If you’re looking for the greatest Netflix series to watch in 2021, go no further. Every week, we update our list of the 30 greatest Netflix TV Series with fresh recommendations for series to add to your watch list, ensuring that you get the most out of the hugely popular streaming service. We’ve included Halston, Ryan Murphy’s latest Netflix miniseries starring Ewan McGregor as the namesake fashion designer, this week. There are lots of classics on our list of the top Netflix shows, from long-running faves like Stranger Things and The Witcher to more recent hits like Cobra Kai, Bridgerton, and The Queen’s Gambit. We want to provide you the broadest possible view of the service, including shows that Netflix acquires from other sources, such as Community or Hannibal. Using a VPN when streaming away from your home Wi-Fi will ensure that your connection remains private and anonymous, no matter what you’re trying to watch. ExpressVPN is our top-rated supplier; TechRadar readers can get three months free with an annual membership, and you can try it out risk-free for 30 days.
Halston
The new big program from Netflix mega-producer Ryan Murphy stars Ewan McGregor. This historical miniseries follows women’s fashion designer Halston through his ups and downs throughout the years, from his success in designing hats worn by Jackie Kennedy in the 1960s to his ’70s boom in fame as a fashion pioneer to his later struggles to stay in business. As the titular character, McGregor has a lot of fun, giving us a fascinating look into his life as an artist and businessman, as well as his personal struggles and professional accomplishments. It’s well-produced, and if you like pricey period programs like Mad Men, you’ll probably appreciate it — and it’s on the classier side of Murphy’s previous work.
Jupiter’s Legacy
Jupiter’s Legacy is Netflix’s most recent attempt into the superhero TV show market, and it’s one that the streaming service thinks will help it compete with Amazon Prime and Disney Plus in this burgeoning genre. Jupiter’s Legacy, based on the Mark Millar and Frank Quitely comics of the same name, subverts a lot of what fans have come to anticipate from superhero stories. There are plenty of twists and turns in the story to keep viewers interested, and it’s fascinating to see a group of superheroes strive to stay relevant in an ever-changing world. Season 1 might benefit from more action sequences, and the first few episodes can be overwhelming. But if you stick with it, Jupiter’s Legacy will reward you with a surprising conclusion that you won’t see coming.
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Shadow and Bone
In recent years, Netflix has had a lot of success with its fantasy television offerings. Shadow and Bone had a lot to live up to in a genre that also includes The Witcher, but it more than holds its own thanks to an exciting and winding story, likable characters, and plenty of drama. Shadow and Bone takes a few of episodes to get into, and there could have been a little more action. Shadow and Bone is a world you can easily get lost in – and one you’ll want to do so if you’re immersed in its tale and characters.
Murder Among The Mormons
Overall, Netflix’s true crime documentaries are a mixed bag, but Murder Among the Mormons is a standout. It’s about Mark Hofmann, a convicted forger and bomber who made incredibly convincing and sought-after bogus documents relating to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and this documentary follows his climb to popularity and final collapse. It’s less exploitative than a lot of true crime, and it’s an interesting story even if you weren’t present when the events took place.
Chappelle’s Show
Chappelle’s Comedy, a very influential sketch show that vanished from Netflix US last year, has suddenly reappeared after comedian Dave Chappelle struck a lucrative arrangement with the series’ proprietors. That means you can now see the whole run of this unique series’ brilliant jokes and recurring characters – including one of our favorite sketches, which faithfully depicts PS2-era Grand Theft Auto as it would be played in real life.
Lupin
The title ‘Lupin’ conjures up images of a slew of anime films, and the protagonist of this French series is inspired by thief Arsène Lupin. Assane Diop is played by Omar Sy, the son of a Senegalese immigrant who was wrongfully imprisoned for stealing at his influential employer’s request. Assane plots revenge on his employer’s family decades after his father commits suicide, utilizing ‘gentleman thief’ techniques inspired by the Lupin character. This enjoyable series is directed by Louis Leterrier, who directed The Incredible Hulk. With only five episodes accessible right now, you won’t have to wait long to finish it. Netflix will release a second five-episode installment later in 2021.
Bridgerton
Based on Julia Quinn’s romance novels, this daring and sexually intense Netflix historical drama has rapidly become the talk of the town. It follows a group of young socialites as they navigate a season of balls, betrothals, and betrayals in 1813 London – all while trying to outwit the enigmatic Lady Whistledown, whose “gossip sheets” may make or shatter a debutante’s image in an instant.
It’s mostly a blast, with snappy storytelling, vibrant costumes and sets, and fun versions of Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande performed on period instruments. Its diverse ensemble is also a welcome relief, demonstrating Bridgerton’s willingness to update and liven up a stale genre. It isn’t without its flaws, particularly in one particularly remembered episode’s problematic depiction of sexual assault. Given the talent on board and the positive response, we hope the show’s creators can approach the show’s relationships with a little more care in season 2 Bridgerton.
Cobra Kai
Netflix just acquired the rights to the Karate Kid continuation TV show Cobra Kai, which was once a YouTube original. After being defeated by Danny LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) 34 years ago, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) reopens the Cobra Kai dojo to educate a new generation of youths how to fight. This reignites Johnny and Danny’s old feud, with Danny serving as the show’s villain this time, a brilliant twist on the premise of the previous film. If you like the Karate Kid, you’ll enjoy this program, and both of the protagonists are in surprisingly good shape considering they’re in their fifties and executing battle stunts. Season 3 is now available on Netflix, and a fourth season of Cobra Kai is in the works.
The Haunting of Hill House/Bly Manor
If you’re seeking for the best Netflix horror TV show, look no further than The Haunting of Hill House, which will be followed by The Haunting of Bly Manor in 2020. Hill House is a narrative of a family who returns to their former house to confront the circumstances that pushed them away, a narrative with many truly horrific scenes brought to life by a fantastic ensemble cast (including Carla Gugino and Henry Thomas). Meanwhile, Bly Manor doesn’t quite reach the same terrifying heights as Hill Mansion – it’s about an American au pair who looks after some widowed children in another massive old house with plenty of weird goings-on – but it’s a gothic romance at its core, and admirably distinct from Hill House. On Netflix, both are worth binge-watching.
Big Mouth
Big Mouth has been such a hit for Netflix that the gross-out animated comedy has been renewed till season 6 – season 4 will premiere in December 2020. It follows a group of 7th graders as they face the challenges of puberty while living in New York City.
Hormone demons haunt each of the youngsters, affecting their decisions. It’s a little unpleasant at times, but it’s also a lot of fun, thanks to a brilliant voice cast that includes John Mulaney, Jordan Peele, Jenny Slate, and Nick Kroll. If you enjoy adult cartoon comedy in general, this is a must-see.
The Crown
The Crown was Netflix’s first major foray into a British prestige drama, such as those produced by the BBC. The show’s massive budget allows for a grandiose representation of Queen Elizabeth II’s life, which was first represented by Claire Foy and most recently by Olivia Colman in season 3, as well as a stellar ensemble cast. Even if you have mixed sentiments about the royal family in real life, this open-minded drama is well worth your time. Season 4 of The Crown, which focuses on Charles and Diana’s relationship and stars Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher, is now online, and it’s just as meaty and riveting as the previous seasons. The Crown season 5 is set to premiere in 2022, with Imelda Staunton reprising her role as the Queen.
The Queen’s Gambit
The Queen’s Gambit is a seven-episode Netflix miniseries about self-actualization, romance, and drug abuse. While the subject of chess may not sound intriguing, The Queen’s Gambit manages to weave it into a story about self-actualization, romance, and drug abuse. Anya Taylor-Joy plays Beth Harmon, an orphan who is taught to play chess by a gifted janitor before taking on the male-dominated chess arena. In essence, her abilities allow her to live a slightly better life, but at a cost. Even if you don’t know how to play chess, these competitive sequences in The Queen’s Job are thrilling to watch, and Taylor-Joy does an excellent job of portraying a girl whose amazing capabilities disguise the fact that she’s always battling addiction. This adaptation, based on the novel of the same name, has Scott Frank as one of its co-creators, who previously created another of Netflix’s best shows, the Western drama Godless. This is an excellent Netflix binge watch: seven episodes is the perfect length. It is well worth your time to watch.
Bodyguard
Jed Mercurio, the British writer and director behind Bodies and the engrossing, edge-of-your-seat police procedural Line of Duty, has just released Bodyguard. Bodyguard, on the other hand, ups the ante as the titular security officer (Richard Madden) is tasked with protecting a senior politician (Keeley Hawes) until their professional connection turns into a steamy personal one. It was panned at the time for not being realistic enough, but you won’t notice if you’re swept up in Bodyguard’s unrelenting, breakneck drive.
The Great British Baking Show
From The Chef Show to Sugar Rush, Netflix has a world-class selection of food programming. The Great British Baking Show, a popular import from the United Kingdom, has been a long-running favorite, currently in its seventh cycle. It’s about a group of amateur bakers competing to be the greatest, with themed weeks based on bread, biscuits, and other goodies to navigate . It can become a little dramatic at times, but it’s a very soothing show to watch. It was a huge hit in the United Kingdom, and now it’s catching on in the United States. Paul Hollywood, Noel Fielding, Prue Leith, and Matt Lucas are the hosts this year.
Schitt’s Creek
Schitt’s Creek, a Canadian sitcom, won the Outstanding Comedy Series award at the 2020 Emmy Awards, beating out The Good Place and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel. After all, why not? Eugene and Dan Levy’s sitcom about a wealthy family forced to relocate to a town they bought as a joke is both humorous and sweet, and it has steadily grown in popularity thanks to its Netflix presence. The series’ sixth and final season is now available on Netflix, and it is truly one of the best Netflix shows.
The Good Place
After airing on NBC earlier this year, Netflix now has the fourth and final season of the afterlife-themed sitcom The Good Place to watch. While the first season is still the best, seasons 2 and 3 spend a lot of time treading water due to a major plot twist, it’s still one of the funniest TV shows around when it comes to raw joke writing. And the characterization of the show’s four main characters – Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason – is motivation enough to keep watching. If you haven’t seen the episode before, it begins with Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) being taken to paradise after her death, despite being a horrible person during her live. The mystery of how she ended herself there, in a community governed by the entity Michael (Ted Danson), is gradually unraveled into a far more complex storyline.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Last Airbender is a modern animation series set in a world where a chosen few can ‘bend’ the elements (fire, water, air, and earth) to their will. Aang, a little boy and the last of his people, is the ‘Avatar,’ who will embark on a quest to master the four elements and maintain peace among his world’s countries. Even if you think you’re a little too old for a kids’ cartoon, it’s an anime-infused, beautiful-looking series worth checking out. The Legend of Korra, the sequel series, is now accessible on Netflix as well, so you’ll have plenty of episodes to watch if it turns out to be your thing. Because of the series’ continued appeal, Paramount Plus has announced that more Avatar shows are in the works.
The Umbrella Academy
As this whimsical adaptation of the Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá-created series of comics demonstrates, Netflix didn’t need to partner with Marvel to generate a terrific superhero program. After their adopted father is slain, superpowered siblings – the Hargreeves – reunite and face a looming catastrophe at Umbrella Academy. This breezy and enjoyable show almost makes up for the absence of fresh Marvel content coming to Netflix with a superb ensemble cast that includes Elliot Page and Robert Sheehan. The Umbrella Academy season 2 is now online, transporting the Hargreeves to a completely other world than the first, and it’s even better than the first, with a third season in the works.
Netflix Seasons: 2
The Last Dance
The Last Dance, which aired on ESPN before being released on Netflix, is the year’s largest and best sports documentary. This eight-part series focuses on Michael Jordan’s basketball career, specifically his final season playing for the Chicago Bulls in 1997-98, with unprecedented access and never-before-seen film from the time. Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman are among the guests who describe their respective roles in the team’s unstoppable run. Even if basketball isn’t your thing, the insight into what formed such a successful team, as well as the behind-the-scenes squabbles, is interesting. It’s currently one of the best Netflix documentaries available.
Dark
Dark is a deep, time travel-infused show that, once you’ve given it a chance, is completely engrossing. We recommend viewing all three seasons of this now-completed Netflix sci-fi show in one long sitting over the course of a few weeks just to keep up with what’s going on. We also recommend avoiding reading much more about it before you watch it: you’ll be amazed by how well-written and cast this German-language series is.
If you’re seeking for a drama that will challenge your mind, this is the best Netflix show to watch right now.
New Girl
Friends hasn’t been on Netflix in the United States in over a year, but if you’re missing it, New Girl is probably the closest thing you’ll find on the streaming site. New Girl (at first) is about Jess (Zooey Deschanel), who moves in with three strange housemates when her boyfriend cheats on her. It has a surprisingly prolific 145 episodes. Nick (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Winston are the housemates (Lamorne Morris). New Girl can become monotonous after so many episodes, but subsequent seasons are spiced up by the return of pilot episode star Coach (Damon Wayans Jr.) and the addition of Megan Fox to the cast after Deschanel goes on maternity leave. If you just want something light and entertaining to watch in the background, this is one of the best Netflix series.