The Best Original Series on Netflix to Stream Now
From thrilling crime dramas to hilarious comedies, there’s a Netflix original series for everyone
Curtis Bonds Baker/Netflix
From left: William Zabka, Ralph Macchio and Yuji Okumoto on 'Cobra Kai'For years, Netflix has consistently delivered some of TV's biggest hits. The streaming platform has created original series spanning every genre and category: heartwarming comedy dramas, thrilling crime mysteries, intense political dramas, historical fiction series and futuristic sci-fi stories, just to name a few.
Some Netflix series are short and sweet, with only one or two seasons. Others span several seasons and call for several hours of viewing time. You can watch established actors or get acquainted with up-and-coming stars, too. Whether you're looking for something to sink your teeth into or a funny show to keep you laughing, there's a series for everyone.
Here's a list of the best original series on Netflix to add to your watch list ASAP.
Cobra Kai
Curtis Bonds Baker/Netflix
From left: Gianni DeCenzo, Jacob Bertrand, Tanner Buchanan and Xolo Maridueña on 'Cobra Kai'Strike first, strike hard, no mercy! Taking place three decades after the original Karate Kid films, Cobra Kai finds the former rivals Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) as senseis of their own dojos, where a new wave of students join their old-age beef. Catch up on all five seasons before the first part of the final season hits Netflix on July 18, with the second part coming on Thanksgiving Day and the grand finale in 2025.
Supacell
Netflix
Josh Tedeku on 'Supacell'From the mind of hip-hop artist Rapman comes a superhero series about five Black South Londoners who randomly acquire extraordinary powers. Though these once-ordinary mortals shared no prior connection, they now have to become a unit to combat those wishing to control them.
That '90s Show
Patrick Wymore/Netflix
Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith on 'That '90s Show'Eric (Topher Grace) and Donna (Laura Prepon) finally got back together in the finale of That '70s Show — and now they have a teenage daughter. The spinoff series follows Leia (Callie Haverda) spending the summer at her grandparents' (Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith) home as she forges her own friend group. The first part of season 2 aired on June 27, with part 2 premiering on Oct. 24.
Watch That '90s Show on Netflix
America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Netflix
Still from Netflix's 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders'Dust off those pom-poms and prepare to root for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders! Helmed by Emmy Award-winning director Greg Whiteley, this seven-part docuseries offers a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary squad's 2023–24 season, from auditions to the final whistle of Dallas' NFL run.
Watch America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders on Netflix
Eric
Ludovic Robert/Netflix
Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Eric'Set in 1980s New York, Eric follows the story of husband Vincent (Benedict Cumberbatch) and wife Cassie (Gaby Hoffmann) as they look for their missing son, Edgar (Ivan Morris Howe). While Cassie grows more concerned, Vincent — a puppeteer for children's television — becomes fixated on bringing to life a monster puppet (the titular Eric) inspired by Edgar's sketches, hoping it serves as a beacon to lure his son back home.
Baby Reindeer
Ed Miller/Netflix
Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning in 'Baby Reindeer'.Based on Richard Gadd's self-referential one-man show of the same name, this drama-thriller miniseries features Gadd in the role of struggling comedian and bartender Donny Dunn. Finding himself caught in the rapidly increasing obsession of Martha Scott (Jessica Gunning) — a regular patron who dubs him "Baby Reindeer" and begins to stalk him — Donny is forced to confront a long-buried trauma.
Watch Baby Reindeer on Netflix
A Man in Full
Courtesy of Netflix
Jeff Daniels in 'A Man in Full'From the visionary mind of David E. Kelley — the producer behind TV hits like Ally McBeal, Big Little Lies, Anatomy of a Scandal and so on — comes this gripping limited drama series starring Jeff Daniels as Charlie Croker: a former college football star–turned–real estate tycoon who has to protect his empire from bankruptcy and other bottom-feeders aiming to profit off of his downfall. Featuring six episodes, A Man in Full also stars Tom Pelphrey, Lucy Liu and Diane Lane.
Watch A Man in Full on Netflix
Bridgerton
Liam Daniel/Netflix
Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton on 'Bridgerton'.Inspired by Julia Quinn's best-selling romance novels, 2020 hit Bridgerton takes place in Regency-era London. The series follows the title family as its members look for love and avoid being the subject of Lady Whistledown's gossip column. The first season focuses on outcast Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) and eligible bachelorette Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), and each subsequent season follows another member of the family. Season 3 centers around Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and her feelings for Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton).
Ripley
Netflix
Andrew Scott on 'Ripley'More than two decades after the release of The Talented Mr. Ripley in 1999, Matt Damon is handing over the reins to Andrew Scott in the newest (and grayscale) rendition of Patricia Highsmith’s best-selling book series. Here, Scott plays the eponymous grifter hired to persuade a wealthy man's wayward son, Dickie Greenleaf (Johnny Flynn), to return home from Italy. But when Tom Ripley finds himself captivated by Dickie's luxurious lifestyle, he goes to great lengths to secure his own spot in it.
3 Body Problem
Ed Miller/Netflix
From left: Liam Cunningham, Jess Hong and Sea Shimooka on '3 Body Problem'Loosely inspired by Liu Cixin's Hugo Award-winning novel The Three-Body Problem, this eight-episode sci-fi series kicks off in 1960s China with a pivotal decision by a young astrophysicist (Zine Tseng), impacting the future. As natural laws begin to break down, a team of scientists and a detective work together in the 21st century to prevent a humanity-destroying threat.
Watch 3 Body Problem on Netflix
The Gentlemen
Christopher Rafael/Netflix
'The Gentlemen'Upon inheriting his father's vast estate, Eddie Horniman (Theo James), the Duke of Halstead, is shocked to uncover that it's built upon a booming weed empire owned by the infamous Mickey Pearson. Adapted from Guy Ritchie's 2019 action comedy of the same name, The Gentlemen also features performances from Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, Shane Walker and more.
Watch The Gentlemen on Netflix
Young Royals
Courtesy of Netflix
Edvin Ryding as Wilhelm on 'Young Royals'When an online scandal forces Prince Wilhelm of Sweden (Edvin Ryding) to attend the prestigious Hillerska boarding school, the last thing the young royal wants is to attract more attention to himself. However, when he falls for scholarship student Simon (Omar Rudberg) amidst prying eyes, he faces a pivotal crossroads: uphold the monarchy's traditions or embrace his most authentic self. Catch up on all three seasons now.
Avatar the Last Airbender
Robert Falconer/Netflix
Kiawentiio, Gordon Cormier and Ian Ousley on 'Avatar: The Last Airbender'In a bid to redeem the beloved comic book series from the critically-panned live-action film adaptation, Netflix is venturing into a fresh reimagining of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Join Aang (Gordon Cormier) and his companions Katara (Kiawentiio) and Sokka (Ian Ousley) as they exercise their respective elemental powers and make ready to confront the cold-blooded leader of the Fire Nation, Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim).
Watch Avatar the Last Airbender on Netflix
One Day
Netflix
Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall on 'One Day'Originally adapted into the 2011 film starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, David Nicholls's worldwide best-selling novel is now getting a new life with a 14-episode British series. After Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall) part ways after their first encounter on the night of their 1988 graduation, the pair find themselves drawn back to each other on the same date every year, unveiling small glimpses of a decades-lasting (and ever-evolving) relationship.
The Vince Staples Show
Courtesy of Netflix
Kareem Grimes and Vince Staples on 'The Vince Staples Show'From the mind of rapper, actor and producer Vince Staples comes a limited comedy series loosely inspired by his life in his hometown of Long Beach, Calif. Straddling the line between thriving rapper and somewhat lawbreaker, the "Norf Norf" singer leads a colorfully exciting life with everyday adventures, ranging from altercations with a Chicken Coop employee to getting bailed out of jail.
Watch The Vince Staples Show on Netflix
Griselda
Courtesy of Netflix
Sofía Vergara on 'Griselda'This six-part miniseries follows the rise and fall of Griselda Blanco, a Colombian drug queenpin who soared to immense wealth amid the Miami drug trade during the '70s and '80s. Sofía Vergara not only produces but also takes on the titular role, echoing the same ruthless ferocity that earned Griselda the moniker "Black Widow."
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
Netflix
'Scott Pilgrim Takes Off'Scott Pilgrim is powering up with a brand new anime series! On Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, the lovable slacker bass player (voiced by Michael Cera) is on a quest to defeat Ramona's (voiced by Mary Elizabeth Winstead) seven evil exes and win her heart. With the entire OG cast from the 2010 live-action film making a return, this animated series serves up a fresh twist on the cult favorite.
Watch Scott Pilgrim Takes Off on Netflix
The Crown
Keith Bernstein/Netflix
Rufus Kampa, Dominic West and Fflyn Edwards in season 6 of 'The Crown'With an impressive cast of some of Britain's best actors, including Claire Foy, Olivia Colman and Matt Smith, The Crown has been capturing our attention since it premiered in 2016; and we were saddened to bid it farewell with its sixth and final season at the end of 2023. The show chronicles the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II from her ascension to modern times, looking at the most dramatic moments of the royal family's public (and private) lives.
One Piece
Casey Crafford/Netflix
The cast of 'One Piece'Sporting a straw hat and fueled by a boundless dream, Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) sets forth as an ambitious pirate, wielding rubber-like abilities and assembling a crew of uniquely gifted comrades — Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu), Nami (Emily Rudd), Usopp (Jacob Romero) and Sanji (Taz Skylar) — to find the coveted "One Piece" treasure, which is the ultimate key to becoming the fabled "King of the Pirates." Adapted from the manga series of the same name, this live-action saga embarks on an extraordinary voyage brimming with formidable foes and unforgiving seas.
Heartstopper
Samuel Dore/Netflix
Joe Locke on 'Heartstopper'As Alice Oseman's signature pastel-colored leaves fall on the screen, so does the heart of the soft-spoken, music-loving Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) — Trunham's only out gay student — who finds himself deeply drawn to Nick Nelson (Kit Connor). Heartstopper delivers an adorably innocent and poignant queer love story, earning its place as a shining gem in Netflix's sweeping roster of romance series. The show’s third season is set to be released on Oct. 3.
Sweet Magnolias
Courtesy of Netflix
JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott and Heather Headley on 'Sweet Magnolias'This sweet series follows a group of three lifelong friends (JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott and Heather Headley) living in small-town Serenity, S.C. The trio's relationships ebb and flow as they juggle friendship, family and careers. Costars include Jamie Lynn Spears, Justin Bruening and Chris Klein.
Watch Sweet Magnolias on Netflix
Never Have I Ever
Lara Solanki/Netflix
Darren Barnet and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan on 'Never Have I Ever'The teenage rom-com hit Never Have I Ever comes from Mindy Kaling and stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Darren Barnet and Poorna Jagannathan. Devi (Ramakrishnan) is a first-generation Indian American teenager who wants to become more popular at school, so she defies the ways her friends and family have held her back. All four seasons are available to stream now.
Watch Never Have I Ever on Netflix
The Witcher
Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) is a magical monster hunter, known as a "witcher," struggling to find his place in the world in this fantasy drama series. Along the way, he solves mysteries and follows adventures leading to his destiny. In 2022, it was announced that Liam Hemsworth will take over as Geralt in season 4 after Cavill's departure. Season 3, featuring Cavill's final episodes as the title role, is now streaming in full.
Beef
In this Emmy Award-winning dramedy series, Ali Wong and Steven Yeun star as two spiteful strangers who meet during a fit of road rage. Unable to let go of their vehicle face-off, the rivals go to drastic lengths to inflict harm on the other and fulfill their hunger for revenge.
Wednesday
Cue the finger snaps! Executive produced by Tim Burton (he directed a handful of episodes, too!), this darkly comedic crime series stars Jenna Ortega as the deadpanned titular character, who falls heir to her mom's psychic powers and uses them to solve a murder at her boarding school. Whether you're a "normie," an "outcast" or a disembodied hand, this supernatural show is worth taking a stab at.
Outer Banks
Starring Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline and Madison Bailey, this teen mystery follows two divergent groups of teens — the privileged "Kooks" and the working-class "Pogues" — who live on the Outer Banks of North Carolina as they try to uncover the mystery of John B's (Stokes) missing father.
Ozark
The final season of this crime drama was released in 2022. Financial planner Marty (Jason Bateman) relocates his family to the Ozarks of central Missouri to escape the consequences of a money laundering scheme gone wrong. Ozark also stars Laura Linney, Julia Garner and Sofia Hublitz.
Emily in Paris
Marketing executive Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) is sent to work at her company's Paris branch in this 2020 hit. The fashion-infused show follows Emily as she navigates friendships, new romantic interests and plenty of career hijinks. Season 4 will be split in two, with part 1 premiering on Aug. 15, with part 2 following on Sept. 12.
Watch Emily in Paris on Netflix
Stranger Things
Courtesy of Netflix
Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp and Millie Bobby Brown on 'Stranger Things'This critically acclaimed sci-fi horror series features a cast of young friends (Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink and Gaten Matarazzo) growing up in small-town Indiana in the 1980s. The teens encounter mystery after mystery, including supernatural creatures and a government cover-up. The upcoming fifth season will be the show’s last.
Watch Stranger Things on Netflix
The Queen's Gambit
When The Queen's Gambit was released in 2020, it left fans anxiously waiting for a follow-up season. Set during the Cold War, this adaptation follows orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), who faces addiction while competing against world-renowned players.
Watch The Queen's Gambit on Netflix
House of Cards
This early Netflix original stars Robin Wright, Kate Mara, Rachel Brosnahan and more. The political saga chronicles high-ranking politicians making their way through the U.S. government — with plenty of drama along the way.
Watch House of Cards on Netflix
You
This psychological thriller starring Penn Badgley was an instant hit for Netflix in 2018. Badgley plays Joe Goldberg, a bookstore manager who turns his intense crushes into sinister relationships through social media stalking and dark obsession. The upcoming fifth season will be the series’ last.
Big Mouth
Big Mouth might be a cartoon, but the raunchy adult animated series features a stellar cast, including Nick Kroll, John Mulaney and Maya Rudolph. The show, created by Kroll, is about a group of friends going through the humiliating moments of puberty in hilariously honest and heartwarming ways. With seven seasons currently streaming, Big Mouth has been renewed for an eighth and final season set to air in 2025.
The Umbrella Academy
This action-packed series centers on seven adopted siblings born with mysterious powers. The siblings were taken in by a billionaire father (Colm Feore), who created the Umbrella Academy as a way to prepare the kids to save the world. After years of estrangement, the heroes reunite to solve a mystery about their dad. This series stars Elliot Page, Aidan Gallagher, Tom Hopper and Ritu Arya, among others. The show’s fourth and final season will be released on Aug. 8.
Watch The Umbrella Academy on Netflix
BoJack Horseman
Another cartoon made with adults in mind, this absurdist comedy about mental health, addiction and trauma has been a hit since its premiere in 2014. BoJack Horseman (Will Arnett) is a humanoid horse and once-beloved sitcom star. With support from human pal Diane (Alison Brie), roommate Todd (Aaron Paul), agent Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris) and former rival Mr. Peanutbutter (Paul F. Tompkins), BoJack attempts to revive his career and fix his reputation.
Watch BoJack Horseman on Netflix
Russian Doll
This comedy-drama series stars co-creator Natasha Lyonne as Nadia, a young woman in New York City who gets caught in a mysterious time loop on her 36th birthday. Season 2 follows Nadia as she uncovers family secrets and unravels her relationship with her mother (Chloë Sevigny). Russian Doll also stars Charlie Barnett, Greta Lee and Elizabeth Ashley.
Squid Game
This South Korean survival drama series became an instant hit upon release. In Squid Game, divorced father Gi-hun (Emmy-winner Lee Jung-jae) has lost all his money to gambling. When he's approached by a stranger to compete in children's games for an alluring prize, Gi-hun joins other broke players in a deadly competition. This exploration of class struggle also stars Jung Ho-yeon, Wi Ha-joon and O Yeong-su.
Dear White People
Based on the 2014 film of the same name, this series follows a group of Black students at the predominantly white Ivy League school Winchester University. The students deal with social injustice, politics and racism, using humor and irony to interrogate these real-life issues. Logan Browning, Brandon P. Bell, DeRon Horton and Ashley Blaine Featherson star.
Watch Dear White People on Netflix
Narcos
This American-Colombian crime drama is about the rise of cocaine trade in 1980s Colombia. With a focus on drug lord Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura) and his circles, Narcos dramatizes real-life conflicts and government attempts to control cocaine. Costars include Pedro Pascal, Boyd Holbrook and Paulina Gaitán.
Orange Is the New Black
Based on Piper Kerman's memoir of the same name, this series begins with Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), a privileged New Yorker who gets sentenced to prison when her past catches up to her. Over seven seasons, Piper adjusts to prison life, and the show later pivots to the lives of other women at Litchfield Penitentiary. Costars include Laura Prepon, Uzo Aduba, Danielle Brooks, Laverne Cox, Natasha Lyonne and Samira Wiley, among many others.
Watch Orange Is the New Black on Netflix
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
