Top 10 Best Netflix TV Shows of All Time

Narcos (English translation: The Drug Lord) is a biographical series about Pablo Escobar, the Colombian 'cartel kingpin'—one of the wealthiest and most powerful drug lords in history. The show’s allure stems from the turbulent life of Escobar, the cartel clashes, gang eliminations, high-stakes deals, and of course, the personal life behind the fame of such a notorious figure.

However, Netflix’s production of Narcos and the team's involvement was a risky endeavor, diving into the underground world of cartels. On September 11, 2017, Carlos Munoz Portal, the show’s location manager, was tragically shot and killed by a cartel gang while scouting filming locations in Mexico City. This event raised concerns over the legality of the show and the safety of its crew, but despite the risks, Narcos remains one of Netflix's greatest successes.

DETAILS:

Production Year: 2015-2017

Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama

Directors: Carlo Bernard, Chris Brancato, Doug Miro

Seasons: 3

IMDb Rating: 8.8

Based on the famous Marvel comic series, Daredevil (English translation: The Blind Knight) is the first collaboration between Netflix and Marvel Entertainment. The show tells the story of Daredevil, a man who lost his sight in an accident as a child and later grew up to become a street vigilante fighting crime.

Daredevil has been highly praised by superhero fans for its violent and blood-soaked action scenes, as well as the dark storyline, which is often more associated with DC films rather than Marvel. The success of Daredevil paved the way for Netflix to produce other Marvel-related series, including The Punisher, Jessica Jones, and The Defenders.

DETAILS:

Production Year: 2015-2018

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama

Director: Drew Goddard

Seasons: 3

IMDb Rating: 8.7

Following the success of Daredevil, another Marvel project was brought to life by Netflix. This is The Punisher (English translation: The Punisher). Marvel's The Punisher is an American TV series created by Steve Lightfoot for Netflix, based on the Punisher character from Marvel Comics. The series is set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, acknowledging the continuity of other films and TV shows from the franchise.

The show focuses on The Punisher, a Marvel anti-hero who uses violence to punish criminals. One distinctive feature of The Punisher that sets him apart from typical heroes, and makes the show stand out, is his ruthless and uncompromising methods.

DETAILS:

Production Year: 2017-Present

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama

Director: Steve Lightfoot

Seasons: 2

IMDb Rating: 8.6

BoJack Horseman (English translation: BoJack the Centaur) is a satirical animated series by Netflix. Created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, BoJack Horseman is an adult animated TV series that features the voice talents of Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Paul F. Tompkins, and Aaron Paul.

The series premiered on Netflix on August 22, 2014, and concluded on January 31, 2020, with a total of 77 episodes spread across six seasons. The first five seasons consisted of 12 episodes each, while the sixth and final season contained 16 episodes split into two parts, with 8 episodes per part. A special one-off episode was also released for Christmas on December 19, 2014.

Despite mixed reviews at launch, critics became significantly more positive as the first season progressed, and the following seasons received widespread acclaim.

Regarded as an adult television show, BoJack Horseman may be animated but is definitely not for children. Its satirical themes often touch on sensitive and controversial topics, such as political and social issues and critiques of Hollywood culture.

DETAILS:

Production Year: 2014-2020

Genre: Animation, Comedy

Director: Raphael Bob-Waksberg

Seasons: 6

IMDb Rating: 8.5

Sense8 (English translation: Super Sensory) also gained significant attention and is a notable inclusion in the Top 10 Best Netflix TV Shows of All Time. The series tells a supernatural story of eight strangers, each possessing unique abilities, who live in different parts of the world and are unknowingly connected through their powers.

As a result, the eight individuals face numerous challenges and confront various controversial scientific and social issues, such as instinct, sexuality, gender, and religion. Recently, Sense8 officially concluded after just two seasons, leaving many fans feeling unsatisfied.

The show gained attention for its portrayal of LGBTQ characters and themes, winning the GLAAD Media Award for "Outstanding Drama Series." It also received the Location Managers Guild award for transforming filming locations into an integral part of the show, along with a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music.

DETAILS:

Production Year: 2015-2018

Genre: Mystery, Supernatural, Science Fiction

Directors: J. Michael Straczynski, Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski

Seasons: 2

IMDb Rating: 8.4

The End of the F***ing World (translated: The End of the World) is an original Netflix series that tells the story of two lonely, alienated teenagers. They come from dysfunctional families and are abandoned by friends and relatives. Together, they embark on an adventurous journey to reach the ends of the earth.

With its bold, rebellious, and youthful violence, The End of the F***ing World quickly captured the audience's hearts, becoming a declaration of youth’s defiant spirit.

The End of the F***ing World earned critical acclaim for its script, storytelling, and how it handled the plot’s twists, as well as for the acting of Lawther and Barden. The show was nominated for Best Drama Series at the 2018 BAFTA TV Awards and won the Peabody Award in 2019.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 2017

Genres: Adventure, Romance, Drama

Directors: Jonathan Entwistle, Lucy Tcherniak

Seasons: 2

IMDb Rating: 8.2

13 Reasons Why is a mystery-drama online series based on the 2007 novel Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. It was adapted by Brian Yorkey for Netflix.

Centered on teenagers, 13 Reasons Why dives into a more sensitive and provocative subject matter. The series stirred up public discussions as it explores the suicides of young adolescents. 13 Reasons Why unveils the hypocrisy of society, the cruelty of crowds, the dangers of seemingly innocent pranks, and the apathy of parents, schools, and teachers. All of these factors push troubled teens to the brink of despair, leaving them with only one option: suicide.

Upon its release, 13 Reasons Why ignited intense debate and quickly gained widespread attention. Perhaps for this reason, 13 Reasons Why remains one of the Top 10 Best Netflix Series of All Time.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 2017-Present

Genres: Psychological, Drama, Mystery

Director: Brian Yorkey

Seasons: 3

IMDb Rating: 8.1

The number one spot on the Top 10 Best Netflix TV Shows of All Time is held by the series Black Mirror, which first premiered on Netflix in 2011 and is still ongoing. The show consists of various episodes, each featuring a unique story, but all revolving around the theme of technology.

The opening episode of the series portrays the British Prime Minister being blackmailed by a terrorist to live-stream a sexual act with a pig. The incident goes viral on social media, splitting public opinion—one side supports the Prime Minister, while the other sides with the terrorist, primarily out of curiosity and a desire for entertainment. The government attempts to cover up the situation using special effects and a stunt double, but when the truth is revealed, public opinion shifts dramatically in favor of the terrorist as people believe the government has deceived them. This powerful opening episode highlights the influence of social media.

Other episodes explore futuristic technologies, such as hyper-realistic VR and AR gaming, wearable cameras that capture everything seen by the wearer, simulated realities, and citizen rating systems. While these ideas may seem far-fetched, many of them are based on technologies already in development today, with the potential to become reality in the near future. Each episode delves into how these technologies, though advanced, come with serious ethical and societal consequences.

The title Black Mirror is inspired by the dark screens of electronic devices (laptops, smartphones) when they're not in use. These devices remain passive yet continuously monitor us. This concept is central to the series. On the official Black Mirror Facebook page, there was a provocative message claiming, 'Artificial Intelligence (AI) wrote the script for this show.' While this was a marketing stunt, it is enough to make anyone reflect on the implications of AI in our lives.

DETAILS:

Production Year: 2011-Present

Genre: Science Fiction, Drama

Director: Charlie Brooker

Number of Seasons: 5

IMDb Rating: 8.9

Stranger Things (translated: The Missing Boy) is another highly praised Netflix series. This American supernatural horror TV series, created by the Duffer Brothers, premiered on Netflix on July 15, 2016. The Duffer Brothers serve as the show's executive producers, alongside Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen.

Inspired by the works of Stephen King, Stranger Things tells the mysterious, chilling story of a missing boy. His friends, a group of children from the town, soon encounter strange and unexplainable supernatural events surrounding the disappearance.

The true brilliance of Stranger Things lies in its eerie, suspenseful atmosphere and the skillful storytelling that unfolds episode by episode. This show embodies the essence of 1980s pop culture, especially the mysterious, eerie stories popular in that era, combining nostalgia with thrilling mystery.

DETAILS:

Production Year: 2016-Present

Genre: Mystery, Horror, Fantasy

Directors: Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

Number of Seasons: 3

IMDb Rating: 8.9