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The Best Netflix Original Series

Updated January 15, 2021 308.5k votes 32.4k voters 434.7k views483 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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3,373
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 on Wikipedia
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2
2,036
1,083
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 on Wikipedia
3
7,108
5,513
Daredevil
Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): Drama
Daredevil (Netflix, 2015) is an American web television series created for Netflix by Drew... more on Wikipedia
4
5,130
4,595
Narcos
Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): Crime drama, Biographical
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5
1,162
718
The Haunting Of Hill House
Michiel Huisman, Carla Gugino
Premiered: 2018
Genres (Tv): Supernatural, Horror, Anthology
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6
1,144
823
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 on Wikipedia
7
2,725
1,868
Ozark
Jason Bateman, Laura Linney
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Crime drama, Thriller
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8
5,514
5,650
Jessica Jones
Krysten Ritter, Mike Colter
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): Drama
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9
1,569
1,460
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 on Wikipedia
10
6,923
7,040
Orange Is the New Black
Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon
Premiered: 2013
Genres (Tv): Comedy, Drama
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1,446
1,069
Altered Carbon
Joel Kinnaman, Renée Elise Goldsberry
Premiered: 2018
Genres (Tv): Sci-fi, Mystery, Action
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211
150
The Witcher
Henry Cavill, Freya Allan
Premiered: 2019
Genres (Tv): Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Drama
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2,374
2,400
Santa Clarita Diet
Timothy Olyphant, Drew Barrymore
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Comedy
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6,670
7,043
Sense8
Aml Ameen, Doona Bae
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
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15
1,548
1,377
Atypical
Jennifer Jason Leigh, Keir Gilchrist
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Teen, Comedy-drama
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16
3,301
3,513
Luke Cage
Mike Colter, Mahershala Ali
Premiered: 2016
Genres (Tv): Action, Sci-Fi
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804
776
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Warburton
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Comedy, Drama
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726
638
The Umbrella Academy
Elliot Page, Tom Hopper
Premiered: 2019
Genres (Tv): Superhero, Action
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2,166
2,489
The Crown
Claire Foy, Matt Smith
Premiered: 2016
Genres (Tv): Historical drama
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You
Penn Badgley, Elizabeth Lail
Premiered: 2018
Genres (Tv): Drama
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677
729
Lost in Space
Toby Stephens, Molly Parker
Premiered: 2018
Genres (Tv): Sci-fi, Mystery, Adventure
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935
884
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!

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884
762
The End of the F***ing World
Alex Lawther, Jessica Barden
Premiered: 2018
Genres (Tv): Comedy-drama
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4,228
5,385
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Ellie Kemper, Jane Krakowski
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): Sitcom
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Lucifer
Tom Ellis, Lauren German
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): Comedy-drama, Mystery, Fantasy
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Atypical