prequel series, Better Call Saul.
The series follows the transformation of Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk), a former con artist who is trying to become a respectable lawyer, into the personality of the flamboyant criminal lawyer Saul Goodman.
Set in the six years leading up to the start of Breaking Bad, fans of the series have six seasons to enjoy, which include some exciting cameos.
23. Mindhunter
This psychological crime series is set in the late 1970s, and follows two FBI agents tasked with interviewing serial killers to solve open cases.
The first season takes place from 1977 to 1980, in the early days of criminal psychology and criminal profiling at the FBI
The second season takes place in 1980 and 1981, with the agents investigating the Atlanta murders of 1979 to 1981, which included at least 28 deaths, mostly children.
24.Glow
This comedy-drama series revolves around a fictionalization of the characters and gimmicks of the 1980s syndicated women's professional wrestling circuit Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (or GLOW) founded by David McLane.
The cast includes Alison Brie, Kate Nash and Betty Gilpin and there's three seasons to enjoy.
25. Cobra Kai
Who would have thought a TV series sequel to The Karate Kid films would be such a hit?
But Cobra Kai has most definitely been a hit since it first aired in 2018 before being picked up by Netflix from series three.
The series sees Ralph Macchio and William Zabka reprise their roles as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence from the 1984 film The Karate Kid and its sequels
Reality Shows
26. Queer Eye
Follow these five members of the LGBTQ+ community in their quest to uplift and help people get their lives back on track.
Heartwarmingly they all have a certain role to play.
Tan France focuses on changing the way they dress and making them comfortable in their new wardrobe. Antoni Porowski focuses on relationships with food and creating healthy meals. Karamo Brown serves as an in-house therapist and life coach. Bobby Berk works on the participants home interior. Jonathan Van-Ness works on hair and grooming.
It's more than just a makeover programme, it's a lifestyle change.
With five seasons available to stream, there are plenty of episodes to sink your teeth into.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 90%
27. RuPaul's Drag Race
Drag queens various parts of the world compete every week for a chance at being the America's next drag superstar and $100,00.
They have a different challenge every week like acting, composing music and they’re also judged on their runway.
From the makeup, wigs, outfits following a different theme every week, they're judged on all of them.
The bottom two have to lip sync for their lives, whoever loses goes home.
If you're a fan of the US version there's also Drag Race UK, as well as several All Star seasons.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 85%
Docu-series
28. Tiger King
Big cat breeding is illegal in many countries, but unfortunately this doesn't stop private zoo owners in the United States.
Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin at the centre of this mind-blowing seven-part documentary.
The bizarre true crime series is messy and captivating, with twists and turns of deadly proportions.
Warring animal rights factions, professional sabotage and even assassination attempts all feature in this unprecedented show.
There's also a cast reunion special delving into some of the documentary's most shocking moments.
Note - this is a difficult watch with scenes of animal abuse, so isn't for the faint of heart.
Tiger King celebrated its one-year anniversary with a musical special on TikTok.
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating: 93%
29. The Last Dance
The story of Michael Jordan and the quest the Chicago Bulls had to face in autumn of 1997.
Their journey to win a sixth NBA title in eight years is documented.
Jordan made his debut 13 years earlier and the journey was dubbed 'The Last Dance’, by coach Phil Jackson.
The tension, the hardships and the challenges faced by Jordan and his extraordinary teammates is shown in full flight.
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating: 95%
30. The Devil Next Door
An elderly man in Cleveland is bought to trial in Israel after being accused of being an infamous Nazi death camp leader.
The grandfather is accused of being the guard known as Ivan the Terrible.
The docu-series follows his trial as brave death camp survivors take the stand against John Demjanjuk.
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating: 86%