Of course! Here is an article on the 25 best Netflix Originals to watch right now.
The 25 Best Netflix Originals You Need to Watch Right Now
The phrase “Netflix and chill” has become a cultural touchstone, but the sheer volume of content can lead to a new kind of stress: “Netflix and scroll.” With thousands of titles vying for your attention, how do you find the true gems? The answer lies in the platform’s own powerhouse productions: Netflix Originals.
From prestige dramas that sweep awards season to international phenomena that break the internet, these are the shows and films that have defined the streaming era. We’ve sifted through the noise to bring you the definitive list of the 25 best Netflix Originals. These are the conversation-starters, the binge-worthy masterpieces, and the absolute must-watch titles available right now.
1. Stranger Things
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror | A love letter to the ’80s
The Duffer Brothers’ creation is more than a show; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Blending ’80s movie nostalgia with genuine sci-fi horror and a cast of lovable kids, Stranger Things is a thrilling, heartwarming, and terrifying adventure that has captivated the world.
2. The Crown
Genre: Historical Drama | A look behind the curtain of royalty
A lavish, impeccably acted, and brilliantly written series chronicling the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Each season tackles a different era, offering a masterclass in performance and production design while humanizing one of the world’s most famous families.
3. Squid Game
Genre: Thriller / Dystopian Drama | The global game-changer
The South Korean series that took the world by storm. Hundreds of cash-strapped contestants accept a strange invitation to compete in children’s games for a life-changing prize, but the stakes are deadly. It’s a visually stunning, emotionally brutal critique of capitalism.
4. The Queen’s Gambit
Genre: Period Drama | The limited series that made chess cool
Anya Taylor-Joy gives a mesmerizing performance as Beth Harmon, an orphan chess prodigy who battles addiction and sexism on her rise to the top. This stunningly crafted limited series is a compelling, stylish, and deeply satisfying story of genius and obsession.
5. Bridgerton
Genre: Historical Romance | Gossip Girl meets Jane Austen
Produced by Shondaland, Bridgerton is a vibrant, witty, and incredibly popular take on Regency-era London. With its diverse cast, steamy romance, and anonymous gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, it’s a delightfully modern escape.
6. BoJack Horseman
Genre: Adult Animated Dramedy | A surprisingly profound look at depression
Don’t let the animation fool you. This series about a washed-up anthropomorphic horse actor is one of the most poignant, hilarious, and devastating explorations of mental health, addiction, and Hollywood ever put to screen.
7. Ozark
Genre: Crime Thriller | A family’s dark descent
When a financial advisor (Jason Bateman) is forced to launder money for a drug cartel, he relocates his family to the Missouri Ozarks. What follows is a tense, gripping thriller powered by stellar performances from Bateman, Laura Linney, and the unforgettable Julia Garner.
8. Black Mirror
Genre: Sci-Fi Anthology | A chilling look at our tech-obsessed future
Charlie Brooker’s anthology series offers standalone cautionary tales about the dark side of technology. Some episodes are terrifying, others are surprisingly hopeful, but all of them will make you think twice before picking up your phone.
9. Russian Doll
Genre: Sci-Fi Comedy | A time loop with a twist
Natasha Lyonne is brilliant as Nadia, a woman forced to relive her 36th birthday party over and over again. This high-concept series is a sharp, funny, and surprisingly deep exploration of trauma, connection, and breaking free from self-destructive patterns.
10. Sex Education
Genre: Teen Dramedy | Heartfelt, hilarious, and refreshingly honest
Otis, the son of a sex therapist, teams up with a classmate to run an underground sex therapy clinic at school. Sex Education is celebrated for its empathetic handling of teen sexuality, its charming cast, and its genuinely laugh-out-loud humor.
11. Money Heist (La Casa de Papel)
Genre: Heist Thriller | An adrenaline-fueled Spanish sensation
A group of unique robbers, led by the enigmatic Professor, plans to carry out the most perfect robbery in Spanish history. With its intricate plot, high stakes, and iconic red jumpsuits, this non-stop thriller became a global hit for a reason.
12. The Haunting of Hill House
Genre: Supernatural Horror | A family drama wrapped in a ghost story
Mike Flanagan’s masterpiece is less about jump scares and more about lingering dread and profound grief. The series follows the Crain family, toggling between their traumatic past in a haunted mansion and the present-day fallout. It’s as heartbreaking as it is terrifying.
13. Mindhunter
Genre: Psychological Crime Drama | The birth of criminal profiling
From director David Fincher, Mindhunter follows two FBI agents in the late 1970s as they interview imprisoned serial killers to understand how they think. It’s a chilling, dialogue-driven, and meticulously crafted series that gets under your skin.
14. Arcane
Genre: Animated Fantasy | A new standard for video game adaptations
Set in the world of League of Legends, Arcane is a triumph of storytelling and animation that requires zero knowledge of the game. Its stunning visual style and compelling story of two sisters on opposing sides of a brewing war make it essential viewing for everyone.
15. When They See Us
Genre: Limited Series Drama | A powerful and essential story
Ava DuVernay’s harrowing four-part series tells the true story of the Central Park Five, five Black and Latino teenagers who were wrongfully convicted of a brutal crime. It’s a gut-wrenching, beautifully acted, and crucial piece of television.
16. Dark
Genre: Sci-Fi Mystery | A mind-bending German puzzle box
When a child goes missing in a small German town, it sets off a chain of events that unspools across multiple generations and timelines. Dark is a complex, intricately plotted sci-fi noir that rewards attentive viewers with one of the most satisfyingly complete stories on television.
17. Never Have I Ever
Genre: Teen Comedy | A fresh, funny, and charming coming-of-age story
Co-created by Mindy Kaling, this series follows Devi, a first-generation Indian-American teenager navigating high school after a traumatic year. It’s a delightful blend of humor and heart, anchored by a star-making lead performance.
18. Lupin
Genre: Heist / Mystery | Effortlessly cool and clever
Inspired by the adventures of Arsène Lupin, gentleman thief Assane Diop (the charismatic Omar Sy) sets out to avenge his father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy family. Lupin is a slick, stylish, and immensely entertaining caper through the streets of Paris.
19. Queer Eye
Genre: Reality TV | The most heartwarming show on television
More than a makeover show, this reboot is a dose of pure joy. The Fab Five transform lives with their expertise in food, fashion, culture, design, and grooming, delivering tear-jerking moments of self-love and acceptance in every episode.
20. Roma
Genre: Film (Drama) | An artistic masterpiece
Director Alfonso Cuarón’s semi-autobiographical, black-and-white film is a tribute to the domestic worker who helped raise him. Roma is a visually stunning and deeply personal work of art that won three Academy Awards, including Best Director.
21. All Quiet on the Western Front
Genre: Film (War / Drama) | A brutal and unflinching look at war
This German-language adaptation of the classic novel is a visceral, horrifying, and technically brilliant depiction of life in the trenches of World War I. A multiple Oscar-winner, it’s a powerful anti-war statement that will stay with you long after it ends.
22. I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson
Genre: Sketch Comedy | Absurd, bizarre, and endlessly quotable
This is sketch comedy at its most unhinged. Each short sketch escalates a mundane situation to a screaming, surreal, and hilarious breaking point. Its unique brand of humor has created a cult following and an endless supply of internet memes.
23. My Octopus Teacher
Genre: Film (Documentary) | A surprisingly moving story of connection
This Oscar-winning documentary follows a filmmaker who forges an unlikely bond with a wild octopus in a South African kelp forest. It’s a beautiful, meditative, and astonishing look at the intelligence of the natural world.
24. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Genre: Film (Mystery / Comedy) | A blockbuster whodunnit
Daniel Craig returns as the brilliant detective Benoit Blanc, this time investigating a murder at a tech billionaire’s private Greek island getaway. It’s a clever, funny, and star-studded mystery that’s pure, unadulterated fun.
25. Maid
Genre: Limited Series Drama | A raw and resilient portrait of survival
Based on a true story, this limited series stars Margaret Qualley in a phenomenal performance as a young mother who escapes an abusive relationship and takes a job cleaning houses to build a better life for her daughter. It’s a powerful and empathetic look at poverty and resilience.
