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32.6k voters

The Best Netflix Original Series

Updated April 7, 2021 294.3k votes 32.6k voters 436.9k views316 items

List RulesOnly Netflix original programs, including individual seasons of series that initially aired on network TV

For years, Netflix has been the go-to way to watch your favorite shows and movies from the comfort of your own home. Initially a DVD rental company, Netflix quickly evolved to allow subscribers to have instant entertainment, including films, entire series, documentaries, and other programming. Want to watch your favorite TV show or movie? Cancel the drive to the closest Redbox. Instead, just login to your Netflix account and press Play.

In 2013, Netflix launched its first original series, House of Cards, which featured a star-studded cast and opened to rave reviews. Now, the Netflix streaming service offers original programming with innovative new television shows that are competition for even the most prestigious, long-established networks.

What is the best Netflix original series? The shows on this list may never have been made had it not been for Netflix’s ability to take risks. Their completely new shows like Orange Is the New Black and Master of None have been getting rave reviews and drawing in excited audiences from all over the world. Shows like Arrested Development got the chance to have an extra season of episodes that network TV would never be brave enough to air.

The television series on this list are each examples of Netflix’s potential to outdo every cable network in creativity and entertainment, so it's not hard to see how they make money. What are your favorite Netflix originals? You can also check out this list of 2019 Netflix shows and Netflix original dramas to know what programs you should plan on binging in the near future.

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Stranger Things
Winona Ryder, David Harbour
Premiered: 2016
Genres (Tv): Sci-fi, Horror, Supernatural, Period drama
Stranger Things (Netflix, 2016) is an American science fiction-horror web television series... more
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1,833
1,053
The Punisher
Jon Bernthal, Ben Barnes
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Action, Superhero, Crime drama, Conspiracy thriller
Marvel's The Punisher (Netflix, 2017) is an American web television series created for Netflix... more
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3
6,737
5,278
Daredevil
Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): Drama
Daredevil (Netflix, 2015) is an American action crime legal drama superhero series created by... more
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4
4,887
4,434
Narcos
Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): Crime drama, Biographical
Narcos (Netflix, 2015) is an American drama web-television series created by Chris Brancato,... more
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1,072
796
Mindhunter
Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Crime drama, Psychological thriller
Mindhunter (Netflix, 2017) is an American crime thriller television series created by Joe... more
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The Haunting Of Hill House
Michiel Huisman, Carla Gugino
Premiered: 2018
Genres (Tv): Supernatural, Horror, Anthology
The Haunting (Netflix, 2018) is an American television anthology series created by Mike... more
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2,606
1,823
Ozark
Jason Bateman, Laura Linney
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Crime drama, Thriller
Ozark (Netflix, 2017) is an American crime drama series created by Bill Dubuque. Financial... more
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5,253
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Jessica Jones
Krysten Ritter, Mike Colter
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): Drama
Jessica Jones (Netflix, 2015) is an American web television series created by Melissa... more
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1,483
1,389
The Defenders
Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Superhero, Action
The Defender (Netflix, 2017) is an American web television miniseries created by Douglas... more
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6,665
6,693
Orange Is the New Black
Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon
Premiered: 2013
Genres (Tv): Comedy, Drama
Orange Is the New Black (Netflix, 2013) is an American comedy-drama web television series... more
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1,297
1,020
Altered Carbon
Joel Kinnaman, Renée Elise Goldsberry
Premiered: 2018
Genres (Tv): Sci-fi, Mystery, Action
Altered Carbon is an American science fiction television series created by Laeta Kalogridis,... more
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1,493
1,304
Atypical
Jennifer Jason Leigh, Keir Gilchrist
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Teen, Comedy-drama
Atypical (Netflix, 2017) is a coming-of-age dark comedy television series created and written... more
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13
6,612
6,992
Sense8
Aml Ameen, Doona Bae
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Sense8 (Netflix, 2015) is an American science fiction drama web television series created by... more
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The Witcher
Henry Cavill, Freya Allan
Premiered: 2019
Genres (Tv): Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Drama
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Luke Cage
Mike Colter, Mahershala Ali
Premiered: 2016
Genres (Tv): Action, Sci-Fi
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Santa Clarita Diet
Timothy Olyphant, Drew Barrymore
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Comedy
Santa Clarita Diet (Netfklix, 2017) is an American comedy series created by Victor Fresco.... more
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2,360
2,360
The Get Down
Justice Smith, Shameik Moore
Premiered: 2016
Genres (Tv): Musical drama
The Get Down (Netflix, 2016) is a musical drama television series set in the South Bronx in... more
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A Series of Unfortunate Events
Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Warburton
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Comedy, Drama
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Everything Sucks!
Peyton Kennedy, Jahi Winston
Premiered: 2018
Genres (Tv): Teen drama, Coming-of-age, Comedy-drama
Love this show! Well written characters and captures the 90's highschool scene perfectly. I want more!

Everything Sucks (Netflix, 2018) is an American television comedy series created by Ben York... more
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The Umbrella Academy
Elliot Page, Tom Hopper
Premiered: 2019
Genres (Tv): Superhero, Action
The Umbrella Academy (Netflix, 2019) is an American television series developed by Steve... more
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You
Penn Badgley, Elizabeth Lail
Premiered: 2018
Genres (Tv): Drama
You (Lifetime, 2018) is an American television drama series created by Greg Berlanti and Sera... more
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The Crown
Claire Foy, Matt Smith
Premiered: 2016
Genres (Tv): Historical drama
The Crown (Netflix, 2016) is an American-British biographical drama series created by Peter... more
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Lost in Space
Toby Stephens, Molly Parker
Premiered: 2018
Genres (Tv): Sci-fi, Mystery, Adventure
Lost in Space (Netflix, 2018) is an American science fiction web television series created by... more
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4,085
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Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Ellie Kemper, Jane Krakowski
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): Sitcom
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix, 2015) is an American web television sitcom created by Tina... more
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Lucifer
Tom Ellis, Lauren German
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): Comedy-drama, Mystery, Fantasy
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Atypical

The Get Down